Post by: Richard Frost on April 01, 2020, 02:02:40 pm
July 22, 2021
A tweak to hopefully let this run in Linux. Also, the File Menu is more accessible,
being offered as an option at the end of a playback, on the reasonable assumption
that one may wish to replay another game. And it returns to the state it was last
in, that is, same file highlighted so one doesn't have to scroll down.
July 21, 2021
Little birdie on the Help page.
July 18, 2021
Playback wasn't handling two checks or promotions in the same move. Fixed.
July 17, 2021
Noticed that the pieces of Set 3 were a bit distorted compared to previous versions. Fixed.
July 10, 2021
Saves games in algebraic and descriptive notation. Also, concluded games (checkmate, draw,
resign) are not modified if one plays them back and retreats moves.
July 9, 2021
Descriptive notation fix.
July 6, 2021
1) Nicer Setup, not that one uses it much.
2) Added Evergreen game to saved files.
3) After file playback, player names revert to former state.
4) compile.bat included to compile both files, not that it'll work if qb64.exe can't be found.
July 4, 2021
Added descriptive notation - activated in the Settings menu, by pressing "N", or by clicking
that area of the screen when History is shown. Files are saved in algebraic notation regardless,
but are converted to descriptive on playback. Clicking the clock area and to the left of the
board also does stuff!
June 20, 2021
Stopping using DOXBOX/PKZIP to create the compressed file, so all files stay lowercase.
This should help Linux users.
Should you not install this in the directory with QB64, like into \chess and QB is at \qb,
it is best compiled with:
\qb\qb64 -x \chess\chess.bas -o \chess\chess.exe
June 13, 2021
Minor improvements, mainly cosmetic. Clicking to the left of the board toggles the legend,
and clicking on the clock cycles between regular clock, Nixie tubes, and a graph showing CPU
load and moves per second.
May 30, 2021
Saves/restores last player names seen. If null, computer host name used for player.
May 29, 2021
If Dodo resigns and you click Resume, Dodo will not resign again for the current game.
Allows user to practice recognizing/using a checkmate move. However, the log stops at
the resignation.
May 22, 2021
Dodo/Minimax interface rewritten to use TCP/IP, and put the library and include file in
uppercase to suit the zip (for Linux users).
May 21, 2021
Found a program called MiniMax by Steinwender and Donninger,which compiles and runs
with no changes. I upgraded it from text to nice pieces, and found a way to get it to play
Dodo. Minimax is at least 5 times faster, and always wins. To watch them play, fire up
Dodo with "chess match", or select "m" at the main menu (not shown). It is unfortunate
that Minimax has very limited takeback and no mouse support or logging. Currently this
match thing freezes sometimes, but I sense it and terminate the programs in 90 seconds.
Minimax needs to be compiled, of course. It can be played independently of Dodo too.
Moves are entered in the format like e2e4, and "en" ends.
May 18, 2021
Asks for player name(s). Defaults to using computer name if none entered.
May 4, 2021
Better perpetual detection and resigns when checkmate impending.
Apr 29, 2021
Smarter, plus silly feature (N)ixie.
Apr 21, 2021
New, lazy way to move pieces - place cursor on piece to be moved, wait until cursor turns
red, move to new square, wait again. No clicking required. I call it hover mode, and it can
be turned off in Setup. Ordinary ways to move using clicking or keyboard/Enter still active.
Mar 23, 2021
Fixed minor bug - moving a piece off the board left a portion of the piece showing off the board.
Working on making it smarter now, esp. in the endgame, which is difficult so updates will be fewer.
Mar 13, 2021
This will not compile with v1.3. I don't know why, as I'm not using any of the new 1.5 features.
Haven't tried 1.4. Anyway, upgrade to 1.5 because it pleases the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
Mar 4, 2021
Hover mode - leave the mouse on a piece or square for 2 seconds and it's selected. Handy for people with trackpads that don't register a button click reliably.
Feb 26, 2021
Added 6 more chess sets.
Feb 14, 2021
It's a chess program. It slices, dices and makes Julienne fries. Written for Windows, but it should mostly
work under Linux. Haven't a clue about Apple.
Plays legal, including castling and en passant, saves & replays games, takeback option, and a lot of
control over appearance (colors, sets, legend, fullscreen or not, markers, etc.).
I do not include the source in this box because of a comment I saw elsewhere in this forum that posting long
code may slow down the forum. The source is in the zip attachment.
I've been working on this for over a year, and make updates at least once a week, sometimes a few times a day.
Post by: TempodiBasic on April 01, 2020, 05:54:57 pm
I find your chess very fine!
compiling the posted code put in QB64folder together with the content of .ZIP file
I must do these feedbacks:
1. running it I got "Error OUT OF DATA" at line 1277 but going on the track it loads the fonts: data.... and if you substitute
Code: QB64: [Select]
with Code: QB64: [Select]
- DATA "end"
2. the graphic is very fine, but where are the sounds? I think that is a must for 3394 lines of code!
3. mouse implemented only for the chessboard: it is a feature, but please send a feedback to the player that the piece has been taken/choosen by mouse (choose you a sound and/or a different light of the piece and/or a borderlighting of piece or of cell in which it is. For now if I don't move the piece moving the mouse I cannot see that the piece is in my hand and not on the chessboard.
4. the images of piece dragged on the chessboard overwrites also my pieces like in capturing action, and not only for enemy's pieces.
Here it is difficult for me suggesting how to solve this issue, because there are so many ways from alphachannel of piece in movement to a piece in different grading of colour of the same colour.
I am not able to take a screenshot with PrintScreen key,
After your AI got checkmate the game stucks and I'm not able to Quit or to play a New Game . Moreover your program's window is locked and the only combo keys that have worked id Ctrl+Alt+Canc while no Alt+Enter or Alt+Tab or Ctrl+Esc.
Moreover after going out of program I cannot go into again . Whole window is only black.
Good Job, thanks to share
Post by: bplus on April 01, 2020, 06:25:33 pm
Hi, looking for source code after one zip extraction, I found another .zip in "Other" folder and 2 in "S4" folder. So which is intended source? The one in "Other" did not match the source posted here. Would the source posted here work from main folder on top? Allot of funny images, ha!
Post by: Richard Frost on April 01, 2020, 08:17:04 pm
just a waste of space. I'm using a compressor new to me. I'll fix
that and upload a new zip.
As to the longer reply, I'll get to that.....will take longer.
Thanks for the feedback!
Post by: Richard Frost on April 01, 2020, 08:42:36 pm
2) There are sounds. Go into the menu (s twice) and enable them, or just press "n". The setting will be saved.
3) Yes, I could make a click sound when a piece is selected by the mouse. Will do.
4) That's a tough one, and will take some time to change, if I can do it at all. Most of the sets are pictures - only the UGLY set is x/y data.
Alt-Enter should always work, and the fullscreen status saved to be invoked for subsequent play. I've also had trouble switching to other window if in fullscreen, and don't know why. WHAT is Ctrl-Alt-Canc? Goodness, I've never heard of it!
There are 3 screen modes - normal centered, moved to top right, and larger to show think thinking/history/legal/etc.
I still occasionally see issues with it recognizing check. On the other hand, castling and en passant seem pretty solid,
even in file playback.
A fun thing to activate is Rick mode (R) to see three numbers - current moves evaluated per second, top moves evaluated per second, and total moves this game. The average game is over 50 million moves. All the "funny" pieces can be seen with
Z (lowercase shows a sample of all sets). A red t-shirt guy from Star Trek for a pawn is hilarious, IMO.
Post by: TempodiBasic on April 02, 2020, 03:18:39 pm
thanks to follow my feedbacks
point 1.
if you READ f$ (at 1277 line) I think that the stored DATA must be a string " " and not an open value like DATA END (at 298 line), why must it be in lowercase "end" ? Simply because at 1278 the IF statement uses f$="end" and not f$="END"
point 2.
Thanks, I have not seen them before, now I have enabled/disabled sounds...moreover I have explored the option menu for changing the setting of pieces and chessboard's colors. Very fine.
point 3.
thanks, quick response.
point 4.
it is good enough for now, I have not seen in your code but if you use _PUTIMAGE , can you use a bit littler or bigger image of the piece take by mouse ? (really I don't know how hard is the realization of this idea...)
Thanks to read
------
About AI, it need to enpower its engine about at least the possibility of continue the game
in a second game AI (leading black pieces) has not recognized the check, and then the checkmate when I have captured the black King, going on with the game.
see this screenshot
[ This attachment cannot be displayed inline in 'Print Page' view ]
Post by: Richard Frost on April 02, 2020, 08:29:33 pm
Linux? It'd be interesting to know if this thing runs on the Linux version of QB64.
I am using _PUTIMAGE for all sets except the one in the screenshot you took. Unlike PUT, it doesn't have the AND/OR/XOR
option, so moving the pieces in any other way is not possible, because I'd be moving the background too and it'd look very
ugly. Speaking of ugly, why are you using that particular set? You like it? I was going to delete it! The only benefit of
that set is that the colors can be changed.
What I will do, eventually, is convert all sets to x/y data so that I *can* use PUT, or even PSET for a fun dissolve/assemble
type of move.
Perhaps _PUTIMAGE can do the job, if I make some color transparent. I'm still learning how to use RGBA. Likely still
involve a massive edit to all the images.
Yes, I'm aware it sometimes doesn't recognize being in check. It's somewhat rare now, I hope. I'll probably lick that bug
completely within a month and upload again.
Not sure what your point 4 is. Show a bigger or smaller piece if it has been selected by the mouse? That should be easy to
do - for 3 of the 5 sets. Not sure I'd like it though. Wouldn't the red cursor used for the arrow keys be nicer? It is annoying when one gets out of synch and has to press Enter twice or click twice. I had a "To?" caption before for the 2nd phase of a move, but it looked so....amatuerish. There didn't seem to be any need of any indicator when using the mouse.
It changes a lot every day, since it's my primary activity. Not sure how often I should upload updates - certainly not daily!
I'll aim for about once a month. My lastest version can be used as a screensaver - computer plays itself endlessly. If the background graphics are active it uses a lot of CPU time tho.
Thank you for taking the time to test it.
Post by: TempodiBasic on April 03, 2020, 07:34:15 am
I love chess game so if you post something about it I look at and I play!
And now you know why all these feedbacks from me.
about
Quote
The case for that "end" must match, I know, but I still don't see why it needs quotes. Doesn't on my systemI must admit that the " " are not necessary and it is a my limit thinking that READ need of " " to recognize a string or character. I have used so few times READ and DATA, so I have little experience with them.
The real issue was the difference between uppercase and lowercase.
About visibility of piece in moving (in the hand of player) is just a step forward to be more visually clear, it is not a must.
---------------
more about AI
when I have played with black against AI with white, I am not able to castle . Please try to see if it is an issue on my Pc or an AI error.
Thanks to read
Post by: Richard Frost on April 03, 2020, 04:07:05 pm
pieces in between, and the king and rook concerned had never moved?
I was wrong about _PUTIMAGE being a limiting factor, at least concerning these images. They have no
background, so I can move them smoooooothly with the mouse. Working on it.
Thanks again for the feedback, and new ideas.
Post by: TempodiBasic on April 03, 2020, 07:33:23 pm
Yes all pieces (king and Rook have made no movement before, and King doesn't fall under attack during its travel from e8 to g8 and king is not under check) are in good state to make castle.
about running in Linux...
I have tried, but I've got always error about file to load... the path appears wrong but if I go to find them they are there!
Also if I change the path adding ".\" or "./" ! Bad File name is the error coming out on running the compiled file.
Post by: Richard Frost on April 03, 2020, 09:23:55 pm
the code expects. A later version will search for files using both cases, as I did for some
other program. I'm under the impression, perhaps mistaken, that Linux users are a
tiny minority, so it's not a priority.
Post by: Richard Frost on May 16, 2020, 11:16:46 am
Plays legally. Crappy endgame, since the rules I've given it are simple. Pretty
challenging for midgame tho. Most of the code is for graphics - the pieces themselves,
the plasma effect, etc., and for configurartion and showing the thinking, file playback, etc.
Hard to believe a chess program (almost complete!) was done in under 1K, twice!
Post by: TempodiBasic on May 16, 2020, 05:09:04 pm
Nice update!
Post by: Qwerkey on May 17, 2020, 05:08:47 am
https://youtu.be/1F7PHia3YRQ (https://youtu.be/1F7PHia3YRQ)
Post by: Ashish on May 17, 2020, 11:56:35 am
Post by: Richard Frost on May 17, 2020, 01:14:32 pm
2) I've never seen the program do what's in that video. Are you running Linux or Mac? What version of QB64 did
you compile with? Even if I hold down a mouse button I cannot recreate that error (normal procedure is to click
what, then where).
3) Fullscreen should be achieved in the usual way, with Alt-Enter, and the setting remembered between sessions.
4) May I know how you captured that video? That's a feaure I miss from ye olde DOSBox.
Post by: Richard Frost on May 18, 2020, 04:06:22 am
I still never saw the problem on my system, so I had to guess at a fix. Maybe my mouse
driver has debouncing, eh?
Post by: Qwerkey on May 18, 2020, 06:10:42 am
Problem with piece sticking to cursor even after move complete fixed.
@Richard Frost Oh good. We can consider this excellent program for Games. The video capture is done with Freeware EasyScreen (readily available).
Post by: Qwerkey on May 18, 2020, 07:01:20 am
Post by: QBExile on May 19, 2020, 03:27:11 am
This program could use sounds and captured piece display along with a file of all game moves , etc! This is an impressive attempt at a decent chess program and i really like it.
Post by: Richard Frost on May 19, 2020, 09:09:31 pm
History of moves can be shown with Mode. Other items in that "extra info"
mode can be toggled with capital T, W, L, or P, as the heading suggests.
Mode varies according to whether the program is fullscreen or not. If NOT
in fullscreen, pressing "m" toggles thru three settings - screen centered,
screen top right, then the extra info screen.
Ain't that tiny number at top right a hoot? It shows how many moves have
been looked at for the current game. Most games hit more than 50 million.
The preceeding two numbers indicate moves calculated per second, and
best moves per second. I'm averaging 100,000 moves per second, and
that's compiled for 32 bit. MPS is also shown on a graph (~).
The tiny number at far left, if present, tells how far ahead or behind you are,
point-wise. I rate the Queen as a 9. There isn't room to display captured
pieces....unless I move to a bigger screen. Is it worth it? Rather fun to keep
a small window so one can do other stuff while playing. Also good to keep
the clutter down.
If you don't like the extra info (including console), change line 78 to "dev =0",
or press shift-r.
Post by: Richard Frost on June 04, 2020, 04:19:35 am
I found a chess program on another site that Bplus and Tempodibasic were collaborating on
three years ago. It's smarter AND faster than mine. It'll have to study it a long time before
I understand it. Mine looks nicer, and has more options (takeback, setup, graphics options),
but it's dumb and slower. WHY is mine slower? Mainly, I suspect, because I'm using strings
(A-H) to make the code easier to understand, and having to convert to and from these
characters often.
My current version says enemy pawns can control empty squares between a King and Rook,
and disallows castling accordingly.
I dumped all the console info because it wasn't very useful. Now the only difference between
regular and development mode is a delay in non-dev mode for computer vs. computer play.
This delay should ensure enough time for the CPU to cool down so that your computer doesn't
go into thermal shutdown, which is still a problem for me if I'm also using Chrome on some
websites.
Post by: Qwerkey on June 04, 2020, 05:35:14 am
My current version says enemy pawns can control empty squares between a King and Rook,That is as it should be, I think.
and disallows castling accordingly.
I keep updating it, and uploading a new zip.The librarians will keep updating the Games version on an occasional basis to keep up.
Post by: Richard Frost on June 04, 2020, 02:47:01 pm
I suppose it's stable enough to go there.
<kablooie!>
What was that noise?
Post by: Qwerkey on June 04, 2020, 05:21:19 pm
Er. Hwat? It isn't in Games.Oops! Getting slightly ahead of myself!
Post by: Qwerkey on June 07, 2020, 11:24:27 am
Post by: Richard Frost on June 07, 2020, 10:54:18 pm
code may be difficult to understand when I remove all the strings from the main processing in TryMove, which may boost the
speed a lot.
Most of the code is dealing with graphics and extras, and there's a lot to show what's going on to make further development easier.
It's a program I may be working on for years. Already I'm getting a bit tired of it!
Post by: bplus on June 07, 2020, 11:31:43 pm
Post by: Richard Frost on June 08, 2020, 04:10:20 am
I wasn't aware that your old program had a major deficiency. When I play it I tend to lose a major piece early and give up.
A takeback feature in it would sure be nice.
I've just noticed, by modifying the initial start board, that yours also has no clue what to do in the endgame with just a rook.
Darn difficult thing to put into code, isn't it? My initial attempt "sort of" works in that it brings a computer-computer game to a
conclusion usually in less than 100 moves. That's one of the benefits of my saving all the games - I can run statistics on them.
Post by: bplus on June 09, 2020, 12:22:18 pm
Since your assurance that all legal moves are working, I gave your game another test last night.
Man! that is a sharp looking setup, love what you've done with the plasma!
And man, am I rusty! I couldn't even get into position to put the AI King into check!
Oh well, practice makes perfect. I will be practicing with your game now, thanks.
Post by: bplus on June 09, 2020, 02:08:06 pm
Code: [Select]
[ Human Comp]
1 e2e4 b8c6
2 c2c3 g8f6
3 f2f3 h7h5
4 d2d4 h5h4
5 g1e2 h8h5
6 e2f4 h5a5
7 b1d2 b7b6
8 d2c4 g7g5
9 f4d5 f6d5
10 c4a5 c6a5
11 e4d5 c7c5
12 d5c6 d7c6
13 c1g5 d8d5
14 g5h4 d5h5
15 h4g3 c8f5
16 f1a6 f5c8
17 a6c8 a8c8
18 O-O h5b5
19 f3f4 b5b2
20 f1f2 b2c3
21 d4d5 e7e5
22 d5e6 c8c7
23 e6f7+ e8e7
24 g3h4+ e7e6
25 f4f5+ e6e5
26 d1e1+ c3e1+
27 a1e1+ e5d4
28 f2d2+ d4c3
29 e1d1 c7f7
30 f5f6 f8c5+
31 g1f1 c3b4
32 a2a3+ b4a4
33 h4f2 f7f6
34 f1g1 f6f2
35 d2f2 c5f2+
36 g1f2 a7a6
37 d1d6 b6b5
38 g2g4 a4a3
39 g4g5 b5b4
40 d6d7 b4b3
41 d7d3 c6c5
42 g5g6 c5c4
43 g6g7 c4d3
44 g7g8(Q) d3d2
45 g8d8 d2d1(Q)
46 d8d1 b3b2
47 d1b1 a5b3
48 f2e2 a6a5
49 e2d3 b3c5+
50 d3c3 c5a4+
51 c3c2 a3b4
52 h2h3 b4a3
53 h3h4 a4c5
54 h4h5 a3a4
55 h5h6 a4a3
56 h6h7 c5b3
57 h7h8(Q) b3a1+
58 c2c3 a1c2
59 h8f8+ c2b4
60 b1b2+ a3a4
61 f8e8+ b4c6
62 e8c6++
@Richard Frost is there a way to playback the file so I can savor the moment?
Also I put the key command notes into separate txt file to view when questions come to me. You could load up such a file when start the game eg this loads my Grin ) Rummy Variation Help file (bn = 1 is an option on setup code)
Code: QB64: [Select]
This line puts the Help info into your favorite Editor along with the EXE game, a good use of Windows and you can edit your own notes right in there when you play the game. That's 2 or 3 birds with one stone.Here is a starter txt, R Frost Chess Help.txt:
Code: QB64: [Select]
- ' Tiny numbers at top are:
- ' 1) left - points ahead/behind
- ' 2) middle - current time
- ' 3) right - current moves per second
- ' 4) - best moves per second
- ' 5) - total moves computed
- ' COMMAND$ options:
- ' / - computer plays itself (for screensaver)
- ' init - ignore configuration file (recreates on exit)
- ' Undocumented keys:
- ' A - switch to automatic mode
- ' b/w - switch out of automatic mode
- ' D - deep (really slows it down)
- ' R - developer mode toggle (debugging, extra info)
- ' v - show valid moves (appears at top left)
- ' x - test sound
- ' X - kill color file for fresh start
- ' z - show sets
- ' Z - show funny images (pix used as pieces)
- ' 0 - darker black squares
- ' 2 - random color black squares
- ' ` - plasma intensity
- ' ~ - graph moves evaluated per second
- ' +/- - change piece size (for some sets, and isn't saved)
- ' l&r shift - white/gray board
- ' In menu, but quicker:
- ' 1 - random color squares
- ' a - legend
- ' d - display background
- ' B - square border style
- ' C - elapsed time this move
- ' f - file playback
- ' g - plasma off/white squares/all squares
- ' S - change chess Set
- ' t - time of day clock
- ' PgUp/PgDn - brightness
Oh there is a file playback, f it! cool ;-))
update: first note under file playback: note don't need .alg extension
update 2:
Code: QB64: [Select]
It works!
Post by: Qwerkey on June 09, 2020, 02:43:07 pm
Post by: bplus on June 09, 2020, 03:00:01 pm
(Well if Mark gets anymore Magnum you might be seeing him anyway!) ;-))
Post by: Richard Frost on June 09, 2020, 03:40:20 pm
The file playback is a bit hostile in having to type in the filename, eh? I should pull up a list of
all current .alg files to choose from, and eventually will. Such a list should be in reverse date
order, I suppose. Why I haven't done so yet is mainly because I don't know what Windows library
function to call to accomplish it. I could do it on my own, but people are more familiar with the
Windows file select mechanism.
I use the .alg extension to distinguish them from all other files, because I like to do a purge of them
sometimes (del ch*.alg). Great games, or ones that display a problem, I rename to keep. The logging can
be turned off in the menu to reduce directory clutter. The game is written to disk on exit, so it's ok
to turn on the logging in mid game.
I suppose there should be a key, probably F1, to show the "help" file. Er. But how?
1) your way, call an external editor
2) to the console
3) to a seperate window, keeping the board on screen
4) page flip (crude!)
Then there's the issue of show ALL keys, or only useful ones? Like, who'd want to graph moves per second besides me, or show all pictures?
The Deep option isn't upping plies for all moves, only the top two or three, yet it's STILL too slow to actually use.
Another major fault is that it does not hold back moves that cause stalemate when the power balance ensures checkmate.
I've pretty much hit a dead end in making it smarter, so I'm studying how other programs function to get ideas. I detest the idea of using an opening book because it'd involve an insane amount of dull work and hundreds of support files.
Two chess programs have been under 1K. Not full implementations, of course, but still shocking. There must be easier (and presumably faster) ways to do things than I am.
Post by: Qwerkey on July 22, 2021, 05:22:03 am
When I load the latest version (Update: July 21, 2021) into QB64 IDE, I get the following error:
LIBRARY not found on line 86 (click here or Ctrl+Shift+G to jump there)
Caused by (or after): DECLARE LIBRARY “.\\chessdat\\mem", 14
Lines 86-88 are:
Declare Library ".\chessdat\mem" ' CPU load tracking, thanks to SMcNeill!
Function GetCPULoad
End Declare
Any ideas as to how to correct for this error? I am using v1.5.
Thanks, Qwerkey (Richard)
@Richard Frost
@bplus
Post by: Richard Frost on July 22, 2021, 03:24:15 pm
Zip updated to have the following, but I don't know if mem.h works under Linux.
Code: QB64: [Select]
Post by: Qwerkey on July 23, 2021, 05:08:17 am
Post by: bplus on July 23, 2021, 07:03:29 am
Mem.h has to be copied (or moved) to same folder as QB64.exe like all .h files: charset, direntry, falcon, mem, pipecom, strnicmp, timers.
Post by: Qwerkey on July 23, 2021, 07:32:11 am
Post by: Qwerkey on July 23, 2021, 07:50:19 am
Apologies to both. Will update Games entry.
Post by: Richard Frost on July 23, 2021, 08:59:59 am
for me. In an effort to not clutter up a main folder too much, I put it in the subfolder chessdat
and declare it as .\chessdat\mem.h
This works for me but not others? Wut? It's such a small file that I could put it in both.
Should I?
Post by: bplus on July 23, 2021, 03:03:06 pm
I am only checking the Games Board post and that Qwerkey tells me is still the old Chess2 package that I put in there as Chess2 reply for March 2021 update (gone now).
So I am not checking anything new, just same old under new chess not chess2 name.
@Richard Frost I will double check Qwerkey new code update in Games when he gets to it. For me, h files in QB64 folder is no problem, I copy/paste all of them together when QB64 is updated.
Post by: Richard Frost on July 24, 2021, 08:31:22 pm
Post by: Qwerkey on July 25, 2021, 06:33:56 am
Post by: bplus on July 25, 2021, 11:35:13 am
Just checked new zip from Games. Wow that is massive complex of files. Recommend File Manifest or at least a Readme.txt for the package.
Post by: Richard Frost on July 25, 2021, 05:44:30 pm
The chess package is like most others - simply unzip it and the
chessdat directory will be created, which is where most of the files
go (pieces, mainly). The file and directory names under chessdat seem
pretty clear to me, except s2,s3,s4, etc., and one finds they're piece
sets by looking at them. I'd include the executables for any
destination other than the Forum. Users here like to compile stuff.
What use would a text file explaining all the files be? They're not
meant to be changed, except by the program.
Is it wrong to have so many support files? Should I be using some
utility to combine them all into one file?
Post by: Qwerkey on July 26, 2021, 06:04:16 am
What is a File Manifest?
Thank you @Richard Frost, I didn't like to appear stupid enough to ask the same question! @bplus.
I would say that there is nothing wrong with a folder full of support files. I do it all the time.
Post by: bplus on July 26, 2021, 06:36:21 am
Thank you @Richard Frost, I didn't like to appear stupid enough to ask the same question! @bplus.
I would say that there is nothing wrong with a folder full of support files. I do it all the time.
Have you heard of a ship's manifest?
It just a listing or description of all items being transported with no judgements made on their contents or number.
I was mostly wondering what TF.bas and minimax,bas were and just searched chess to see.
The help file was found under chessdata and appears very different than previous.
I dont like piece to be moved to automatically be the one I moved previously after 2 secs.
Post by: TempodiBasic on July 26, 2021, 07:39:17 am
Taken .ZIP and extracted into a folder Chess into QB64 folder
Loaded into QB64IDE 1.5 I got this error relative to the path of library. Buuut the library path is correct because it is relative to the current directory where is the .BAS file.
see attachment
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Some suggestions?
Post by: bplus on July 26, 2021, 07:46:57 am
I'm ready fonr another chess game!
Taken .ZIP and extracted into a folder Chess into QB64 folder
Loaded into QB64IDE 1.5 I got this error relative to the path of library. Buuut the library path is correct because it is relative to the current directory where is the .BAS file.
see attachment
Some suggestions?
Confirmed! When I rename MEM.H file in my QB64.exe folder I get same error.
@TempodiBasic move that mem.h file to your QB64.exe folder.
Post by: TempodiBasic on July 26, 2021, 12:26:11 pm
Cool!
I must admit that are interesting new except the mouse selection of piece on the keyboard... also if no click I find select the piece pointed at the moment. And I must use Escape key to unselect the piece.
Post by: Richard Frost on July 26, 2021, 05:03:22 pm
be turned off with H or in the Setup menu. I'll make it OFF by default.
I really like Hover mode, because I often play in bed, with the laptop
sitting sideways on a table, and it's awkward to press a mouse button.
The downside of it is having to remember to move the cursor off the
piece after moving. As Heinlein liked to say, TANSTAAFL.
That mem.h problem makes no sense to me. I'll start putting it in
both places in the zip (main and the subdirectory). Maybe that'll
fix it. *I* don't need to have it in the same directory as QB64 to
load chess into the IDE without error, or compile. Is my computer
somehow special? Well, yes - because I clean the dust out of the cracks
with plastic toothpicks that have a brush on the end. A clean computer
works much better. Keeps the bits coherent. Placing garden gnomes on
each side also helps to keep bits in line. Border Collies would be even
better but they'd pee on the keyboard and steal my Doritos.
Post by: bplus on July 26, 2021, 08:08:01 pm
It does get vacuumed more than the house but that's not saying much. Thanks for tip on hoover option and garden gnomes. I always wondered what they were for.
Post by: Richard Frost on August 02, 2021, 03:31:51 pm
Fixed a bug I found in descriptive notation, plus other minor improvments.
Hover mode set to OFF in initialization file (chessb.dat).
Post by: TempodiBasic on August 02, 2021, 07:08:52 pm
I got it, and it is so cool (except for the AI). Good job and it is fantastic to put off the hover effect as default!
About minmax....it must grew in AI but it is stronger than Chess.exe AI.
PS: Minmax doesn't accept to loose! It's a baby!
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Post by: Richard Frost on August 02, 2021, 11:20:49 pm
played each other, Dodo has only won three times. And Minimax is far
faster too. The speed is due to Alpha-Beta pruning, which I've tried to
implement into Dodo, so far with no success.
I modified Minimax to be a tester for Dodo - not sure it works properly
on it's own. I also added decent pieces.
Where my program shines is being able to take back any number of moves,
automatic saving of games for replay or printing, time tracking, the
recent addition of descriptive notation (which was difficult), overall
appearance, configurability, and simplicity of use.
Post by: Richard Frost on August 03, 2021, 05:14:55 am
minor bit of text processing I was doing for the menus.
As I've said before, it isn't entirely bad that Dodo is so stupid. Who wants to play modern
chess engines that always win?
I hope the Librarian is deleting previous versions of the zip. Waste of space if not. Maybe
6 megs is peanuts these days, and it doesn't matter.
Post by: Richard Frost on August 06, 2021, 03:53:52 am
I've got one. Hey, Ricardo, your color choices are pathetic.
Anyway, a lot of bug fixes, mostly too tiny for anyone to have noticed.
Post by: Junior Librarian on August 06, 2021, 05:49:51 am
Post by: Richard Frost on August 06, 2021, 11:07:39 am
Post by: Richard Frost on August 11, 2021, 03:45:29 pm
Enter key can be used in place of mouse button. Also, mouse cursor does
not need to be on board to use arrow keys.
All sets can be dimmed.
Post by: Richard Frost on August 16, 2021, 01:53:53 pm
or a portable that can hinge open 180 degrees. Settings:Invert:Board/Pieces.
Using Enter as a mouse click key was messed up in the last version. Fixed.
Post by: Richard Frost on August 19, 2021, 03:39:41 pm
I see 5 downloads in the past few days, so I guess it's worth keeping
it updated.
Post by: Richard Frost on September 12, 2021, 12:54:53 am
1) Downsized 2 chess sets, so they load much faster.
2) Lots of small graphics improvements.
3) More, but I forget. Another price of being uncertain of how often updates are ok here, when old
code is never overwritten.
Post by: Richard Frost on November 17, 2021, 09:07:03 pm
1) full Linux compatibility (all files lowercase and uses sensors for temperature)
2) better throttling
3) nicer appearance
4) 3 clocks to choose from
5) blessed by a garden gnome in Walla Walla Washington
6) "Style" button to sequence thru 12 styles (colors, sets, clock type, etc)
Post by: Richard Frost on December 13, 2021, 03:50:27 am
I can't help you. I'm up in Canada, helping Santa wrap presents.
But while you're down there, play chess by using the new rotate
feature (F12 or use the menu). When rotated +/- 90 degrees only
the board and main menu are visible, but that's usually enough.
This rotate feature, at 180 degrees, is also handy for human vs
human play, esp. for a tablet.
I'd like to know the top MPS (moves per second) everyone gets.
My best computer, a 12 year old dual processor Lenovo portable,
only manages 1.4 million. And it's only the Lenovo that throttles
the FPS if/when there are processes like video in the background.
My other computers, 2 Dells and a Toshiba running Linux Mint, stay
at about 60% CPU load.
tf.bas & minimax.bas added to zip. Sorry I forgot before.
Post by: Dav on December 13, 2021, 08:14:05 am
- Dav
Post by: Qwerkey on December 13, 2021, 12:36:06 pm
@Richard Would there be any chance to modify your ID (to something like RichardX where X is the first letter of your family name)? This is not the first time that members have mistakenly messaged you in place of another. The given name alone as ID is easy to misdirect.
Qwerkey (given name Richard!).
Post by: Dav on December 13, 2021, 12:42:59 pm
- Dav
Post by: Richard Frost on December 14, 2021, 12:53:51 am
I could still do that, sure, but DOSBox is a bit slooooooow.
And I updated the file AGAIN because QB64 v2.0.2 , which I just got, didn't like
one of my functions.
The temperature sensing works in XP and Linux Mint. With Win10, it only works
if the program is run as administrator. So for Windows I throttle the FPS if the CPU
load is high, not the temperature.
Temperature is obtained by shelling to wmic with Windows, or sensors with Linux.
Post by: Dav on December 14, 2021, 08:17:39 am
I've already made a desktop icon for it for daily playing.
Btw, I had to edit line #97 to point to the mem library. it was pointing to /chessdat, and mem isn't in that folder.
- Dav
Post by: Richard Frost on December 15, 2021, 01:55:02 am
2) was error in viewing funny pix ("Z") - changed a lot of vars to _byte for more speed
3) setup menu available while computer thinking, with the last 2 items not available
4) setup and file playback menus should pop up smoother/faster
I do not understand that mem.h problem. It *is* in \chessdat, and in the main directory
too. Works fine for me with XP and 10 (not declared for Linux).
C'mon, someone with a hot machine tell me what speed they get. I'm up to 1,879,497
moves per second on an 2007 (ancient!) Toshiba A200, albeit after running it over 24
hours. Average speed is maybe half that. The speed will start going down if I ever
make it smarter.
Updates:
Dec 16: Substantial CPU load decrease by eliminating some unnecessary string assignments.
Dec 30: Nicer background.
Jan 2: Graphical piece selection for promotion, and last captured piece is highlighted for a bit.
Jan 3: Added CPU load to graph for Linux version. Because it's fun to watch squiggly lines.
Jan 4: Added another background.
Jan 6: Added a button (lightning) for bare bones mode, which plays faster. Plus better mouse handling.
Jan 18: Added Fellippe and Spriggsy, with appropriate catchphrases, to the funny set. Also loads faster.
Post by: Dav on December 15, 2021, 08:08:09 am
- Dav