
Legal crap -----------------------------------------------------

CHESS.EXE is a shareware program that is provided on an as is
basis for your use and(hopefully) enjoyment.  There are no
guarantees, written or implied about its performance, or anything
else.  It should work, and does on my computer, but yours is a
different story all together.  Also, if aforementioned computer
decides to explode on you, I am in no way responsible.  I am not
responsible for any damages to you, whether they be real,
imagined, or blatantly made up.  This program was compiled using
Borland C++ 4.0.  Borland International holds a copy write on
this little guy, and is in no way associated with me.  They are
not responsible if my program is a bad little boy either.  So, if
bad things happen to you or your mother in law as a result of
using this program, or any of the files contained therein, tough. 
It's not my fault.  Nothing bad should happen, but if it does,
don't blame me.  Further, this program is NOT freeware.  I expect
you to either erase it from your computer, keeping no copy for
personal use after a period of no more than two weeks, unless you
mail me an amount of money equal or greater to that set forth in
the dialog box containing registration information(2 bucks isn't
much to ask).  I'm broke.  I'm counting on at least some of the
American peoples' honesty.  Please, don't use this without
paying.  That's it for this type of crap.  I won't whine at you
anymore about money or legal stuff.  Enjoy.

End legal crap -------------------------------------------------

This program is designed to allow you to play chess against
another human via a phone line and modem.  To install it(you
already have if you're reading this, probably), all of the files
should be copied into the same directory.  Windows won't be able 
to find the .WAV files, unless they are in the same directory as 
the program, or the Windows directory.  To run the program, choose
file/run/chess.exe, or some variant on that, substituting the
correct path as necessary.  The two menus labeled White and Black
contain the names of the pieces.  You can select a piece from
this menu, then click on the board to place it there.  However,
there is a much easier way to set up the board.  Under the game
menu, the setup board option does this for you.  Now ain't that
cute?  Since the pieces look like crap, I recommend you play with
the board maximized.  This makes them *slightly* more
recognizable as chess pieces.  Sorry about the graphics, but I am
*not* an artist.  When you are ready to call your opponent, or be
called by them, go to communications(under the game menu) a big
old dialog box springs up when you do this.  Select the COM port
that your modem is on, and, if you are the caller, enter the
phone number and click OK.  If you are receiving the call, also
select your COM port, and check the Answer box.  When the phone
rings, click OK.  The modems will then handshake, and do stuff.
WAIT UNTIL YOU GET A MESSAGE.  IF YOU HEAR STUFF, IT IS BUSY.  DON'T
CLICK THE BUTTONS AGAIN!!!  You may have to override the connection
using the configure dialog box, if it doesn't realize it worked.
It doesn't always realize you are connected.  If it doesn't, try to
chat with eachother anyway.  If you can, just play.  The game is no
perfect yet.  The registered version should work better.
If you get a bunch of messages saying bad data, don't worry. 
That's just one of the little bugs I have to fix for the next
version.  Once more, if it reports that the connection failed, but you
heard the other modem pick up, and are scratching your head
saying, "What do you mean connection failed?", don't despair. 
All that is left to do, is move pieces.  With one more caveat
You click on the piece, and then where you want to move it. 
Click the buttons, don't hold them down.  That's all there is to
it.  If you want to put it down, put it back where it belongs.
If you accidentally make a mistake, take back the move, and
tell your opponent what the board should now look like.  If you
took one of your own pieces by accident, you both must replace it
from the menu, as the type of piece is not sent via modem, only
coordinates(yes, I'm working on that too).  
The rest should be self-explanatory.  If not, don't hesitate
to e-mail me.  Send any questions, comments, or
complaints(especially bugs) to me.  Be nice, I'm
only 16.  Here is my address:

DarkSea Software
102016.576@CompuServe.Com

or, if you're on CompuServe:

DarkSea Software
102016,576

Thanks for downloading this.  Good luck.  I hope you like it.  If
I ever make a registered version, it will be shipped at no cost
to those who pay for this.  No promises, but it will hopefully
contain better graphics, no bugs, and more options(like rules!). 
Any bitmaps of pieces that look better than the current batch
would be much appreciated.  Send them to my e-mail address,
please.  Bye,
     
     -Doug Vail, DarkSea Software

One more thing:
You can copy over the .WAV files with different sounds of your
choice.  Just keep the file names the same, and it should work.
Feel free to e-mail me any interesting ones that you have, also.
Thanks again.
