16K SUPERCHESS ============== 16k SUPERCHESS is currently the strongest chess program for the 16k Spectrum. Three levels of play, set up and change positions, select colours of the display, change level and sides. TO LOAD A PROGRAM The procedure for loading a program is described in chapter 6 of the Sinclair SPECTRUM Instruction Booklet. For your convenience the procedure is summarized here. 1. Position the tape before the start of the program. 2. Ensure that the EAR socket on the SPECTRUM is connected to the earphone socket on your tape recorder. 3. Set the volume control to about 1/2 of maximum and any tone controls to: treble high; bass low. Alternatively, use levels that you have already found to be successful on your recorder. 4. Enter LOAD "" by pressing the following keys - J (for LOAD) symbol shift and P twice (for "") and press the ENTER key. 5. Start the tape recorder playing. If the program fails to load, approximate load time, 1 minute, press BREAK and try again with a new volume setting. If the program still fails to load refer to chapter 6 of the Sinclair SPECTRUM Instruction Booklet. CP SOFTWARE (C) Copyright 1983. NO part of this program shall be reproduced without prior permission in writing. While every effort has been made in the production of this program the publisher undertakes no responsibility for errors nor liability for damage arising from its use. The material on this tape and inlay card, or any part thereof, shall not be copied for use by any other person or organization, neither shall it be loaned nor hired. CP SOFTWARE, 17 Orchard Lane, Prestwood, Great Missenden, BUCKS, HP16 0NN ABOUT '16K SUPERCHESS' '16K SUPERCHESS' has 3 levels of play numbered 1 to 3. Starting at level 1 the play becomes progressively stronger at each successive level. Typical response time at level 1 is 2 to 5 seconds, at level 2 is 8 to 20 seconds and at level 3 is 10 to 60 seconds. The actual response time to any one move depends not only on the level but also on the complexity of the position, just as when playing another chess player. In the same way that many chess players learn several standard openings, '16K SUPERCHESS' is programmed with several standard openings. All legal moves are allowed including castling and pawn capture en passant. If, by mistake or design, you try to enter an illegal move it will not be accepted. The standard algebraic chess notation is used to enter and display moves. The co-ordinate system for this notation is included as part of the board display to assist those unfamiliar with the notation. The instructions which follow give full details for entering moves and selecting from the available options. The board display makes use of the SPECTRUM'S high resolution graphics and includes a feature where you can select the colours of the display. The board is set up so that white always starts at the bottom of the screen. Obviously a chess program designed for a 16K machine where some 7£k of RAM are used for the screen means some restrictions on what can be included. As far as possible the playing strength of '16K SUPERCHESS' has not been compromised and compares with the 48K version's first three levels. This has meant that some of the features found on the 48K version have had to be omitted. For example, it has not been possible to provide a moves list, however, the move number is displayed on the screen. '16K SUPERCHESS' features are:- ANALYSE, which allows you to set up or change a position by adding and removing pieces. COLOUR CHANGE, this option allows you to select the colours of the display. PLAYING LEVEL and SIDE, during a game you can change the playing level and swap sides by using the Analyse facility. RESIGN, this is the option to use when the game is lost or if you just want to start a new game. PLAYING INSTRUCTIONS To load and run enter LOAD "" - ENTER. The program is self starting on completion of loading but before a game can start you are asked to select colour and playing level. Your responses to these questions should be entered using only the first letter for example 'Do you want WHITE or BLACK?' if you choose white you should enter "W". All responses and moves are keyed in directly - the ENTER key need not be pressed. Before a game you will be asked:- "Play" or "Analyse"? type P for play or A for Analyse. (Here we assume play is selected) PLAY WHITE OR BLACK? SELECT LOOK AHEAD (1-3) - this is the playing level and indicates the number of moves the Spectrum will look ahead. When you have entered the appropriate responses the board will be displayed and all is ready to start the game. In fact if you are black the first move will have beeh made. Moves are made by entering first the coordinates of the square you wish to move FROM followed by the coordinates of the square you wish to move TO. Example, White wishes to move his queen's pawn from square D2 to square D4, enter "D2D4". If you try to enter an illegal move you will get the message 'ILLEGAL MOVE' and you should then enter a correct move. Note it is not possible to edit moves. If, before you complete entering a move, you decide that you want to play a different move - then spoil the present entry by typing in an illegal move. You will then have the opportunity to enter another move. Example, you intend to enter 'E2E4' but change your mind before completing the move - therefore enter, say, E2H4 which is illegal. The ILLEGAL MOVE message will be displayed and you will then have the opportunity to enter a fresh move. Captures are made in the same way as moves. Example, to capture a bishop on F6 with a knight on E4, enter "E4F6". To castle only the king move is entered. Example, to castle kingside enter "E1G1", to castle queenside enter "E1C1". Pawn capture en passant is entered as for other pawn captures. Example, to use a pawn on C5 to capture a pawn that has just moved from B7 to B5 enter "C5B6". On reaching the 'back rank' pawns are automatically promoted to a queen. Once a game has ended pressing any key will return to the start options. During Play, several further options are available. You can change the colours of the display by entering "V", you are then asked to select the colour of the pieces and squares using the Spectrum's normal colour numbers. Follow the prompts on the screen. Resign, when you feel the game is lost or if you just want to start a new game enter "X", you will then be returned to the start. Playing level and colour (side) can be changed during the game by using the Analyse feature. During play, to change level or colour, enter 'X' which returns to the start then enter 'A' which goes to the analyse mode, and the 'X' again. Now you can reselect the colour and playing level. ANALYSE The 'Analyse' mode can be selected before a game starts by entering "A" or during a game by entering "X" and then, when promted, entering "A". 'Analyse' allows positions to be set up and changed as required. This is done by first entering the square to be changed, then the piece type, next the piece colour and finally to say whether the piece has moved yet, (this is important for castling and initial pawn moves). To remove a piece enter "0" when asked for piece type. Simply follow the prompts as they appear on the display. The piece and colour codes are given in the table below. Black White Pawn Knight Bishop B W P N B Rook Queen King Remove R Q K 0 Examples, showing the screen prompts and the appropriate entries to be made. To put a white knight on square E4 enter:- 'Square to Change?' E4 'Piece Type?' N 'Piece Colour?' W 'Has piece moved yet?' Y for yes or N for no To remove a black bishop from square C8 enter:- 'Square to Change?' C8 'Piece Type?' 0 To move a white queen from D1 to D5 enter:- 'Square to Change?' D5 'Piece Type?' Q 'Piece Colour?' W 'Has piece moved yet?' Y for yes or N for no 'Square to Change?' D1 'Piece Type?' 0 To return to 'Play' mode enter "X" and then follow the prompts to enter your colour, playing level and whose move either W (for white) or B (for black). © CP SOFTWARE April 1983