zKnights


Contents [German help]
Introduction
Menu Bar
    File
    Match
    Settings
Special Windows
    Start a New Match
    General Options
    Display Options


 

Introduction

zKnights is a graphical chess interface for Qtopia/Qt, based on the KDE Knights.
It supports

The following must be installed:

To move a chessman, simply tap the chessman you wish to move, then tap the position you want the chessman to move to.
You can also move your chessman using "Drag and Drop".

 

Menu Bar

File

New Match
The "Start a New Match" window will pop up.
Load Match
This will allow you to select a previously saved match and play it again.
Save Match
This will allow you to store a copy of your current match. If this match doesn't yet have a file name, you will be prompted for one.
Save Match As
This will allow you to store a copy of your current match. You will be prompted for a file name.
Close Match
This command removes the current match.
Close All
This command will remove all matches that are currently loaded.
Quit
The Quit command will stop all matches and exit zKnights.
 

Match

Draw
Retract Move
Select this to retract your last move.
Resign
Use this to concede the match to your opponent.
Call Flag
Use this to declare the match over, due to your opponent being out of time.
Hint
This will ask your opponent for a hint.
Move Now
This option will force your opponent to move immediately.
Flip View
This will reverse the chessboard's orientation by 180 degrees.
Ponder
This toggles your opponent's ability to think while it's your turn.
Pause / Resume
The clock for the current match will pause / resume.
 

Settings

General
The "General Options" window will pop up.
Display
The "Display Options" window will pop up.
Themes
Select a theme for the board or the chessmen.
Engines Directory
This lets you set the directory where zKnights looks for chess engines, e.g. /opt/share/chess/engines/ (but NOT: /opt/share/chess/engines/GnuChess/).
Themes Directory
This lets you set the directory where the themes for the board and the chessmen reside.
 

Special Windows

Start a New Match

There are two tabs: one for the White color and one for the Black color. For each color you can set the following parameters:

Player
the Human or the Computer.
Base Time:
is the number of minutes that the player has at the beginning of the match.
Moves Per Base Time:
controls the number of moves needed to receive an extra time.
Increment Per Move:
is yet another time bonus that you receive after every move.
Computer Player:
If the player is a computer, you can select the Chess Engine from the list of engines that are found in the Engines Directory.
Strength
This slider sets the computer's skill level. The strength of the level depends on the selected engine, some engines may ignore this preference, others are not usable in a high level.

 

General Options

Player's Name:
Your name.
When zKnights Begins It Should:
"Do Nothing" or "Start a Match vs. PC".
Save Match on Close?
When you close a chess match, zKnights can automatically save it. Choose one of three options: No, Yes, Ask.
Pause on Minimize
This will cause zKnights to pause all your matches when you minimize the zKnights window.
Always Promote to Queen
When checked, any of your pawns that get promoted will automatically become a queen. Otherwise Knights will prompt you each time a pawn is promoted.
Call Flag Automatically
This option will automatically declare you the winner of the match if your opponent's clock runs out of time.
 

Display Options

Reverse Board Orientation
Normally, the board is displayed with your army on the bottom and your opponent's army on top. Checking this option puts your army on the top and your opponent's army on the bottom.
Automatic Preview
If this feature is checked, any position which a selected chessman can move to will be highlighted.
Show Last Move
will highlight the chessman that moved on the previous turn.
Show Coordinates
will draw the Rank and File coordinates on the board.
InfoBox in Landscape Mode
The InfoBox consists of the Notation bar, the Clocks and the Message box. If the width of your chess window is greater than its height, you can choose the position of the InfoBox. In Portrait Mode this setting is ignored.