

MONSTER README FILE FOR COMPLETE CHESS SYSTEM - LAST UPDATE 16/12/92
====================================================================


HOW TO OBTAIN THE BEST PERFORMANCE FROM THE COMPLETE CHESS SYSTEM
=================================================================
1. Use a fast PC! The Complete Chess System is supplied in two forms.
   a) for 80386 and above, b) for lesser processors. At Installation
   time, it detects the processor in the target PC and installs the
   appropriate version. Version a) is faster.

2. Use EMS memory. Consult your vendor or DOS manuals on how to do this.
   The Complete Chess System hash-table will make use of this EMS
   memory. Program performance is dramatically improved with a
   hash-table installed. The ABOUT box (from the FILE-MENU) will tell
   you how much hash-table memory you have installed. Please note that
   the hash-table is only enabled if your PC has at least 512K of EMS
   memory available and uses a 386 processor (or better).

3. Make sure your CONFIG.SYS file allows your PC to have sufficient
   files open at any one time. It is likely that the command:
		 FILES=20

   or similar will already have been installed by your vendor. If not,
   you should, after checking with your vendor, adjust your CONFIG.SYS
   file accordingly. The Complete Chess System needs an open file
   capability of at least 20 to operate effectively.

4. Install a disk-cache. The database functions will be dramatically
   speeded up if your PC has a disk-cache installed. Consult your vendor
   for information on installation of a disk-cache.

5. Time controller. The most effective use of time is achieved using
   'Tournament' mode.

6. Opening book. In our view the strongest opening lines will result
   from setting the book to 'Popularity'.

7. Use the small 'info' mode screen with 'sliding' pieces set to off.

8. Screen modes. The Complete Chess System will test for memory
   availability and, if memory is limited, will force the system to use
   EGA display mode or, if even more limited, to use CGA mode.
   The less time the program spends updating the screen, the faster it
   will play. Therefore CGA mode gives the best chess results! If you
   have a VGA (or EGA) monitor, you can force CGA mode on running the
   program by typing:
	CHESS /CGA <RETURN> instead of typing CHESS <RETURN>.


MEMORY PROBLEMS
===============
The Complete Chess System requires at least 550K of AVAILABLE memory to
run. You can discover how much available memory your PC has by typing:
	 CHKDSK <RETURN>

If you don't have enough available memory the program will not run.
If you have nearly enough the program will select a lower screen mode
and attempt to run.
In all the above cases an on-screen warning will appear.

If you have too little memory, you can usually free some by removing
some TSR's from your CONFIG.SYS or AUTOEXEC.BAT. Alternatively, you
could try booting from a temporary disk containing no AUTOEXEC.BAT and a
CONFIG.SYS file containing one line only:
	     FILES=20

This will have the effect of not installing any TSR's (including mouse
driver and disk-cache) and therefore maximising the available memory for
The Complete Chess System to use.


IF YOUR PC DOES NOT HAVE A MOUSE
================================
1. We suggest you get a Microsoft compatible mouse!
   Other mouse drivers are not guaranteed to work.

2. If you really want to play without a mouse:
   i) use the cursor keys to move the mouse arrow
      a) use the standard cursor keys to move the mouse arrow slowly
      b) use the numeric cursor keys to move the mouse arrow quickly
      c) note: the cursor keys will be disabled if NUM-LOCK is left on
   ii) INSERT key emulates the left-mouse button
   iii) DELETE key emulate the right-mouse button
   iv) Radio buttons in the Dialog-boxes can be sequentially accessed
       using SHIFT-UP ARROW and SHIFT-DOWN ARROW keys.
   v) The TAB key will allow movement around the various
      items within dialog boxes.
   vi) The RETURN key will accept the currently high-lighted
       item in a dialog box.


ADDITIONAL FEATURES NOT SPECIFIED IN THE MANUAL
===============================================
1. LIST DATABASE GAMES DIALOG BOX
   A 'show all games' check-box has been added, this allows for the
   non-display of 'greyed-out' games. At this time this feature is only
   partially functional !

2. SORT DATABASE
   Has been added as a menu item.
   From the SORT DATABASE dialog box, you can sort the current database
   into various orders.
   Please note that sorting takes time! A 5000 game database takes about
   45 minutes to sort using a 486 33Mhz PC with disk-cache. Slow PC,
   large database, no disk-cache? Put the kettle on!
   In practice, you should not find it necessary to sort the database
   files very often. When we need to sort, we leave the program running
   overnight.

3. OPEN DATABASE
   Database files can be read in different formats, including:
      *.CHG files - these are the standard files supplied
      *.CBF files - these are ChessBase(tm) files which are
		    available from various sources.


OBTAINING MORE DATABASE GAMES
=============================
Oxford Softworks will be supporting users by acting as an intermediary
for the reception and supply of database games at nominal cost.
If you have games to submit, we shall be pleased to receive them.
If you wish to obtain more database games:

In Germany contact:
   Thorsten Czub
   SchachComputerWelt
   Scharf Buroeinrichtungs GmbH
   Gutenbergstrasse 7
   4708 Kamen
   Industriegebeit Ost II	Tel: 02307 72098, Fax: 02307 74387

In other territories contact:
   Oxford Softworks directly.

Persons wishing to act as support and database games distributors should
apply to Oxford Softworks direct.


BEDNORZ-TONINSEN TEST POSITION RESULTS
======================================
(For those with technical knowledge on testing chess programs)
On a 33Mhz 486 PC with 4 Mbyte Hash-table, The Complete Chess System
performance with this test suite is as follows:
1. 37 secs	   11. 36 secs		21. 82 secs
2. 98 secs	   12. 220 secs 	22. 900 secs
3. 187 secs	   13. 26 secs		23. 10 secs
4. 900 secs	   14. 35 secs		24. 900 secs
5. 900 secs	   15. 1 secs		25. 900 secs
6. 30 secs	   16. 220 secs 	26. 900 secs
7. 19 secs	   17. 46 secs		27. 900 secs
8. 36 secs	   18. 40 secs		28. 2 secs
9. 160 secs	   19. 245 secs 	29. 22 secs
10. 900 secs	   20. 900 secs 	30. 900 secs

From the standard calculation method, this give a German ELO
estimate of 2098 (equivalent to UK ELO of 2258, USCF of 2358).


REGISTRATION CARD
=================
Don't forget to return your registration card to Oxford Softworks!
You will receive information on program upgrades, future products and
extra database games as they become available.

END OF README FILE
==================
