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ChessMAGIC! v1.83f
(c)1991-92 Bud Bradley / KnightWare
(All Rights Reserved)
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USER'S REFERENCE MANUAL
by
Tom Brady
Distributed by
KnightWare
465 Ridgedale Way
Lawrenceville, GA 30244
(404) 978-2893
Decibel BBS
Atlanta, GA
Tom Brady, Sysop
(404) 288-6858 1200/2400/9600 (HST)
(404) 284-1152 1200/2400 (MNP/V42)
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ I N T R O D U C T I O N │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
This document was written as a navigational aid for ChessMAGIC! users and
is a subset of the master "Sysop's Reference Manual." This manual should
benefit all ChessMAGIC! users, whether their favorite BBS is running the
unregistered demo shareware package or the full registered version. Those
of you able to play on a fully registered ChessMAGIC! system, will enjoy
the many added benefits and features described.
Many of the standard features available in ChessMAGIC! are unavailable in
other forms of BBS chess programs. ChessMAGIC! will provide you with many
enjoyable hours of chess competition against computer opponents, as well as
your fellow (human) BBS opponents.
Depending upon how your Sysop decides to configure his ChessMAGIC! system,
you will be able to participate in various gaming areas (i.e. Rated,
Unrated, Teams, Tournaments, etc.).
ChessMAGIC!, unlike other BBS chess programs, uses the same algorithm for
calculating its ratings as does the USCF. These ratings will be consistent
throughout each and every one of your rated chess areas. Unlike
ChessMAGIC!, other BBS chess programs maintain no master records, so they
are unable to provide for maximum ratings efficiency and accuracy.
ChessMAGIC! is highly integrated in the fact that it carries only 1 rating
per player, no matter how many rated areas there are. All player data is
maintained in a centralized data base and shared by all rated chess areas.
This provides a more realistic rating system per board. More good news is,
all areas are accessible from the ChessMAGIC! menu. No more need for a
sysop to set up different door menu options.
- Page i -
┌──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ A c k n o w l e d g m e n t s │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Bud Bradley and Tom Brady wish to express their sincere thanks to a few
of the Decibel BBS chess players (Larry Phillips, Al Schrank, Jay Eidex,
and Warren De Mers) and a host of registered ChessMAGIC! sysops across
the globe for their suggestions, patience and encouragement.
- Page ii -
┌───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ T a b l e o f C o n t e n t s │
└───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Section Title Page
1.0 ALL ABOUT THE MENU 1
1.1 Menu Use and Option Descriptions 1
2.0 PLAYING AREA 3
2.1 Making Moves 3
2.2 Board Commands/Options 3
2.3 NotePad & Message Editors 5
3.0 USER vs THE COMPUTER! 6
4.0 USER vs USER IN REAL TIME! 8
5.0 GAME INQUIRY/DOWNLOAD 8
- Page iii -
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ 4.0 ALL ABOUT THE MENU Page 1 ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Shown below, the top box of the main menu provides the ChessMAGIC!
credits, registration status/name, current chess play area and whether
a single or multinode version.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ KnightWare ChessMAGIC! Version 1.xxx (c)1991-92 │
│ *UnREGISTERED COPY* │
│ GAME AREA TITLE Multinode Version Nodes = 2 │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
The menu selections are shown in the next three boxes. To select a
command, enter the highlighted letter and press <ENTER>.
┌────[ GAMES ]─────┐ ┌─────[ LISTS ]──────┐ ┌─────[ MISC ]──────┐
│ Play Your Games │ │ │ │ ? Help │
│ Start New Games │ │ Master Ratings │ │ Information │
│ Join New Games │ │ Who's Online │ │ + COLOR to Laptop │
│ View Games │ │ │ │ Design Board │
│ OTB REAL TIME │ │ * Area Stats * │ │ Select Game Area │
│ Play Computer │ │ Win/Loss Summary │ │ = Graphics OFF │
│ Game Inquiry │ │ Game History │ │ Quit/eXit to BBS │
└──────────────────┘ └────────────────────┘ └───────────────────┘
The last box shows player name, statistics and current game status.
The unregistered version will not update the wins, losses or draws
categories.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Wins: Losses: Draws: │
│ │
│ Accesses: Last Access: Your move in game(s) │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ 4.1 Menu Items and Descriptions ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
[ GAMES ] Commands
P Play Your Games -Used for actual game play. A list of your
current games along with play status (i.e.
flagged if your move) is shown.
* S Start New Games -Used to open new games as white or black. An
existing opponent may also be specified, thus
reserving games to prevent otherwise open
joining by any player.
* J Join New Games -Used to join open games that are awaiting
opponents.
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ 4.1 Menu Items and Descriptions {continued} Page 2 ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
V View Games -View any game currently in progress.
O OTB REAL TIME -Used to enable play against a human opponent
on another node in real time!
(unavailable in unregistered version)
* C Play Computer -Used to open new games against any of 10
computer players who range in difficulty
levels (i.e. 1 is easiest, 10 is most
difficult). Similar to command B, you open
games as white or black, but you then specify
the player by number.
I Game Inquiry -Used to view and/or download completed games.
(unavailable in unregistered version)
* NOTE: Upon using one of these commands, you must use command A to
actually play in your games.
[ LISTS ] Commands
M Master List - Displays master list of player stats/ratings.
H Who's Online - Displays online status of other nodes/players.
W Win/Loss % - Win/Loss/% summary of current area.
G Game History - Lists completed games detailing wins and
losses in current area.
[ MISC ] Commands
? Help - Displays detailed menu information
describing commands and their functions.
F Information - Product credits and registration
information.
+ Color Setting - Current display setting, will toggle through
three possible choices:
COLOR to Mono
MONO to Laptop
LAPTOP to Color
D Design Board - Displays game board in current color and
tile configuration, allowing user to
customize white and black squares to suit
their own tastes.
A Select Area - Used to move from one gaming area to
another, based on Sysop configuration.
Shortcut command is Axx, where xx equals
the game area number.
(unregistered version only provides two
areas)
= Graphics - Toggles ON/OFF for graphical interface
Q Quit to BBS - Exits ChessMAGIC! and returns to BBS.
X Exit to BBS - ditto
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ 5.0 PLAYING AREA Page 3 ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
The playing board is drawn using ANSI graphics. White pieces are
white letters on a black background and black pieces are black letters
on a white background. As shown, the pieces are letter equivalents:
P = Pawn R = Rook
N = Knight Q = Queen
B = Bishop K = King
Game data displayed includes game number, current move number, player
names, ratings and clock times.
The player whose move it is, is flagged with a "->" beside that
player's name.
The options box shows the available playing area commands.
The status box will display various status messages when needed such
as White Wins, Game Drawn, Message Waiting, etc. These messages will
be highlighted and blinking, so as not to be overlooked. All moves
and commands are entered in the designated "Option/Move" box.
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ 5.1 Making moves ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Algebraic notation (i.e. e2-e4) is REQUIRED when making ChessMAGIC!
moves. A delimiter is also required in move entry, consisting of any
character (i.e. e2 e4, d2;d4, b1=c3, etc.).
The only exception to algebraic notation is when castling. In that
case, you MUST move as o-o (king-side) or o-o-o (queen-side). Use
lowercase letters, NOT the numeral 0!
After entry of your command/move, press <ENTER> and the system will
perform upon your request. Invalid commands/moves will not be
allowed, nor acted upon and an error message will be displayed.
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ 5.2 Board Commands/Options ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
C - Used to display white & black list of captured pieces and their
corresponding point values.
D - Used to offer your opponent a draw, but only after you have made
your move. Until your opponent makes his next move, the draw
offer remains. Once your opponent has moved, the draw offer is
automatically removed.
R - Used to resign your game.
T - Used to take back your current move. This command is not
available during games played against computer opponents.
A - Used to accept a draw.
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ 5.2 Board Commands/Options {continued} Page 4 ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
I - Used to invert (i.e. reverse) the game board.
K - Used to kill a waiting game. If someone reserves a game and has
specified you as their opponent, but you don't wish to participate,
this option is available. The game will be deleted (i.e. it
never existed) without affecting either ratings or statistics.
Player's may only kill their own games and then, only when both
sides have not made a move.
L - Used to display a complete list of game moves.
M - Used to enter a message to your opponent (see next page for
detailed description).
N - Used to go to the [N]ext available game whether in view or play
mode. When in play mode, this will take you to next game in which
it is your move.
By specifying a valid game number, you can go directly to that game
without stepping through several others:
n34 (will step directly to game #34)
P - Used to access ChessMAGIC!'s Note Pad. This will enable you to
enter private notes (unseen by your opponent) to yourself as an aid
in the current game. (See next page for full description.)
F - Used to refresh the game screen in case something such as line
noise causes things to get jumbled.
Q - Used to quit from play mode and return to ChessMAGIC!'s main menu.
X - Used to exit ChessMAGIC! and return to BBS.
* SPACE - Used to abort the computer's "thinking" process.
* S - Used to resume the aborted computer "thinking" process
mentioned above.
* NOTE: These above two commands are only available when playing against
a computer opponent.
SPECIAL SYSOP/LOCAL COMMAND
* Z - LOCAL OPTION ONLY! Press uppercase Z, followed by <ENTER>. If
it's White's move when first Viewing a game, this option is
automatically enabled (i.e. local play accepted without Z press).
Use this option for each subsequent play, or IF it's Black's move
when you first View a game. This option inverts/reverses board
positions, so current player is at bottom of the game board.
This option enables the sysop to make rapid game corrections, since
the Take-back function is fully operational. If necessary, the
sysop can take back moves to the game's opening!
* NOTE: The Z option is available ONLY in local mode. Use the main
menu's D (View) option to use it in any/all games. BE CAREFUL
when viewing games, or you could have some upset users!
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ 5.3 Note Pad & Message Editors Page 5 ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
[ NotePad ]
Each player has their own Note Pad for keeping game notes within
each and every game. These notes are completely private and
unviewable by their opponents or other observers.
[ Messages ]
Public notes can be entered by each game player to their
opponents. Viewable by everyone, only the players of that game
are able to access the editing features. Users are notified of
waiting mail.
When selected to read/enter a message, additional message entry
options are displayed in the "status" window:
┌─[ Status ]────────────────────────┐
│ [L]ong [S]hort [V]iew [A]bort MSG │
└───────────────────────────────────┘
L - used to enter a long message, described below
S - used to enter a single line message
V - used to view long message
A - used to abort message mode, returning to play mode
Long Message Entry/Edit -
The game board will clear and in its place will be a message entry
area for up to 23 lines of text. Simply begin typing, hitting
<ENTER> at end of each line. Don't worry about typos, those can
be corrected by using the special edit features. However, the
backspace is destructive for immediate corrections, if you wish.
The <ESC> key can be pressed anytime to bring up the following
command options:
Commands: [A]bort, [E]dit, [H]elp, [S]ave, or [C]ontinue
These commands are explained as follows:
A - Used to abort the current message entry session without
saving anything.
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ 5.3 Note Pad & Message Editors {continued} Page 6 ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
E - Used to enter cursor placement mode for editing typos and
such. <NumLock> MUST be ON in order for cursor
positioning to work. Special editing commands are
available in this mode and are explained below.
Cursor movement corresponds to your numeric keypad as
follows:
Cursor LEFT = 4 or Left Arrow
Cursor RIGHT = 6 or Right Arrow
Cursor DOWN = 2 or Down Arrow
Cursor UP = 8 or Up Arrow
Other editing functions are performed with additional keys
on your numeric keypad:
Insert space = 0 or <Ins>
Delete to end-of-line = 1 or <End>
Delete character = . or <Del>
Cursor to "home" position = 7 or <Home>
Delete entire screen = 9 or <PgUp>
The Q command is special in that it exits from the
cursor/edit mode and returns to the command line options.
H - Used to display helpful information about editor use.
S - Used to save message and return to the game screen. The
opponent is automatically notified of the awaiting note.
C - Used to pick up where the cursor was left for continuing
with the message entry process.
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ 6.0 USER vs THE COMPUTER! ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
With the 10 levels of play offered in ChessMagic!'s built-in computer
chess program, your users have their choice of playing a beginner, a
seasoned veteran or anything in between! The advantage of playing
against a computer opponent is that they are able to play in real
time mode any time they like, rather than having to wait for someone
to phone in and move. If their time is about to expire, they don't
have to finish the game that session! They simply exit and the
computer will be patiently awaiting their return to pick up where
they left off!
ChessMAGIC!'s chess program also utilizes a library of book openings.
If it recognizes the opening you're playing, it will respond
immediately.
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ 6.0 USER vs THE COMPUTER! {continued} Page 7 ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
The computer players are always the first ten listed in the player
database. DON'T REMOVE ANY OF THEM! As a safety measure, The CMSED
utility will not allow deletion of the computer players.
The computer players are listed below by skill level. level 1 is the
easiest to beat, while level 10 is the most difficult. The times
shown are approximate "thinking" times needed by each player level
when other than book moves are made against them. The times may vary
according to CPU type and number of nodes, but were arrived at on an
i486-25. The test results were based on the first three Black moves
(ignore White's moves) as follows:
Black = Human White = Computer
1 = c7c6 n/a
2 = g8f6 n/a
3 = d8a5 n/a
Level Name Longest "Think" Time
----- -------------------- --------------------
min:sec
1. FREDDY FISH L1 :05
2. HARVEY HAM L2 :10
3. PAWN PATZER L3 :15
4. ROOK ROGERS L4 :20
5. WOODY WOODPUSHER L5 :25
6. SIR LANCELOT L6 :30
7. THE ARCHBISHOP L7 :35
8. QUEEN LIZZIE L8 :40
9. KING FISCHER L9 :45
10. ACE DECIBEL L10 :50
NOTE: When the computer decides its beaten, it will flash a "Mate"
message in the status window and the user wins.
Users and computer players begin with a default rating of 1500.
Provisional ratings are used for the first 3 games played in a rated
area.
On 8088/8086 systems, you'll find that the computer players just
don't have enough time to "think," thus making them an easy target
for users to build up ratings/stats. For this reason, you should
modify all ten of the computer player names as follows from "L" to
"X" as follows:
1. FREDDY FISH X1 2. HARVEY HAM X2
3. PAWN PATZER X3 4. ROOK ROGERS X4
5. WOODY WOODPUSHER X5 6. SIR LANCELOT X6
7. THE ARCHBISHOP X7 8. QUEEN LIZZIE X8
9. KING FISCHER X9 10. ACE DECIBEL X10
The ChessMAGIC! System Editor (aka CMSED) will provide you with an
easy method for maintaining your entire ChessMAGIC! system, including
any modifications you may need to make to a player's rating or name.
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ 7.0 USER vs USER IN REAL TIME! Page 8 ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Both players must prearrange to meet in the ChessMAGIC! door and
use the O command for OTB real time play action. Not counting
computer games, any active game may be entered for OTB play!
Once in the game play mode, the status box will display an "awaiting
opponent" message. A player whose move it is, may make that move
before the opponent arrives. When both of them have entered the
game, a notice will be displayed in the status box.
Game action is EXACTLY the same as when using the normal play mode.
Short-form messages may be sent to each other by using the M command.
Games in real time DO NOT need to be completed in one sitting, nor do
they need to be completed in real time! Play may be interrupted at
any point and continued later, either in real time, or in normal play
mode. ANY GAME may be played in real time, if your opponent wishes
to join you online!
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ 8.0 GAME INQUIRY/DOWNLOAD ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
This is a powerful feature and one that will be quite popular with
the serious chess buffs! The I option enables your users to view
game stats and DOWNLOAD any/all games (active or completed) based on
specific search criteria!
NOTE: You MUST have LHA v2.13 or later, in order for this feature to
work! Make sure it's placed where it can be found in your
system's PATH.
The following information will first be displayed:
Search Options Search Criteria Description
================ ==================== =========================
[A]rea........ : current game area
[D]ate........ : ALL date to start search
[P]layer...... : ALL first name is OK
[G]ame # Range : ALL low/high game numbers
[S]tatus...... : B Active/Completed/Both
Format [1] [2] : 1 CMReader 1=CMReader
2=Chessmaster 3000
Set criteria, then [V]iew Stats
or [R]eceive/Download Games
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ 8.0 GAME INQUIRY/DOWNLOAD {continued} Page 9 ║
╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Using the default settings, ALL games (active and completed) in the
current game area will be found when the V or R command is used.
To narrow the field of search, specific information may be entered:
[A]rea : Provides area change option, same as main menu
[D]ate : Games with dates prior to that entered will be
ignored.
[P]layer : A full name, first name or partial first name may
be entered (i.e. by typing in JOH, all games
matching the player name of JOH will be found --
this could be John Barley, Johann Sebastian,
Johnathan Daniels, etc).
[G]ame # Range: This would allow you to select a range of games
or even a single game. If single game, specify
that game number for start and end.
[S]atus : Self-explanatory. Completed, Active or Both.
Format [1] [2]: ChessMAGIC! will compile the selected game files
in a format compatible with either CMReader
(default) or Chessmaster 3000.
Note: When importing to Chessmaster, use the
coordinate move type.
Use the above search criteria in any combination you wish to narrow
your field of search to specific game information.
The V and R commands will display the game statistics based on your
specified search criteria.
If using the new ChessMAGIC! Communications Graphical Interface (aka
CMcom) utility, your users will told to return (they use <ALT-X) to
exit CMcom) to their communications program for downloading. After
the transfer, they will be told to shell back into CMcom for
continuing ChessMAGIC! graphics mode.
After choosing R (and seeing the games statistics), a list of transfer
protocols specified by the Sysop will be displayed. Choose one and
ChessMAGIC! begins sending the requested games in a self-extracting
archive. The archive's game file members will be named according to
the associated game numbers:
12.txt
23.txt
36.txt
...etc.
The file name is the game number, the extent will be a random number
assigned at time of download and is unimportant.
Once these members are extracted on the user's end, the games may be
easily viewed/studied offline. We suggest you download and use the
FREE program available on Decibel BBS as CMREADxx.EXE (xx = version
number) -- The ChessMAGIC! Offline Reader.