
==============================
CHESSU4 INFO FILE - OPTION "I"
==============================

What's new with this version? Version 3.5 June 1997

  Reversable board      - yes, it took some time but I finally fooled
		          Eric's DLL (use option "b")

  Win95 drag/drop       - all set to go now for drag/drop operations
			  and the use of shortcuts. No more typing
			  of long file names in remote directories

  ChessMaster 5000 	- import/export

  Bug fixes		- I found a few old ones. Let me know of any
			  new ones.

==============
TOPIC KEYWORDS
==============

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.

boolean_logic*
chessu3*
cm4000*
copy/paste*
collection*
diagram*
diagrammed_game*
ECO*
edit*
export*
features*
find*
figurine*
font*
drag/drop*
header_search*
hints*
lost_chessboard?*
ICC*
ICCF_notation*
import*
map*
map_file*
NORMAL.exe*
NOT_complement*
PGN*
pos_file*
position_search*
postal_games*
register*
registration*
setup*
shortcuts*
taskbar*
translate*
tree_search*
utilities_other*
versions*
waxman*
waxman.pos*


Features Overview (features*)
=================

ChessU4:

  - Reads and displays nearly all algebraic notations including annotated
    games

  - Exports and imports games to CM4000, CM5000, and Waxman's Chess program

  - Enter new games and set up search positions with Waxman

  - Show a whole game diagrammatically--or a single position by interfacing
    with Tilburg or Linares chess fonts. Shareware fonts also supported

  - Convert games scores to International Figurine notation

  - Easy to use header searches with optional Boolean logic

  - Perform position searches from known lines and game fragments

  - "Step back" position search to find most-similar games

  - Organizes large ASCII game collections

  - Record postal games with free-format bracketed comments and dates

  - Add ICCF international postal notation {5254} to a game score

  - Use copy/paste to quickly capture and review NET posted games even
    while remaining signed on

  - use Drag & Drop to start U4 or run from the Windows Run menu

When looking for a topic below, do a quick scan first (with your editor) of
all keyword occurrences before deciding which is the most meaningful
section.

REGISTRATION
============

For current registration information, see file ReadMe.txt which came with 
your download. ChessU4 is generally purchased as a package with other 
"U4" programs and utilities. Prices range from $10 (single program) to 
$35 (disk). For a validation to any and all U4 programs you have 
downloaded, the price is $24.

Also, contact:

       Paul Onstad
       70641.3236@compuserve.com
       paulonstad@msn.com


OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS (setup*):
======================

Place the files that came in the download in a single directory. At
minimum, you must have ChessU4.exe, ChesDll.dll, & U4KF.txt. See
ReadMe.txt for special instructions to use when installing over other U4
programs.

For using font diagramming and figurine, you must also have the file,
Font.map. Trial.txt contains sample games for a startup test.

For a quick test, run ChessU4.exe, pressing Enter at the main-menu
default prompt. Select a game number to play a game; use 'q' to quit.

Always use the latest keyfile (U4KF.txt).

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 registered ChessU4 in the past year and need a new validation
for keyfile U4KF.TXT, just drop an EMail note to the author. For prior
years, discounts are available.

Hope you enjoy ChessU4!

----------------------


SPECIAL TOPICS
==============


find* Section
=============

(Searching for games by header and/or game notation)

Games are searched using the "f" option. Appending an asterisk (f*) allows
you to save the found games to a file. Version 2.2 adds Boolean logic to
the find command, providing a wide range of control over searching.

A single "find" keyword can be entered immediately following option f...

	f kasparov

...this will find any game where "Kasparov" appears in the game text.

If the search string is to contain more than one keyword, enter
"f" (only). A following prompt will then ask for the string. Example...

	main prompt:   		> f
	following prompt:	> 23.Bxc3 Nxc3

(boolean_logic* find)

Complex find statements can be composed. These are always entered at the
prompt following "find" (f or f*) ...

	> f*
	> <A57>,<A58>,<A59>

...the < > characters enclose separate strings or keywords. The separating
commas indicate "OR" conditions. (If commas are omitted, the assumed
conditions are "AND".)

In a file containing PGN games with ECO codes, the above search criteria
would find any Benko Gambit game (ECO A57-A59).

Knowing PGN formatting, we can separate White players from Black...

	> <<a57>,<a58>,<a59>> <black "kasparov>

...the above is equivalent to the English statement: "Select any game
which has ECO A57 *or* A58 *or* A59 *AND* further qualify it to select
only such games where Kasparov was the player of the Black pieces.
In other words, select any game where Kasparov played the Benko Gambit.

Note that the extra set of brackets surrounding the ECO codes are
required. A clarifying example:

	Select if...

	1). <<a57>,<a58>,<a59>> <black "kasp>	*RIGHT*
	2). <a57>,<a58>,<a59> <black "kasp> 	*WRONG*

Item number 2 is wrong because all strings on a single level are
independent. Furthermore, all AND pairs are evaluated first so ChessU4
would begin by testing the game on the condition: "Is this an ECO A59 game
AND played by Kasparov?" If not, it would still go on to ask, "...OR, is it
an ECO A57 game OR an ECO A58 game?" The result would be ALL A57 & A58
games but only A59 games in which Kasparov was the Black player.

This can be seen more clearly with the order changed so that the last
condition is first. It would still be wrong however.

	When combining ANDs and ORs, used nested brackets

Item number 1 evaluates the nested << >> items first; obtains a TRUE
or FALSE; then, if TRUE, it goes on to test if Kasparov was the Black
player.

If you are acquainted with Boolean logic statements, you can create some
very elegant searches. Items can be nested to any level with ANDs within
ORs within ANDs, etc. Remember that the implied condition between two
keywords or phrases is always AND. If you want the condition to be OR, use
the comma to separate strings. Always remember to balance your brackets.

Incidentally--for what it's worth--none of the chess databases (even those
costing $350 and more) provide Boolean logic game searches.

copy/paste* Section
===================

If you have copied a chess score to the clipboard, you can quickly get it 
into ChessU4 by starting U4 and selecting option-7 (or typing "*") at the 
prompt. This makes it easy to play or proof scores posted in messages. 
Just copy, start U4, and paste. If on-line, the process is quick enough 
so there is no need to log off.

Quick access to an editor in ChessU4 provides many other possibilities for
copy/paste. Remember, to edit the current file, all you need do is
type "e". To edit any file while in ChessU4, type "e filename".

font* Section (diagram*)
=============

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.) It's already
set to go for the popular Linares and Tilburg fonts.

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).
Contact Steve Smith from Alpine on Internet: smiths@aca.nwc.whecn.edu or
call (307) 754-7080.

cm4000* cm5000* Section
=======================

ChessU4 now has both import*/export* with regard to ChessMaster 4000. When
importing, it will carry along selected annotations that CM4000 added.

To export, select a game first then choose option "x" (x-port). Once in
CM4000, select "Import" using the "algebraic" notation format option.

To import the format created by CM4000, choose option "y". This will save
the game (in PGN format) to a file.

Data for PGN headers can be added in CM by assigning full game information.
There is also a shortcut: in the annotation panel--before move one has been
played--type something to the following effect...

	Name, My - COMP ChessMaster 4000
	Swindle at Game in Five 1996
	1-0

Make sure you've entered carriage returns after each of the first two lines
by pressing Enter (as you type into the CM annotation panel).

Now the good part: if you've allowed CM to _fully_ analyze the game (Mentor)
and then exported to ASCII (from CM), ChessU4 will import the game and
convert selected parts of the annotation to PGN standard variants. ChessU4
does this by examining the CM evaluation score differences and then
including those where it thinks a mistake has been made.

The inclusion of annotations on GM games will fall somewhat short when it
comes to providing insight since GM moves are by far superior to those
CM4000 can produce. Still, the comparisons are interesting. On the other
hand, annotations are very useful to point out blunders in one's own
games (unless you're a GM!).

waxman* Section (import*/export*)
===============

Waxman is a shareware chess playing program available from most online
chess libraries.

To install an interface to Waxman chess, start ChessU4 and choose Option
9 (run settings) then option 2 (assign Waxman location). If Waxman.exe
is not in the ChessU4 directory, enter its full path name.

To export a game you are viewing in ChessU4 to Waxman, simply close the 
Chess Display Board, then type 'w'. This brings Waxman up on the screen. 
Open the game with <Alt/G Alt/L Enter>

A waxman pos_file * (.pos) file can be used to create the search file to 
perform a ChessU4 position search.

First, set up a position with Waxman, then save it (you can call Waxman 
from ChessU4 just by entering 'w'). Next, at the main ChessU4 prompt, 
choose one or two position search options...

	> p		(or p*)

...at the "Line Postion file" prompt enter...

	> waxman	(or waxman.pos)

ChessU4 will now automatically convert the line/game in the .pos file to 
a playable line. This conversion is done to a temporary file so it will 
not disturb Waxman were it to open the file again.

To resave a Waxman game or line as PGN, use the S* <save as PGN> option 
once you have displayed a Waxman game in ChessU4.

After exporting a game to waxman (w), the quickest way to open Waxman to 
your game score is: <Alt/g, Alt/l, Enter>

Note: in the case of drag/drop (Win95), Waxman opens to the c:\windows 
directory. You will have to browse back to the proper ChessU4 directory 
to find the exported .pos file (Waxman does not have drag/drop 
capability).

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 games that are selected
and saved will be ordered by how similar they were to the line in
question.

The position_search* is menu item "p" within ChessU4. Once selected you
will be prompted for a position file (pos_file*). The default location is
LinesU4.txt (you could also enter a Waxman-created .pos file--or just
"waxman"). 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. Matching is by board position--not notation.

You can create pos_file*s with Waxman, 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)

Incidentally, when using the p* position search command over several
iterations, and finding games at several depths, then saving to a file; the
most similar games will be ordered in the file from most similar--to least
similar.

edit* Section
=============

You can edit the current game file--or some other. To edit the file of
games just read, simply type 'e' at the main prompt. To edit some other
file, type 'e [filename]' (eg) 'e gamesu4'.

The default editor is Windows NotePad but you can install the editor of
your choice by selecting Option 9 (run settings), then Option 1 (assign
editor). (An excellent editor for large game files is DeskEdit.exe from
Norton Utilities).

When you have finished editing, always save the file and close the editor
window. This allows ChessU4 to restart using the changed information.

utilities_other* Section
========================

ChessU4 is just one of a number of chess utilities. (See ReadMe.txt for
information on obtaining all programs).

  NORMAL    - normalizer/proofer/game converter
  ECOClass  - classifies games, assigning ECO codes and descriptions
  PERTO     - repertoire analysis
  ChessU3   - mini-max tree searcher (chessu3*)
  HighRank  - professional/amateur game sifter/player name normalizer
  PGNSort   - game sorter and "dup" eliminator/collection researcher
  CChunk    - chess game file splitter/combiner/reorganizer
  ClassC    - collection color analyzer (full Windows interface)
  NIC2PGN   - NiCBase ASCII -> PGN converter
  CollEdit  - table editor/Event-Site name normalizer

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
perform various separations by notation, opening names, or ECO codes.

ECO codes can be assigned with U4 shareware program ECOClass. To search
out all games with a particular ECO code--or range of codes--one might do
either of the following in ChessU4:

	>f* C55

	  (or)

	>f*
	><C53>,<C54>,<C55>

	For a completely accurate search, find, eg, <[ECO "C55"]>

By choosing the "NOT component" file selection, one can effectively break
an existing collection into two new pieces--those just selected, and those
which then remain of the original.

When carrying out such an operation, be sure to use paper and pencil to
keep a log of files as they are processed. If done accurately, it is much
better to delete the original source once the two components have been
verified rather than wonder later what version is current. By appending
the selected games to a single file during several search passes, one can
accumlulate _all_ games of certain type to a single file. Again, use
extreme care and rely on a methodology. It would not be such a bad idea
either to take a backup first.

One of the best ways to organize and clean up collections is to start with
PGNSORT.exe. This will sort games by PGN header information or the game
notation itself. Using the latter, PGNSORT 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 more expensive 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, program NORMAL.exe* will quickly strip all
comments and reformat the game in paragraph style.


ICCF_notation* (International notation) Section
===============================================

To reduce recording errors while playing international postal, simply enter
your normal algebraic move in a ChessU4 document, then play and save the
game with the "u" (using ICCF) option. Use the output score to validate
both the incoming move you recorded and the move you sent. It's also good
for projecting forward lines and use in "if - then" sequences.

1.e4  {5254} 1...c5  {3735}
2.Nf3 {7163} 2...Nc6 {2836}


ECO* Classification Section
===========================

	[Note: (with v2.3.1) ECOClass.ZIP is now your best way of
	 assigning ECO codes.]

Many on-line 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 <franz@hemsoft.ping.dk>
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

To find games of the above (or other selected type) 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.

drag/drop* shortcuts* Section
=============================

To quickly open a game file, without typing the file name, it is easiest 
just to use drag/drop. This works especially well in Windows 95. Just 
click down on a PGN game file with your mouse, drag it over to the 
ChessU4 icon, and drop it. The game file will be opened. Now, all that is 
necessary is to select a game by number or do a list (l).

If you have several chess directories, it is not necessary to have a copy 
of ChessU4 in each. Rather, locate ChessU4 in just one directory and 
establish (Win95) shortcuts to it in your other directories. You may also 
wish to place a shortcut on your desktop. 

Be aware, in the use of drag/drop, that any output files, or auxillery 
input files, will always go or be taken from their pre-established 
locations, or, if default, the location where the actual EXE of ChessU4 
is located. Such defaults can be overridden only by the use of full path 
names.

lost_chessboard?* taskbar* Section
==================================

If using Windows 95, you may have noticed occasionally that a program gets
stuck in the task bar. The ChessU4 board display (ChesDLL) has its own 
task bar entry and when it is minimized, Windows does this by giving it 
coordinates far off the screen. If ChessU4 were to be accidentally 
terminated, the display _stays_ off the screen and normal operations will 
not bring it back.

Here's what to do: 1). Start ChessU4 and select a game (make sure "Chess 
Display" is in the task bar), 2). _right_ click your mouse in an area of 
the task bar that _is_not_ a minimized task (close to the clock is good), 
3). select "minimize all windows" then right click again and undo the 
operation. The Chess Display should then reappear once you select it from 
the task bar. (Some other right click options will do the same.)

hints* Section
==============

- Waxman (or CM4000) beat you again? Tired of limited openings? Choose
  games at random from collections; export to Waxman; then step back
  the game (without looking) a certain number of moves. Let Waxman play
  the losing side; see if you can achieve a win similar to that of the
  original player. Playing from real games may be much more
  instructional than getting the artificial positions which so often come
  from computer play.

- 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.

- 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

  Where Karpov had the White pieces and Kasparov, the Black...

	> f
	> <white "kar> <black "kasp>

- Do you play ICC*, chess.net, or FICS chess? Want to analyze your 
  weaknesses? Collect all your individual games together in a single 
  file (use PGNGrab). Next, separate them into two files: those in which
  you played white, or those you played black. It's easy with ChessU4...

        > f*
	> white "myhandle

  That will place all white games in temporary file, Toss, and all black
  games in Toss2. With ChessU3, open the white file. A high negative
  mini-max (rating) number will tell you where you are losing your games
  and which part of your repertoire you should concentrate on. (For black,
  a high postive rating points out your weakest lines.)

- 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.

- to quickly create a position_search* file from an interesting game,
  use the "s" - save single game option - then edit as appropriate,
  removing most of the end of the game but keeping the terminating
  result.

- 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. When splitting files in this way, work off a copy--not
  the original.

register* / registration*
-------------------------
For current registration information see file ReadMe.txt that come with
your download--or drop an EMail note to:


	Paul Onstad 	70641.3236@compuserve.com



Play chess! Have fun!






