Personal Computing Today


Chess

Categories: Review: Software
Publisher: Micro Power
Machine: BBC Model A & B

 
Published in Personal Computing Today #8

Chess

In this game of chess for the BBC micro you will find all the standard computer chess features that you would expect to find on any normal game. Some of the more notable inclusions are the ability to castle and to capture pieces en passant.

All the moves are entered in algebraic notation, although this is not as easy as it could be because the board is not labelled on-screen but instead a labelled board is included in the instructions.

You have six levels ot play to choose from. On level one the computer generally takes about five seconds to reply to your move. The computer is also very quick to chastise you for an illegal move. Included in the game is the option to save the game to tape.

Chess

Apart from playing a normal game the computer will allow you to set up positions on the board and then play them through to their conclusion. Also included is the option of playing a 'blitz' game against the computer. When you select this option, you play the computer with a ten second time limit on each move.

For reasons of speed the game is written entirely in machine code. The display is produced using mode seven graphics and, while it isn't stunning, it is perfectly adequate for the game. My one criticism of the game is that it is sometimes difficult to distinguish between the pieces, for instance between the Queen and the Bishop.

The game should provide a good few hours of amusement for both novice and intermediate chess players alike.