Short:    Chess based on GNUChess 5.0.4
Uploader: achim.stegemann@onlinehome.de (Achim Stegemann)
Author:   achim.stegemann@onlinehome.de (Achim Stegemann)
Type:     game/think
Version:  0.2

Requires: OS 3.5
          MUI 3.8

AmiChess is a new chess program for the Amiga.
The chess engine is based on the latest GNUChess version from
1999. Due to the GNU license, the archive contains the full
source code.

What the program can do:
* Read/Write of chess files in PGN and EPD-format.
* You can play against the computer, let the computer play against
  itself or use the program as supervisor.
* Usage and creation of an opening book. Several levels available
  for book usage.
* Chess strength variable by settings of time (move per time) or
  search depth.
* Undo and remove function.
* Let the computer show its best variation when thinking.
* Change the chess piece design "on the fly".
  Three skins are currently available.

Things that are missing or restricted.
* No localization, English only.
* No pondering (thinking while human thinks).
* Board not editable, only via PGN or EPD files.
* Pawn promotion to queen only.
* No solve for mate in chess problems.
* Fixed size of the chess board. Can be played on WBs of at least 800x600.

How to install the opening book:
The opening book is not included in this archive, because it is
about 10 MB of size! If you like to install an opening book,
simply follow these steps:
* Download ftp://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/chess/book_1.00.pgn.gz
* Unpack the file with gzip, UnArc or any other unpacker
  that can handle gzip-packed files.
* Start AmiChess. Select "Menu/Game/Book/Add ..." and select
  the unpacked book file.
* Wait for about 2 hrs for compilation to finish (on a 060).
  Ignore any error messages while compiling the book.
* After successful compilation you should find the file "book.dat"
  in your program folder.


Developer information:
* Binary requires at least an 68020/68881 CPU.
* Has been compiled with GNU 2.95.3 with "noixemul".

Some notes:
* I am not able to include pondering in AmiChess, as I am not familar
  with the chess engine. If you have any idea on how to improve the
  program, simply let me know.
* When saving a game (PGN) or a position (EPD), the program will add
  the current game to your selected file, if the file already exists.
  Unfortunately, the program will load only the first game in a file that
  contains several games. If you like to continue a game, it is recommended
  to save the game in a new file or delete the old game before!
  I hope to change this behaviour in future releases.
* Hint function is sometimes crashing the program. I don't know why.
  Best you don't use it. Use "Show thinking" instead for computer variation.
* Program requires a Workbench resolution of at least 800x600.

History:
V0.2:
      * ADDED: Can be opened on any public screen with the PUBSCREEN option, either as a DOS argument
               or as a tooltype in the program's icon.
V0.1:
      * FIXED: Game window didn't open on WBs smaller than 1024 pixels.
      * FIXED: Color of "side to move" only changed in supervisor mode.
      * ADDED: To solve above problem, smaller skins for screens of 800x600 pixels are available.
V0.0:
      * First public release