NAME

chess − the game of chess

SYNOPSIS

/usr/games/chess

DESCRIPTION

Chess is a computer program that plays class D chess.  Moves may be given either in standard (descriptive) notation or in algebraic notation.  The symbol + must be placed at the end of a line when the move on that line places the opponent’s king in check.  o-o and o-o-o specify castling, king side or queen side, respectively. 

The user is prompted for a move or command by a ∗.  To play black, type first at the onset of the game.  To print a copy of the board in play, type a carriage return only.  Each move is echoed in the appropriate notation, followed by the program’s reply.  Near the middle and end games, the program can take considerable time in computing its moves. 

A ?  or help may be typed to get a help message that briefly describes the possible commands. 

Execute /usr/games/chessrules for further explanation. 

FILES

/usr/lib/bookopening “book”
/usr/games/chessrulesexecutable “rules” file

DIAGNOSTICS

The most cryptic diagnostic is “eh?” which means that the input was syntactically incorrect. 

BUGS

Pawns may be promoted only to queens. 

May 16, 1980  —  PDP-11 only