ChessGenius Help

Hints and Tips
Options
Set up position
Save game
Load game
Next best
Registration information
For more help please visit www.chessgenius.com or email support@chessgenius.com

Hints and Tips

- Shortcut buttons:
  Buttons on the command bar provide shortcuts to the following commonly used commands. Hint, Turn board, Board size, Take back, Take back 10 moves, Forward, Forward 10 moves and Switch sides/Move now.
- Take back:
  This reverses a single move so has the effect of changing sides. To avoid changing sides take back twice.
- Clocks:
  The chess clocks show time as minutes:seconds or hours;minutes. Note the ':' or ';' If the playing level is set to 'Game in ..' the clocks count down to show the remaining time. When time has run out '--:--' is displayed. If the playing level is changed mid game the clocks are set to appropriate times.
- Saving and Loading games:
  ChessGenius loads and saves games in standard PGN format which is compatible with most PC Chess playing programs. PGN files can be easily moved between the PocketPC and Desktop PC. One method is to choose Explore on the Microsoft ActiveSync software and drag and drop PGN files.
- Championship:
  The word "Championship" is displayed if you have not used Hint or Next best, Taken back moves or viewed the analysis. Can you beat ChessGenius without help?.

Options

Choose Tools -> Options.. or start a new game.

- Playing Level:
  Choose one of the three different types of playing level.
  Easy. ChessGenius makes deliberate mistakes on these levels. ( Beginners and children can sometimes win).
  Time per move. Choose the average time for each move.
  Game in. Choose the time for the entire game. ( The clocks count down and you lose if you run out of time )
  ChessGenius plays stronger given more time to think.
- Players:
  Analyze game. This is like Two player but ChessGenius thinks and shows its thinking on the screen. Useful for playing over games.
- Hash size:
  ChessGenius uses hash tables in its searching to store data. It plays a little stronger with bigger hash tables.
- Analysis:
  If On, the screen will show a line of text that shows the 'thinking process' of the computer. For example, the line may show:
  '1.03 05 cxd4 Nxd4 Nc6 Bb5' This means that: ChessGenius is winning by 1.03 pawns, Search depth = 5, and line of moves. ChessGenius is planning cxd4 and expects Nxd4 in reply etc.
  If set to 'Score only' the screen will show the score but not the line of moves.
  If set to 'On + pos count' the screen will show number of positions searched and the average number of position searched per second.
- Fast Animation:
  If checked the graphic pieces move faster.
- Sounds:
  Clear this to prevent sounds when ChessGenius moves.
- Show legal moves:
  If checked ChessGenius will show legal moves. Tap on a piece to see where it can move to.
- Show last move:
  If checked ChessGenius will show the last move that it made.
- Tutor:
  If checked ChessGenius will warn if you make a weak move and give the option of taking it back. Useful for beginners.
- Permanent Brain:
  If checked ChessGenius will calculate whilst waiting for your move. ChessGenius will play stronger but battery life will be reduced.

Set up position

- To add a piece first select the piece type from the box on the right.
- To clear a square select the empty box above the pieces on the right.
- The castling and en passant status and move number can also be set.
- You cannot exit with "OK" unless the position is legal.
- Cancel returns to the position before set up was selected.

Save Game

- After choosing "Save Game" the game details screen is displayed. The details are saved with the game so modify them if required and select "OK"
- The next screen shows the file where the game will be saved. The "Browse" button lets you choose another existing file. The "New" button lets you create a new empty PGN file.
- Select "OK" and the game will be saved to the end of the file.

Load game

- After choosing "Load Game" a file name and list of games in the file are displayed.
- The "browse" button lets you choose another file.
- Choose a game and then select "OK" to load it or select "Delete" to delete the game.

Next best

- After ChessGenius has played a move "Next best" will force ChessGenius to take back its last move and compute the next best move. This is useful for forcing ChessGenius to play a particular opening and for analysing positions.

Registration information

For details of how to register please see www.chessgenius.com. After registering you will receive a key. Enter this into ChessGenius and the full features will be unlocked.
Benefits of registration

- View the analysis (thinking information) at any time.
- View the hint move at any time.
- Choose any playing level. (Before registration only "move instantly" is allowed after move 20.)
- Save entire games. (first 10 moves only before registration.)
- The "unregistered" dialog box is not displayed on start up.
- Updates will be free for registered users.