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Cyber Chess (1992) (The Fourth Dimension) ID: 10100 Version: 1.24 Developer: William Tunstall-Pedoe Genre: Board Game; Chess RAM: 1024 CPU compatibility: ARM2 ARM250 ARM3 ARM610 ARM700 ARM710 ARM7500 StrongARM ARMv5+ OS compatibility: 3.11 3.5x 3.6x 3.7x 4.x 5.x Legal info: Distribution rights granted to JASPP by Andy Swain (as author) and David Bradforth (on behalf of APDL) Download full archive:  (9.9mb)Download individual floppies:  Game info Launch the game directly on a suitable machine Synopsis Chess is probably the most popular game in human history. It has survived for fourteen centuries and is as successful today as ever. Now the Fourth Dimension has brought the full magic of the game to Acorn owners with Cyber Chess. This represents one of the highest specification chess-playing programs available for ANY micro-computer. Some of its main points are: SUPERB 3D SIMULATION
- A near complete 3D simulation of the game. Animation is used to move the pieces smoothly around the board; pieces are picked up and dragged by the human player to their new squares.- Designed for total clarity. The board is carefully arranges so it can be played from without difficulty. A large alternative 3D view is also provided as an option. - High-quality digitized stereo sound and speech. RISC OS COMPLIANT
- Runs from the desktop in a window; fully multi-tasking and intuitive; follows the 3D style often associated with high quality software.- Multi-windowed. Any number of games can be opened and running from one incarnation of the program (within available memory). A sophisticated internal scheduling algorithm allow Cyber Chess to drive all computer opponents/games simultaneously whilst still smoothly multi-tasking with other desktop applications. FIDE RULES
- Full implementation of all applicable chess laws, including en passant captures, underpromotions, 50/75 move rule etc. Even resignation and draw by agreement are supported.HIGH SPEC MACHINES
- Optimised for ARM2, mode 12 system. But takes full advantage of a faster processor or even extra RAM to produce a higher 'full strength' playing standard and smoother animation.- Thoroughly tested with RISC OS 3; supports saving of the desktop. SUPPORT FOR BEGINNERS/CHILDREN
- You can learn chess from scratch using Cyber Chess with the tutorial supplied.- 100 beginner levels are provided going from 0 (very very weak) to 99 (reasonably competent). This encourages beginners/school chess players to continue playing by not demoralising them and allows them to monitor their progress as they begin to beat higher levels. When they beat level 99 they can graduate to 'full strength' mode. - Teaching option shows you which moves are legal as you play. - If a player gets stuck a hint can be requested. - The names of the openings can be announced as they are played quickly familiarising chess learners with the various opening systems. SUPPORT FOR STRONGER PLAYERS
- State-of-the-art chess algorithm.- Cyber Chess can perform analysis, giving the best line of play from the current position and an estimate of who is winning/losing and by how much. - Full tournament time controls (e.g. "40 moves in 2 hours and then all remaining in 1 hour") can be set up. Time controls can be set for human players as well as computer opponents to simulate real tournament conditions. - State-of-the-art opening book supports opening traps and advices. Multiple books are provided and new ones can be added or existing ones edited. - Even the style of computer play (defensive, attacking etc.) can be adjusted to taste or to prepare for a match against a similar human opponent. THE AUTHOR
- The author, William Tunstall-Pedoe, has been developing commercial software for Acorn machines for nearly ten years including several high-quality Archimedes products. He has a First Class Honours degree in Computer Science from Cambridge University and spent over a year studying computer chess research in order to produce Cyber Chess. This project is by far is most substantial yet and was designed from the beginning to be the definitive chess-playing program for RISC OS machines.
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