SUPERCHESS II CP Software 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 3/4 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 "" CODE, by pressing the following keys - J (for LOAD) symbol shift and P twice (for "") and caps shift with symbol shift followed by I (for CODE) and press the ENTER key. 5. Start the tape recorder playing. If the program fails to load, approximate load time, 2 3/4 minutes, 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 1982. 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 resonsibility 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 'SUPERCHESS II' --------------------- 'SUPERCHESS II' has 7 levels of play numbered 0 to 6. Starting at level 0 the play becomes progressively stronger with each successive level. Overall response times for the first 5 levels (0 to 4) are within tournament time limits. For example, a typical response time at level 0 is 5 seconds, and at level 1 is 8 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. The higher levels of play are suitable for extended games, similar to postal chess, and for problem solving. In the same way that many players learn several standard openings, 'SUPERCHESS II' 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. White always starts at the bottom of the display and, as a reminder, the white player is indicated below the board, for example, if the SPECTRUM is white then the message - 'I am WHITE' is displayed. The display also includes a list of the previous (up to 16) moves, the playing level. 'SUPERCHESS II' also provides several other features, which can be selected either before or during a game, these are: HELP, this lists the available options. RECOMMENDED MOVE, if you can't decide on your next move then, this option recommends a move that you might play. SELF PLAY, allows you to sit back and watch 'SUPERCHESS II' play itself. RESIGN, this is the option to use when you consider the game is lost, you may get quite familiar with this! ANALYSE, allows you to set up and/or change a position by adding and removing pieces. TECHNICAL INFORMATION, gives brief details of the programs evaluation strategy. COLOUR CHANGE, this option allows you to select the colours of the display. PLAYING INSTRUCTIONS -------------------- To load and run enter LOAD "" CODE - ENTER. The program is self starting on completion of loading but before a game can start you are asked to select colour, playing level etc. Your responses to these questions should be entered using only the first letter, example 'Do you want Black or White?' if you choose white you should only enter "w"-ENTER. All responses and moves must be completed by pressing ENTER. Before a game you will be asked:- 'Do you want to "Play" or "Analyse"?' (here we assume play is selected) 'Do you want "Black" or "White"?' 'Enter playing level 0 to 6' 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 been 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" (don't forget to press ENTER). Note - lowercase letters must be used to enter moves. If you try to enter an illegal move you will get the message 'INVALID MOVE' and you should then enter a correct 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 "elgl", to castle queenside enter Held". 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 either with a checkmate or if you choose to resign you will be asked if you want another game. Entering "Y" for YES returns to the start options while entering no returns to basic and clears the program. During Play, several further options are available. 'Recommended move', which can be used only after the opening. Enter "rec" and a move will be suggested. You may now enter this or any other (legal) move you choose. You can change:- 'playing level' by entering "lev" followed by the number of the level required; the colours of the display by entering "col", you are then asked to select the colour of the pieces and squares. 'Resign', when you feel the game is lost or if you just want to stop the game enter "res", you will then be asked if you want another game. 'Help', used once the game has started or in the ana yse mode, enter "hel" to obtain a list of options. to get back to the game enter "p". 'Self Play', can be used only after the opening, to obtain enter "sel", now 'SUPERCHESS II' will play itself but you must press ENTER after each move. To get back to 'Play' enter "sel". Technical information, gives brief details of the program's evaluation strategy, enter "tec". ANALYSE ------- You can select 'Analyse' before a game starts by entering "a" or during play by entering "ana". The board and existing position will be displayed. The board can be cleared (4xcept for the two kings) by entering "cl". This can be done whenever the message 'enter "cl" to clear board' is displayed. 'Analyse' allows you to set up and change positions as required. To do this, you are first asked to enter the square that you wish to add a piece to or remove a piece from, this is followed by a request to enter the colour and piece code of the piece you want on that square (see table). To remove a piece instead of entering the colour and piece code enter "0" Each type of piece has a numerical code which must be preceded by the colour when entering. The table and prompts of what to enter are included on the display. The complete code is the colour followed by a number:- Black White Pawn Knight Bishop B W 1 2 3 Rook Queen King Remove 4 5 6 0 Examples:- To put a white knight to E4 enter "e4" and then enter "w2" To remove a black bishop from C2 enter "c2", then enter "0" To move a white queen from D1 to D5 enter "d5", then enter "w5", next enter "dl" and finally enter "0" One use of 'Analyse' is to set up a position and then play from there. To return to 'Play' enter "q" followed by a move or if you want to start a new game enter "q" followed by "res" followed by "y" and this will return you to the start.