Author: enrico carrisco
Date: 02:17:58 06/13/00
Go up one level in this thread
>I ask Eberhard and hope he can translate the page ! Here is a temporary translation for the CCC Forum. I will supply the full translation, including the translated .JPG images to Eberhard. I had promised him a full translation weeks ago, before the release, but my college final exams took their toll on my time. =). Hope this helps for now... -elc. =================================================== This program was written to allow ChessBase GUI-compatible engines, with assistance of WinBoard, play chess automatically on the three most well-known chess servers (Internet Chess club, Chess.Net, Free Internet Chess server.) This program has been tested with the ChessBase GUI, so other engines can be loaded through this GUI and used as well. You will need to meet the following requirements to successfully play your ChessBase GUI-compatible engine online: 1. You must have two computers. One computer with the ChessBase GUI-compatible engine (Fritz6a, Junior6a, Anmon 5.07, etc.) The second computer must have Winboard 4.0.x, and of course an Internet connection. 2. You must have a null modem cable, connecting the two computers together. INSTALLATION: Step 1: Make sure both computers are connected via a null modem cable using the appropriate communications (COM) ports. You will need to remember which COM port the null modem cable is connected to when configuring both thisWinBoard Autoplayer and the ChessBase GUI. Step 2: Start the ChessBase GUI on the appropriate computer (you will not need an Internet connection available on this computer.) Under the TOOLS menu, select CONNECT HARDWARE. When the sub-menu appears, select AUTO-232 0.9 and the appropriate COM port (that has the null modem cable attached.) You will need to do this only ONCE using the Fritz 6a or Junior 6a GUI. With the Fritz 5.32 or Hiarcs 7.32 GUI, you must click the SETUP button at the bottom of the screen, and then choose LOAD DEVICE. When the sub-menu appears, select AUTO-232 0.9 and the appropriate COM port (that has the null modem cable attached.) You will need to go through this process every time you start the Fritz 5.32 or Hiarcs 7.32 GUI. Step 3: Now select the engine you wish to use (F3) and the time control of the game (CTRL-Z). See the COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS section at the bottom of this document for more information on time control and Internet Chess Server (ICS) settings. Step 4: Now we will configure the computer that has Internet access available. You will need to have WinBoard 4.0.x installed, as well as this Autoplayer, WinBoard232.exe, available in the "C:\Program Files\WinBoard\" directory. Step 5: The Autoplayer is quite similar to other WinBoard engines, as far as the command-line is concerned. The following is an example of how you would configure the Autoplayer to connect to The Internet Chess Club using COM 2 as the null modem cable connection to the ChessBase GUI: C:\Program Files\WinBoard\winboard.exe -zp -ics -fcp "winboard232 2" -icshost chessclub.com -icshelper timestamp The appropriate "-ichost" and "-icshelper" modification can be made to accomodate both CHESS.NET and FICS. The "2" behind winboard232 lets the Autoplayer know you wish to use COM port 2. COM 1 is the default setting, so it is not necessary to include anything after "winboard232" if you are using COM 1. Step 6: You may now start WinBoard using the command line you created in Step 5. The Autoplayer and the ChessBase GUI will begin communicating automatically. You will see an INFORMATION WINDOW pop up within the ChessBase GUI. You must now make the following adjustments to WinBoard. Under the OPTIONS menu and then the GENERAL sub-menu, you must activate the following options. This will add a CHECK MARK next to them. It is suggested that these be THE ONLY options activated (i.e., all other options should NOT have a CHECK MARK next to them.): a) AUTO FLAG b) GET MOVE LIST c) HIGHLIGHT LAST MOVE d) LOCAL LINE EDITING COMMENTS AND SUGGESTIONS: - The Auto232 protocol does not allow for time controls. What this means is, you will have to set the time MANUALLY within the ChessBase GUI before each match. Another option is to use the SET FORMULA command on the ICS and require that all match requests fit a certain time control (one that you have already specified within the ChessBase GUI.) For example, you would issue the following command to the ICS: set formula rated & blitz & time=5 & inc=3 Considering your connection is of decent speed, you can safely set the ChessBase GUI for the same time control as what you are playing on the ICS. This varies from one computer & connection to another, so you will need to test it on your equipment (On average, by the end of a time=5 & inc=3 game on the ICS, you will find that the ChessBase GUI may have an extra 10 - 15 seconds on the clock.) However, it will ALWAYS work to set the ChessBase GUI's increments to ONE SECOND LESS than that of the ICS. For example, you are playing time=3 & inc=2 on the ICS and you have the ChessBase GUI set to 3 min and 1 sec increments. Again, the best suggestion is for you to test both methods of setting the time controls, and see which one works best for you. - There are no TAKEBACKS with moves. I don't know of one (C)omputer on any ICS that allows takebacks as it is, so I doubt this will cause anyone any grief. - At times, the ChessBase GUI and the ICS do not agree regarding repeat position draws and the 50 move rule. In these situations, the ChessBase GUI resets for the next game and the ICS remains waiting for your next move. If you are watching, you can disconnect and then resume the match. Often times this works fine. Another choice is to finish the game with another WinBoard engine, to avoid the loss by being flagged. - It is important to remember that when RESUMING games, the ChessBase GUI does not follow the time controls of the previously adjourned game. This means that after you resume the game, you must look and see what amount of time you have on your clock within WinBoard. Then you must use CTRL-Z within the ChessBase GUI and set the time accordingly. Please note that this is a bit tricky for games with larger increments. Again, this is another area where you must "play" with the settings and try to get it close. - While this Autoplayer has been polished to work with the ChessBase GUI, it will also work with many other auto232 compatible chess programs (Shredder4, for example, works beautifully.) - This Autoplayer has been tested on all the ICSs mentioned in paragraph one. Remember, things will not run as smoothly as with engines specifically made to play online, however, it should still afford you hours of fun. =) Winboard232.exe was written in C with the C/C++ Watcom of compiler. Happy Chess Playing! ===================================================
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