KChess versions

See the changes text file for a detailed technical description of all changes to KChess Advance and KChess Elite since version 1, plus plans and ideas for future versions.

KChess Advance and KChess Elite version 4 enhancements over version 3.6 include

( * denotes enhancements in KChess Elite only )

Play abilities

• new lower levels of play for beginners
• new time limit with game time plus increment per move *
• separate time limits for each player *
• option to force move of “touched” piece *
• option to disallow move undo *
• improved selection of openings at lower levels
• quick-think lengthened to 2 seconds
• bookmarking of moves
• undo all / redo all stops at bookmarks
• print moves includes board layout at every bookmark

Saving/loading games

• save game in HTML format with GIF graphics *
• save board layout in BMP, GIF, JPEG and PNG formats *
• paste any supported chess file from clipboard *
• enter multiple moves in the Enter Move dialog
• paste individual or multiple moves from the clipboard
• cater for any line length in saved games
• playing mode saved in KCH files
• time control saved in PGN files *
• easier Email Game function *
• fixed file drag and drop onto running program

On screen display

• new piece sets and textures *
• new button bar
• support for XP themes
• additional languages *
• enabling of separate translations for opening encyclopaedia *
• sort openings list with F6 key *
• international/correspondence notation for input and output
• FIDE algebraic notation for input and output
• fixed board scaling problems with double sized system fonts
• fixed board rotation not being reset when restoring options *
• board redraw can use double-buffering to reduce flicker *

Speech

• separate Speak menu *
• less interference by speech on the operation of the program *
• additional voices *
• expanded voice description of en passant and some other moves *
• fixed speech error saying “queen” when castling kingside *
• enabling of language-specific phrasing

Other

• new install program
• installation option to tailor program for screen reader software
• automatic program updating from the KChess server
• processor left idle when game is waiting
• help file in rich text format also included *
• fixed errors caused by excessively long games

KChess Advance and KChess Elite version 3.6 enhancements over version 3.5 included

• fixed short notation errors in some queen promotion moves
• fixed problem reading read-only files
• native KCH files saved in current notation
• three knights is sufficient forces to get a result
• additional languages (now 14 in all) *
• translations for dialog box buttons *

KChess Elite version 3.5 enhancements over version 3.0 included

• fascinating range of chess trivia added to tip of the day
• play specific opening from the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings
• multi-language capability with French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish translations
• male/female spoken feedback for whole move, and current board layout
• option to set up board to invalid layout for specific testing
• preview options changes before accepting them
• fixes for computer notation on input, saving startup board in KCH files, reading end game symbol in PGN files, screen saver not working, autoresizing problems, and inverted square colours on board printout

This was also the first version of KChess Advance.

KChess Elite version 3.0 enhancements over version 2.5 included

• tip of the day
• partial ply search depth for novices
• move marker arrow to highlight last move made
• name and colour of each player in board edge
• new analyse mode for a comprehensive analysis without making a move
• move input in English Descriptive Notation
• display of ECO code and opening name
• informative narration and FEN layout for each board position
• layout can be entered in FEN during board setup mode
• improved handling of large screen fonts
• resizable window, with automatic adjustment of board size
• fixed or variable font option in moves list
• option for hundredths of a second on digital clocks
• additional piece sets
• 17 different figurine fonts to print board diagrams
• row or column option for printing moves listings
• separate male/female voice for each player
• expanded button bar
• file history in Game menu
• last used directory and file format saved
• player times and state of board rotation saved in KCH files
• program options can be saved in KCH files
• PGN tags Annotator and EventDate supported
• right click on en passant square highlights destination not piece
• Home and End key shortcuts for Undo All and Redo All
• two knights vs a knight or bishop not necessarily insufficient forces
• various enhancements for use of KChess with screen reader software
• enhanced Help including FAQ and information for Children and Blind players
• faster setup program

KChess Elite version 2.5 enhancements over version 2.0 included

• more piece sets and range of board sizes
• latest search information displayed after end of move
• status includes count of nodes searched and description of special moves
• arrow keys to undo/redo moves
• new option to move with space bar and arrow keys
• support for Kt abbreviation for Knights when entering moves
• cancel option during demo games
• drag game files to running program
• improved use of book, including fix for inappropriate use in setup games
• extensive glossary of chess terms
• updated installation program
• free bonus chess screen saver

KChess Elite version 2.0 enhancements over version 1.x included

• set the initial state of the board for castling, en passant, move counts and status
• single click setting options to novice, average and expert levels
• new data fields for recording details about the game and players
• sandclock game timer option
• optional Standard Algebraic Notation and Computer Notation for moves
• improved handling of ambiguous moves
• no need to press Enter before entering moves by keyboard
• option to move by clicking on the piece then clicking on the destination
• customizable letters and names for colours and pieces
• single click grid to undo/redo multiple moves
• longer comments up to 32KB
• both male and female voices
• save and load games in international standard EPD, FEN and PGN formats
• copy and paste whole game to and from the clipboard (uses PGN)
• start a variation game on another board with the same position
• option to always promote to Queen
• offer a draw against the computer
• optional automatic recognition of minor piece draws
• load saved games by a parameter running KChess from the command line
• printing includes game and player information, and board layout at current position
• expanded help

KChess Elite version 1.x additional features over KChess Classic for Windows included

• new Windows 95 look and feel
• optional button bar for one click access to common functions
• display of taken pieces sorted by value or order taken
• hide or show status panel with enhanced information display
• variable speed moving pieces
• adjust speed of file open, undo and redo functions
• sound effects and spoken messages
• multiple sets of pieces
• easy customisation of colours
• textured, resizable board
• board rotation
• print board layout
• enhanced print moves with selectable font and size
• enhanced attack/jeopardy highlighting
• more time limit options
• manual or automatic clock setting
• analogue or digital clocks
• setup board using drag and drop
• adjustable playing strength by changing search depth
• add comments to any point in a game
• quick hint function to suggest a move
• replay last move
• undo all and redo all functions
• double click on move listing to undo or redo to that move
• allows optional resignations by either player
• recognises two Kings stalemate
• more sample games complete with comments
• games saved in new text format for use outside of KChess
• reads all earlier KChess and Turbo Chess files
• enhanced help with rules and guidelines for beginners
• full keyword search in help
• window maximisation

Published by ARK ANGLES