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CHESSBD/SLICS
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(c) 1997 by Don Fong (dfong@dfong.com).  Updated december 1999

1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This package contains two programs, CHESSBD and SLICS.
SLICS is shareware, whereas CHESSBD is now a freebie.

CHESSBD is a chess game reader (or "viewer") for Windows.  It can read
"almost any" game file.  It incorporates a heuristic parser that
attempts to handle sloppy "natural" input and poorly specified formats.
The goal --- not quite attained --- is to parse anything posted to the
the rec.games.chess newsgroup, with no hand editing.  For example,
CHESSBD can successfully parse the "Shamkovich benchmark" posted by
Steven J. Edwards in Jan 1994.  However, some files cannot be parsed
without hand editing.

CHESSBD can be used as a NETSCAPE helper app to view PGN files on the web.

SLICS is a graphical client for the Internet Chess Club (ICC) server and
the Free Internet Chess Servers (FICS).

SLICS is shareware, see item 4 below.

Please read the file "install.txt" for installation instructions.
See the online help for usage instructions, or for information
about the CHESSBD parser.

The CHESSBD home page http://www.dfong.com/chessbd/ .

2. FEATURES

* Recognizes both algebraic and descriptive move notation, eg,
	p-k4
	p-n8=Q+
	e4
	e8Q
* Recognizes PGN game headers
	[Event "..."]
* Recognizes "natural" game headers of the form
	White: XXX Black: YYY
* Handles nested variations between ()'s
	(14. Nxd5 Qxd5 (14...Nxd5 e5!))
* Heuristically recognizes variations embedded in commentary text
	15... d5
        If 15... dc, Black will be faced with the ...
* Interactive "drag and drop" moves using the mouse
* Interactive traversal of game tree
* Works under Windows 3.1; uses color
* Can function as a netscape helper app to read PGN files.
* Can cut & paste games from your comm program.
* Can function as an ICS interface via Winsock TCP/IP.

2.1 SLICS features

* Works with both ICC and FICS type servers.
* Can observe multiple games.
* User programmable buttons.
* Board and pieces are scalable.
* Login scripts and "server profiles" make login a breeze.
* Easy to use chat dialog.

For further details, please read the online help and "relnotes.txt".

3. LIMITATIONS

* Runs under Windows 3.1, Windows 95/98.
  Requires a 386 or better cpu.
* Makes NO attempt to fix incorrect input moves (eg by capitalization)
  or guess ambiguous moves.
* See also the section "Implicit Header Recognition Failures"
  in the "Parser Heuristics" help topic.
* Probably will not look good unless you have a color monitor
  with at least 16 colors.

4. REGISTRATION INFORMATION

SLICS is shareware. If you find this program useful,
please register (cost $12) at:

	http://www.dfong.com/chessbd/register.html

5. BUG REPORTS and COMMENTS

Please send bug reports, comments, and suggestions to:
	dfong@dfong.com
Please do not send me ICC or FICS messages - it is hard to reply to them.

To report bugs, please use the form provided in "bugform.txt".

Thanks.

5.1 SUPPORT and TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE

CHESSBD/SLICS is shareware.  Unf i do not have time to provide technical
support.  Full documentation is provided in the winhelp and .txt files.
You can also ask for help on channel 1 (the support channel) on any server,
or ask the admins directly for help.

6. INSTALLATION

The CHESSBD/SLICS download package is a self-installing executable.
Simply run it and follow the steps.