============================== CHESSU4 INFO FILE - OPTION "I" ============================== Topics: With the "Find" feature of your text editor search for the following topics. Those with an asterisk on the end have special sections. For a general search, leave out the asterisk. cchunk.exe* chessu3* collection* cost demo* diagram* diagrammed_game* ECO* features* find* figurine* font* header_search* hints* map* map_file* NORMAL.exe* NOT_complement* Option PGN* pos_file* position_search* postal_games* register* registration* setup* translate* tree_search* utilities_other* waxman* waxman.pos* Features Overview (features*) ================= ChessU4: - Reads and displays nearly all algebraic notations including annotated games (*new) - Interface with Waxman's chess program to study positions and input game scores - Show a whole game diagrammatically--or a single position by interfacing with Tilburg or Linares chess fonts - Convert games scores to International Figurine notation - Easy to use header searches - Performs position searches and ECO classifications - "Step back" position search to find most-similar games - Organizes large ASCII game collections - Record postal games with free-format bracketed comments and dates - Use copy/paste to quickly capture and review NET posted games even while remaining signed on * SPECIAL NOTE: Jack Woodbury's STARTU4.exe (STRTU4.ZIP) is now available. StartU4 provides a front-end for ChessU4 which has the standard Windows file dialog, allowing you to easily review ASCII game files on your hard disk and open them automatically with ChessU4. No more typing long DOS path names! CHESSU4 - VERSION 2.1 TIME-RESTRICTED DEMO 4/11/95 =========================================== Version 2.1 - Full-featured Demo 4/11/95 ----------- -Bug fix: {comment} just ahead of game terminator is now ok. Before, it would cause Logic Error 375 (chesseasy) (Thanks to Lee Young for pointing this out. Everyone else was silent ) Version 2.0 - Full-featured Demo 2/15/95 ----------- New Features -Full featured -Ability to handle annotated games and include comments in recorded scores. -New cleaner look for validated/registered copies Update History ============== Version 1.7.2 - 25 Game Demo unless validated by registration 9/25/94 ------------- New Features: -Step-back position search: a partial game line determines a position. If the terminating position is not found, the p* option will step back one halfmove at a time until one or more matching games are found. Version 1.7.1 - 25 Game Demo unless validated by registration 9/14/94 ------------- New Feature: -Complete game diagramming using a matrix of chessboards designed to evenly fill a single page or multiple pages. ...or boards can be spaced in even increments of moves including single moves. (Requires a chess font) Version 1.7 9/14/94 ----------- -Maximum game limit changed from 1000 to 4000 (if validated) -Diagram creation using such fonts as Tilburg* or Linares* -ability to translate games to Figurine notation -NOT_complement* on header and position searches -cleanup of prompts using more defaults Version 1.6.1 9/9/94 ------------- -position search capability added - see Topics above -cleanup of PGN games list - more header information is shown Version 1.6 Full-featured Demo ----------- New features: f* command - save selected game subset to a file reduced registration cost - now ChessU4 can be registered for only $10 just by sending in payment and receiving (via EMail) an activating registration number. Or, if you prefer a disk version that comes with the ASCII game tree_search*er ChessU3*, send in $20. This disk will also include ALL other ASCII utilities such as NORMAL.exe*, PGNSTR.exe, etc. Current registration information is always available just after choosing the Quit (Q) option. Version 1.5 ----------- Pulls the stops on the limits of a simple ASCII reader. It is now a games editor and is starting to take on some of the capabilities of expensive database programs with its "Find" (find*) game-searching option. It handles the new PGN* (Portable Games Notation) format developed at Internet as well as NTR (Nunn's Text Reader) format. Games with either of these two header styles now produce a much clearer tabular report when displayed by "List" or "Find". Finally, by interfacing with NotePad.exe, there comes to be a sort of copy/paste flavor to ChessU4. It's quite possible to sign onto a NET, see an interesting game posted, and have it on your screen in moments. Here's how, using WinCIM: (1) retrieve a posted game message (2) COPY the game score (3) start ChessU4--pressing Enter to open the default Trial.txt (4) select option "e fileName" (fileName can be a new file) (5) PASTE in the game score and SAVE with restart (6) the primary file is now [fileName]--select the game number Then if you also remembered to place a ";" in front of the game terminator and headers, you can have CM4000 analyzing the game while you're still logged onto the NET. Version 1.5 1/31/94 Option 'R' - restart. This allows changes made with Edit (Option 'E') to be reflected by opening the modified file a second time during the current run. Option 'N' - notes. Write game notes without leaving the application. Option 'I' - info. Brings up these comments. List and Find (find*) options now format PGN* and NTR game headers in a tabular report. Compatibility with ChessMaster 4000: set off game terminator on single line following the move text with a semi-colon, e.g, ; 1-0 Some move errors ignored: 0-0-0+ (now okay without '+') a8N+ (ditto) Version 1.4 1/26/94 (not posted) Option 'F' - find (find*) games with specified header information or move sequences. (Try this on a large collection: "f Bxh6") Reads long algebraic (Bb7xg2), computer (b4xg2), and short (cd) in addition to standard USCF notation. Now starts Waxman's chess program automatically (option 'W') PGN* bug fix: new 1/2-1/2 terminator was generating a move error on the second "1/2". Version 1.3 1/11/94 Option 'S' - save single game Option 'E' - edit collection Line numbers now advance as 'L' - list option is reselected. Notation errors are now indicated by move number and the game is listed. Version 1.2 10/21/93 Analysis interface to Waxman Chess Program Copyright (C) 1992 Check-Tech Software, Inc. Waxman may be found on many chess bulletin boards including CompuServe's Chess Forum (Hardware and Software library) Enter 'W' at game prompt to export to Waxman. Waxman can be started without quitting ChessU4. In Waxman, go to the "Game" menu then select "Load Game." Select the game a second time in ChessU4--minimize the text window, and you can have both chessboards active on the screen during analysis. Version 1.1 10/05/93 'H' for Help Menu 'L' to List catalog of games Inverted colors of DLL chessboard corrected Version 1.0 7/31/93 Basic collection reader--Trial.txt only (for best results, take the time now to print this file) VERSION 1.0 DOCUMENTATION: ========================= IMPORTANT: This is a Shareware DEMO. Unless validated, there is a limit on the number of times this program can be run. It should easily be sufficient for a good number of weeks or perhaps several months. It requires that a file, KEYU4.TXT (included) be placed in the executing directory. ChessU4 will not work without KEYU4.TXT. For non-validated downloaders ChessU4 has a limit of 25 games. If validated (or ordered) it will handle 4000 games. ChessU4 has installed Eric Churchill's new full-colored GUI chessboard. This requires that ChesDll.dll be placed in the executing directory or in your Windows directory. For chess software developers who would like to use Eric's DLL, drop Eric a note (see EMail address in "About" screen). Ordering (cost) To order ($20) or register* ($10), use the address below. Payment should be made by check or money order in US$. Paul Onstad CompuServe 70641,3236 (INTERNET:70641.3236@compuserve.com) 10168 Parrish Ave NE, Elk River, MN 55330 IMPORTANT: Don't put off registration* waiting for a new version. Once registered, your new downloads will be automatically validated. This applies to other U4 family utilities as well. If ordering the disk copy, all utilities are included--the tree_search*er ChessU3, NORMAL.exe, PGNSRT, NIC2PGN, CChunk, and others. OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS (setup*): ====================== Put ChessU4.exe, ChesDll.dll, KEYU4.TXT, this ReadMe (ReadMeU4.txt) and the chess collection Trial.txt all in a single directory. Run ChessU4.exe. Use 'q' to quit. If your copy includes .map files, put them in the local (executing) directory as well. This program can be re-posted as shareware provided it is accompanied by all the files just mentioned and that no changes have been made to this documentation or to the executing modules. Any commercial use is prohibited without prior consent of the author. Note: If you have the ChessU3 tree_search*er, there is no reason to keep two copies of ChesDLL.dll. If you place ChesDLL.dll in your Windows directory, it will operate for both ChessU3 and ChessU4--even if they are in different directories. If you have already registered ChessU4 and need a new validation for keyfile KEYU4.TXT, just drop an EMail note to the author (see application for name and address). Hope you enjoy ChessU4! ---------------------- SPECIAL TOPICS (I did this quickly. The spell-checker is OFF! ======= ====== font* Section ============= diagrammed_game* - Option d* - a complete game can be output as a matrix table of tiny chessboards. The translation is done with the aid of a map_file* which can be customized for any font. (The font.map* included is set up for both the Tilburg* and Linares* fonts.) Once option d* is selected, one has the opportunity to view how the arrangement of moves (output as tiny chessboards) will be configured. By setting the "vertical board" parameter to a high number, one is even able to diagram every move of a game. Each board is annotated with the move just played. To align these with the boards in your word processor, use the tab settings. The E/F parameter allows move annotation to be set to English notation or to Figurine. Spaces between boards horizontally can be set with the "SB" parameter. The "EI" parameter controls whether moves output are in discrete or proportionate ranges. ChessU4 can handle nearly any chess font by making appropriate edit changes to the font.map* file. The created output board diagram*s are output to a word processor. It also allow one to convert the notation of games in text files to figurine* notation. Font translations can be customized by editing a map_file*. (View the contents of the included file, font.map, with an editor or spreadsheet for information on such customization.) The two font options are "D - diagram*" and, "T - translate* to Figurine". Option d without an asterisk simply outputs a single board position diagram. Tilburg* is a trademark of Chessworks Unlimited. See the Tilburg font demo in CompuServe's Library 5, Hardware and Software. Linares* is a trademark of Alpine Electronics, 526 West Seventh, Powell, WY 82435. It is available by mail order for $29.00 (specify PC font). waxman* Section =============== Waxman's chess program can be very useful even without its chess-playing capability. An export to Waxmans from ChessU4 allows a position to be studied (since then, the pieces can be moved around). Waxmans is also ideal for setting up a game line for a position_search*. Just run Waxman starting at the initial board position; make the desired moves of the line; save as a pos_file* (.pos or .txt) then edit the file, adding move number 1. and a 1/2 (or other) terminator at the end (sample following). Sample file: waxman.pos* TL 600 <--delete these top four lines if you'd like ML 101 WT 549 BT 584 1.f2-f3 <--note move # 1. required--has been edited in e7-e6 Nb1-c3 Bf8-e7 g2-g4 Be7-h4# 0-1 <--terminator added (here the line was won! 1/2 would do just as well) Even though the game is missing the remainder of its move numbers, ChessU4 treats it as a valid game or line. A .pos file can easily be converted to standard, numbered notation with freeware program NORMAL.exe*. Sample file: pos_file* built with editor Line - Line [ECO] Opening Name 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Qb3 1/2 Create as many lines like this as you want and keep them in a pos_file*. The format allows them to be listed by ChessU4. The line at the top of the file is always the one used in a postion_search*. An example of such a file came with your download--file GamesU4.txt. position_search* Section ======================== (Note: The new option, p*, is the same as that described (following) except that it keeps stepping back from the original position line until a match is found. At any time when matching games are found there is an option to save to a file. If the option is not taken but the search is continued, the game selection accumulates to be saved later.) The position_search* is menu item "p" within ChessU4. Once selected you will be prompted for a position file (pos_file*). If the file exists and the line it contains is valid, the program will run automatically. Lines are specified just like games but are incomplete. Normally you would terminate them with 1/2. Even though the position line has a fixed string of moves, the games that actually are matched may have different sequences because of transpositions. You can create pos_file*s with Waxdir, by typing, or by copying a portion of an existing game. If the file contains more than one search line, only the top one is used. This allows you to keep all your lines/positions in a single file. To select one for a search, just copy it from the body and place at the top of the file. The position_search* allows you to save matching games to a file. Over time, you should be able to categorize much of your game collection using this method. (See also ECO*) utilities_other* Section ======================== ChessU4 is from a whole family of fine products . A brief description of some others that may be available either on CompuServe or by registration: ChessU3.exe* - ChessU3* ASCII tree_search*er (available by register*ing for the disk copy of ChessU4. ChessU3 works on game files (PGN and other) selected to a particular opening. It provides the most complete analysis of tree variations--even compared to the major database products: Chess Assistant, ChessBase, BOOKUP, and others. This is because ChessU3 sees all forward transpositions (unlike C.A. and CBase) and because it provides counts and win/loss/draw percentages (unlike BOOKUP) at each move node. ChessU3 has received praise from strong correspondence players. It can be used to particularly good advantage if you have a large database which can export ASCII in tight opening or positionally defined collections. Many such opening collections also are available for download from chess NETS. NORMAL.exe* - (download NORMAL.ZIP) Freeware to correct messy notation and also to convert game headers to PGN* from other formats. One thing Normal will do is to convert Waxdir pos_files* to full numbered, standard notation games. PGNSRT.exe - (download PGNSRT.ZIP) Shareware program which sorts PGN files and eliminates duplicate games. Duplicates can even be spotted where games have transpositions in the opening or different endings. (PGNSRT is the final program used to proof all games uploaded to CompuServe's chess forum.) CCHUNK.exe* - splits large game files into smaller ones with a specified number of games in each. Also assembles large files from many smaller ones by (for instance) copying a directory list to a control file and then cobining all the ASCII games in the directory. (CompuServe freeware-CCHUNK.ZIP) CMSTAT.exe - (download CMSTAT.ZIP) Interesting shareware program to use in conjunction with CM4000 and Excel. Automatically annotates games to PGN specifications and produces an Excel bar-graph showing the progress of a game. NIC2PGN.exe - (download NC2PGN.ZIP) Converts NiCBase ASCII files to PGN. All these utilities and more are provided when ordering a disk copy (see register*). Maintaining a collection* of games Section ========================================== With the find* (f*) command that saves a selection to a file (introduced in Ver. 1.6), it now becomes possible to organize collections. Here is one possible approach: 1). games of various types are acquired. 2). they are converted to PGN* with NORMAL.exe* and built up with CChunk.exe in large files (ChessU4 can handle up to 4000 games). Up to this point we have large ASCII files but the games are still in miscellaneous order. Using the find* command, one should be able to separate out the 1.e4 and the 1.d4 (with other) games. This binary organization is appropriate since 1.e4 games seldom transpose with d4. With games isolated, we begin to use position_search*es to refine the collection. As an example, we could create a pos_file* of common openings, keeping all the defining lines together in a single file (the game on top will always be used for a position_search*). Now, games can be broken out by ECO or opening name. At this point we have established a perfect method to use the chessu3* tree_search*er to find the best opening line in a collection of similar games. (See also, NOT_complement*, below.) CIS has published lists of opening lines including the _large_ NICKEY.ZIP and others covering ECO codes (ECOLST??). This might be worth a little research...REFINE* One of the best ways to organize and clean up collections is to start with PGNSRT.exe. This will sort games by PGN* header information or the game notation itself. Using the latter, PGNSRT will automatically flag or eliminate any duplicate games. It can even find dups where the openings have been transposed or where game endings are different. There's really not much you can't do with ASCII collections--even compared with the much more expensive full-featured chess database systems. It just takes a little longer. postal_games* Section ===================== White,Player A - Black,Player B ICCF Postal 1995 Sent Postmarked Received W Rflct B Rflct 1.e4 { 29-Jan-95 31-Jan-95 3-Feb-95 } e5 { 4-Feb-95 4-Feb-95 9-Feb-95 1/1 } 2.Nf3 { 10-Feb-95 10-Feb-95 14-Feb-95 1/1 } f5 { 15-Feb-95 15-Feb-95 18-Feb-95 1/2 } {expected 2...Nc6} 3.Nxe5 { 19-Feb-95 19-Feb-95 22-Feb-95 1/2 } Qf6 { 23-Feb-95 23-Feb-95 26-Feb-95 1/3 } 4.Nc4 { 28-Feb-95 28-Feb-95 3-Mar-95 2/4 } fxe4 { 4-Mar-95 4-Mar-95 7-Mar-95 1/4 } 5.Nc3 { 9-Mar-95 9-Mar-95 12-Mar-95 2/6 } d6 { 15-Mar-95 15-Mar-95 18-Mar-95 3/7 } 6.d3 { 19-Mar-95 19-Mar-95 23-Mar-95 1/7 } exd3 { 24-Mar-95 25-Mar-95 28-Mar-95 2/9 } 7.Bxd3 { 29-Mar-95 29-Mar-95 1-Apr-95 1/8 } 1/2 The above is a typical score being recorded during postal play. Any sort of brackets are permitted but { } are generally reserved for comments. Here a "1/2" game terminator is kept with the score until a result is determined. To later present the score, freeware program NORMAL.exe* will quickly strip all comments and reformat the game in paragraph style. ECO* Classification Section =========================== Many NET services have posted ECO (Encyclopedia of Chess Openings) line classifications. (Look for names like "ECORPT" or "ECOLST".) These can be used with ChessU4 to classify games. Below is an excerpt from Franz Hemmer's ECO Deluxe: ------------------------------------ D60 ---------------------------------- D60 QGD: Orthodox defence 1.d2d4 d7d5 c2c4 e7e6 b1c3 g8f6 c1g5 f8e7 e2e3 e8g8 g1f3 b8d7 D60 QGD: Orthodox defence, Botvinnik variation 1.d2d4 d7d5 c2c4 e7e6 b1c3 g8f6 c1g5 f8e7 e2e3 e8g8 g1f3 b8d7 f1d3 D60 QGD: Orthodox defence, Rauzer variation 1.d2d4 d7d5 c2c4 e7e6 b1c3 g8f6 c1g5 f8e7 e2e3 e8g8 g1f3 b8d7 d1b3 Franz Hemmer --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Just take one line at a time and save to GamesU4.txt (be sure to put a 1/2 terminator on the end). Next, do a position search with ChessU4 using the line run against a large PGN file. You can split your file of unknown games into a classified file and an unclassified one using the NOT_complement* save. While it would be impractical to classify an entire, large, random game file, most often you will just be interested in a line or two. ChessU4's position search will handle any transpositions. Once you've assigned ECOs to PGN games, use NORMAL.exe* to add English language opening names. hints* Section ============== - if a game collection for study is saved as "TRIAL.TXT" in the executing directory, it can be opened without specifying a filename (just hit Enter when ChessU4 starts up). - if the extension of an input file is omitted when answering a prompt, the application will try names by appending .pgn / .txt / .doc -- in that order. In the case of a pos_file*, it will try .pos / .txt / .pgn. - have a notation that ChessU4 can't handle? Run NORMAL.exe* - when using the diagram* option or when creating a diagrammed_game* (Option - d*), DO NOT leave a Diagram.doc file open in Microsoft Word. This is because MS Word "claims" the file and will not let ChessU4 open or close it. This can cause ChessU4 to hang if it is terminated by clicking its window closed (close/wait/ready loop). - if you have PGN formatted games you can accomplish header_search*es for White and Black (and other fields). Example: find* all games where Kasparov played White... f White "Kasparov ... or where Karpov played Black... f Black "Karpov - download a chronological collection of games such as the 852 game World Championship collection and find (with the position_search*) when a variation was first played. For instance, the Najdorf first appeared in World Championship play in Moscow, 1969, Spassky vs. Petrosian. (With PGNSRT.exe, you can organize your own collections by year or by sorting on any other PGN keyword.) - to quickly create a position_search* file from an interesting game, use the "S" - Save single game option then edit as appropriate, saving it as a .pos or .txt file. - the NOT_complement* save option of the find* and position_search* commands effectively gives one the capability to "subtract-out" the "found" games from a collection*... Think of it this way: Trial.txt holds a miscellaneous collection; I find all the Najdorf games with a position search--saving them as Najd.txt--then I save the complement back to Trial.txt. Once Trial is opened again, it will be missing all the games just selected. (This is a little dangerous if you make a mistake so try it only if you have a backup of your original source.) Closing.... if you have an innovative way of using ChessU4 or existing ASCII utilities that could help someone else, pass them along. I'll include them in these notes. -Paul [end of file]