MASTERCHESS Mastertronic version (different from Mikro-Gen version) THE GAME Masterchess has been designed to be a no-frills chess playing program of advanced ability which is easy to use. Special emphasis has been placed on providing facilities useful to those wishing to improve their game as well as just pass a pleasant hour or three. To this end it is possible to review an entire game step-by- step, or re-arrange the pieces to make a point, or even build up a position starting with a blank board. Handy for solving chess problems or practising your end game! Early in the development of Masterchess, the 3-D, or perspective, view of the chess board was investigated and discarded. It is difficult to use on-screen and wastes a large amount of memory. The savings have gone into strengthening the computer opponent. CONTROLS Joystick or Keyboard Keys are redefinable, or use: Q - Up A - Down O - Left P - Right Move the cursor arrow onto the chess piece you wish to move, press space to pick it up, reposition the piece using the arrows and press space again to deposit it in its new position. USING THE PROGRAM Upon loading, the game will ask you which colour you wish to play. Type in (B)lack or (W)hite. You then set the opponent's level of play, by deciding how long you wish to allow it to think over each move. Type in a number of seconds and RETURN. Although just about any whole number will be accepted, we would suggest that you start with a level around 30 seconds and take it from there. At 60 seconds Masterchess will beat most average players most of the time. If you fancy your chances move up to 180 seconds and then beyond 600 for a good thrashing! Should you get fed up waiting - or just wish to pressure the computer a little, hit RETURN whilst it's thinking. This forces it to play its best move so far, at the moment you push the button. Also while the machine is considering, you can view which pieces have been taken by hitting the space bar. Hit it again to resume normality. (This does not affect the machine's thinking.) The same display can be obtained during your turn by holding down the space bar. Pressing RETURN during your turn brings up the option menu. Press the number key corresponding to the option you wish to call up. Taking each in turn:- 1. RETURN (from menu) Returns you to the game. 2. SET LEVEL Enter the number of seconds, then RETURN. 3. RE-ARRANGE Allows you to put pieces on any square, or take them off, WITHOUT RESTRICTION. Careful! Works from the current game position. You will be asked which square you wish to move onto. Move the cursor onto the square you require, and press fire to select it. Press RETURN to get out of the option. 4. SET-UP Works as above, but starts with a blank board. Once complete press RETURN to begin play and RETURN again to get back to the menu. 5. REPLAY Plays through the game from the start, or from the last use of (4) or (3), to the current position. Hit any key to carry on one move or hold down the space bar for continuous action. 6. LOAD GAME Loads in a previously saved position. Follow on-screen instructions. 7. SAVE GAME Saves current position onto a (blank!!) tape. Again, follow on-screen instructions. 8. NEW GAME Restarts from scratch, with the colour choice and level setting prompts. LOADING INSTRUCTIONS Type LOAD "" and press ENTER.