3/11/99

PocketChess v1.1

by Tinyware, Inc
scottlu@eskimo.com
http://www.eskimo.com/~scottlu

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Sections in this document:

1> Intro
2> How to play
3> Features of PocketChess v1.1

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1. Intro

Welcome to the v. 1.1 release of PocketChess for Pilot!
PocketChess is a full featured Chess playing program
for your Pilot. PocketChess runs on all 3Com handheld models
(to date, Palms, PalmPilots, and original Pilots).

This is a fully functioning version of PocketChess. Please
support future PocketChess development by registering for $15 at:

http://www.digibuy.com/cgi-bin/order.html?scottlu

I will send you a note of gratitude for your support, and notify
you for beta and release versions of PocketChess v2.0!

PocketChess v2.0 is under development! If you have feature requests
and suggestions, now is a great time to send me some email.

Enjoy!

Scott Ludwig
scottlu@eskimo.com
http://www.eskimo.com/~scottlu

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PocketChess plays a standard game of chess and is intuitive to use.
There are a few things to know:

Menus

- To access all the features in PocketChess, tap on the menu button found
  at the lower left of the Pilot screen, just left of the graffiti area.
  That'll pull down the PocketChess menu, giving you access to all the
  PocketChess commands. Or if you wish, use the menu shortcut by writing
  the letter of the shortcut directly in the graffiti area (no shortcut
  stroke required!)

Castling

- If the castle situation is legal, move your king two squares to the
  left for a queen side castle, two squares to the right for a king side
  castle

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Minor issue on Palms

Starting with the PalmIII device, when viewing the applications list in
icon view mode (as opposed to list view mode), the name "PocketChess"
is clipped to say "PocketChes". This is unfortunate in my opinion. It
is correctly viewed as "PocketChess" in other situations - list view,
delete..., beam..., category..., info..., and it was correct on Pilot
1000, 5000, and PalmPilot devices. In addition it looks like there is
just enough room in the Palm device hilight square to not clip off the
last 's'. I have not decided to change the name of PocketChess, so for
those in icon view mode it'll remain "PocketChes"! To change to list
view mode, bring up the application list, tap on menu, Options,
Preferences..., tap View By: and select "List". Hit Ok.

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3. Features of PocketChess v. 1.1

- A drag / drop move as well as a tap, tap move UI for moving pieces
- Square selection cursor for detailing from, to positions of a chess
  move.
- You vs. Pilot, You vs. Another Player, and Pilot vs. Pilot play. 
- 8 levels of difficulty 
- Playing status includes white / black player indicator, turn 
indicator, last move indicator (in algebraic notation), last piece 
played indicator. 
- Ability to turn off status for larger board size 
- Board setup mode to set up hypothetical chess positions and then play 
them 
- Undo Move command to undo moves. Remembers all moves back to the very 
first move. 
- Hint command. Proposes strategic moves for your pieces. 
- Skip Move command allows you to forgo your move 
- Reverse Board command to flip board presentation 
- Switch sides command which allows you to switch between playing black 
or white sides. 
- New game command 
- Current game is always saved if you switch to another Pilot 
application during play. Last game played is reloaded whenever chess 
is loaded again. 
- Game play allows you to issue any command during game play (even play 
level and play mode). 
- Sound effects to liven game play, including special sound effects for 
check, checkmate, and pawn promotion. Sound effects can be turned off.
- A built in 80 game opening move library
- Animated computer piece move, also used in hint and undo.
- Menu shortcuts (using graffiti command strokes)

Thank you for playing PocketChess!