[{"TitleName":"Superchess 3","Publisher":"CP Software","Author":"Chris Whittington","YearOfRelease":"1984","ZxDbId":"0005007","Reviews":[{"Issue":{"Name":"Crash Issue 16, May 1985","Price":"£0.95","ReleaseDate":"1985-04-25","Editor":"Roger Kean","TotalPages":148,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Roger Kean\r\nAssistant Editor: Graeme Kidd\r\nTechnical Editor: Franco Frey\r\nArt Editor: Oliver Frey\r\nProduction Designer: David Western\r\nSoftware Editor: Jeremy Spencer\r\nAdventure Reviewer: Derek Brewster\r\nStrategy Reviewer: Angus Ryall\r\nStaff Writer: Lloyd Mangram\r\nContributing Writers: Matthew Uffindel, Chris Passey, Robin Candy, Ben Stone\r\nClient Liaison: John Edwards\r\nSubscription Manager: Denise Roberts\r\n\r\n©1985 Newsfield Limited.\r\nCrash Magazine is published monthly by Newsfield Ltd. [redacted]\r\n\r\nSubscriptions [redacted]\r\nEditorial/studio [redacted]\r\nAdvertising [redacted]\r\nHot Line [redacted]\r\n\r\nColour origination by Scan Studios, [redacted]; Printed in England by Carlisle Web Offset Ltd (Member of the BPCC Group), [redacted].\r\nDistribution by COMAG, [redacted]\r\n\r\nCirculation Manager: Tom Hamilton\r\nAll circulation enquiries should ring [redacted]\r\n\r\nSubscriptions: 12 issues £10.50 (UK Mainland post free), Europe: 12 issues £17.50 post free. Outside Europe by arrangement in writing.\r\n\r\nNo material may be reproduced whole or in part without written consent of the copyright holders. We cannot undertake to return any written material sent to CRASH Magazine unless accompanied by a suitably stamped addressed envelope. Unsolicited written or photo material which may be used in the magazine is paid for at our current rates. The opinions and views of correspondents are their own and not necessarily in accord with those of the publishers.\r\n\r\nCover by Oliver Frey"},"MainText":"Producer: Deep Thought/CP Software\r\nMemory Required: 48K\r\nRetail Price: £9.95\r\nLanguage: Machine code\r\nAuthor:Chris Whittington\r\n\r\nJeremy Spencer considers his endgame.\r\n\r\nI was surprised to find that we hadn't reviewed that many chess games in CRASH, I had formed the opinion that the world was awash with them and they simply were not , good enough to find their way into these hallowed pages. This one is. Superchess 3.5 claims to be 100 times faster and 1500 times more intelligent than any other prog ram. With my chess playing ability being what it is I decided to ask in Syd, our in-house chess player. More from Syd later.\r\n\r\nA lot of chess programs must surely be sold to people who either cannot play or are weak players as well as those who are brilliant; chess programs offer an important function as tutors, they don't laugh when you make a stupid move (they simply slaughter you) and they will quickly tell you if you attempt an illegal move. A program that can suggest moves is even more useful.\r\n\r\nWhat does Superchess 3.5 offer? Well there are seven basic options, the first being to set up a new game. Having done that you can request that the computer will limit its 'think time' to your average, or you could simply set the amount of time you will allow it - effectively a selection of skill levels. This option lets you set up the board to solve chess problems.\r\n\r\nOption 2 allows the board play to be analysed, but should you be in the middle of a game you could use this option to reset the game by moving pieces around in answer to the prompts. If the game isn't going too well for you, now's your chance to turn the tables a little. Option 3 simply allows the user to change the playing colours.\r\n\r\nIf a player is stuck for ideas then option 4 can be used either to make the computer play the player's move or to suggest a move. Option 4 can also display a review of the moves made to date. Option 5 allows the program and the current game to be saved to microdrive.\r\n\r\nThe screen displays a great deal of information. At the top there is a clock showing each player's total time and move time. On the left the computer shows its favoured move but as it continues to think it may change its mind. The score gives some idea who is ahead and below that 'nodes' show how many lines of possible moves the program has analysed so far. More often than not this figure is in the hundreds of thousands. The computer also shows the moves it is predicting it will make which gives the player a very good idea of the program's strategy, and using that information the player ought to be able to utterly frustrate the machine.\r\n\r\nCOMMENTS\r\n\r\nControl keys: as requested\r\nJoystick: n/a\r\nKeyboard play: very easy\r\nUse of colour: selectable\r\nGraphics: very neat\r\nSound: spot only\r\nSkill levels: varies according to time setting\r\nLives: n/a\r\nScreen: n/a","ReviewerComments":["This is without doubt one of the best implementations of chess that I have come across. Given a fair time setting it will play a very strong game but more importantly the whole program seems geared to help the novice. The information given, together with the facilities to suggest moves for the player, make this program a superb tutor. The program is menu driven and very well error checked, which makes setting up the board a delight. The graphics are very well done so the board layout is clear and intelligible. My own chess playing is very weak but I shall be using Superchess 3.5 to improve my play. See you in Moscow.\r\r\nUnknown","Syd's game started very well, he had Superchess in check after only 7 moves but from there, I'm afraid to say, that it was all downhill. Syd was reduced to adopting a defensive posture fairly early on in the game, it was apparent that Superchess wits making big plans and that Syd's success was due, in part, to being able to muck those plans up in the short term. The game lasted for 1 hour and 32 minutes and in that time 56 moves had been made. Syd was left with a King, Knight and a Pawn, he was reduced to making childish moves around the board in a vain attempt to escape the inevitable. To be fair to Syd though, Superchess only claimed to be up 104 points, the capture of a Queen is worth 144 points so Syd had pretty well held his own. To sum up, Syd's attempts at a quick kill damaged the Superchess 3.5 strategy but towards the middle game the persistence of the strategy was paying off. I should point out that Superchess was only allowed the same time as Syd to make its moves that must have cramped its style. (Syd is a ZX81 playing Mikro-Gen chess at level 2).\r\nUnknown"],"OverallSummary":"General Rating: A superb implementation, well thought out and easy to use. A must for those that want to play chess with their Spectrum.","Page":"29,30","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Jeremy Spencer","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Unknown","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Use of Computer","Score":"85%","Text":""},{"Header":"Graphics","Score":"80%","Text":""},{"Header":"Playability","Score":"80%","Text":""},{"Header":"Getting Started","Score":"75%","Text":""},{"Header":"Addictive Qualities","Score":"85%","Text":""},{"Header":"Value For Money","Score":"76%","Text":""},{"Header":"Overall","Score":"85%","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Your Computer Issue 4, Apr 1985","Price":"£1","ReleaseDate":"1985-03-21","Editor":"Toby Wolpe","TotalPages":164,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Toby Wolpe\r\nAssistant Editor: Meirion Jones\r\nProduction Editor: Ian Vallely\r\nSoftware Editor: Simon Beesley\r\nCommercial Software Editor: Paul Bond\r\nEditorial Assistant: Lee Paddon\r\nEditorial Secretary: Lynn Dawson\r\nEditorial: [redacted]\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Nick Ratnieks\r\nSenior Sales Executive: Julian Bidlake\r\nAdvertisement Executives: Nigel Borrell, Kay Filbin\r\nNorthern Office: Geoff Parker\r\nAdvertisement Secretary: Maxine Gill\r\nClassified: Susan Platts\r\nPublishing Director: Chris Hipwell\r\nGroup Advertisement Manager: Shobhan Gajjar\r\n\r\nYour Computer, [redacted]\r\n©Business Press International Ltd 1985\r\n\r\nPrinted in Great Britain for the proprietors of Business Press International Ltd, [redacted].\r\nISSN 0263-0885\r\nPrinted by Riverside Press Ltd, [redacted], and typeset by Instep Ltd, [redacted]\r\n\r\nSubscriptions: U.K. £12.50 for 12 issues.\r\nSubscription Enquiries: [redacted]\r\n\r\nABC 154,334 January-June 1984."},"MainText":"Spectrum 48K\r\nDeep Thought - CP Software\r\nBoard-game\r\n£9.95\r\n\r\nIf you're the sort of chess player who needs to know exactly what's going on in your opponent's mind, this is the program for you. If you also want an extremely fast, challenging game, the 1985 version of Superchess again fits the bill.\r\n\r\nDown the left side of the board display is Plymax. It not only shows you how far ahead the computer is looking, but also details its best line of play together with your answering moves. Beginners will find this useful because it draws attention to traps and developments they might otherwise have overlooked.\r\n\r\nThe screen also displays the times the computer and the player have taken in all, as well as the time taken for the current move. As the program is working out what to do next it tells you the move it likes best so far, how many nodes or lines of play it has analysed and your last move.\r\n\r\nUnlike most chess programs the pieces are moved round the board not with the cursor keys but by coordinates for example, E2-E4.\r\n\r\nThe way you set the level of play is again unconventional. With Superchess the amount of time you are prepared to give the computer to think over its moves determines the quality of the game. Obviously the more time you give it the better it will play.\r\n\r\nEven with only an average of 10 seconds response time the program can give you a very good game.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"47","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Toby Wolpe","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":null,"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"ZX Computing Issue 17, Feb 1985","Price":"£1.95","ReleaseDate":"1985-01-31","Editor":"Ray Elder","TotalPages":132,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Ray Elder\r\nEditorial Assistant: Jamie Clary\r\nGroup Editor: Wendy J Palmer\r\nSales Executive: Jonathan McGary\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Barry Bingham\r\nDivisional Advertising Manager: Chris Northam\r\nCopy Controller: Sue Couchman\r\nChief Executive: T J Connell\r\n\r\nOrigination and design by MM Design & Print, [redacted]\r\nPublished by Argus Specialist Publications Ltd, [redacted]\r\n\r\nZX Computing is published bi-monthly on the fourth Friday of the month. Distributed by: Argus Press Sales & Distribution Ltd. [redacted]. Printed by: Garnett Print, Rotherham and London.\r\n\r\nThe contents of this publication including all articles, designs, plans, drawings and programs and all copyright and other intellectual property rights therein belong to Argus Specialist Publications Limited. All rights conferred by the Law of Copyright and other intellectual property rights and by virtue of international copyright conventions are specifically reserved to Argus Specialist Publications Limited and any reproduction requires the prior written consent of Argus Specialist Publications Ltd.\r\n\r\n©Argus Specialist Publications Limited 1984"},"MainText":"BATTLE OF THE GIANTS\r\n\r\nPhilip Crocker and Christopher Doran match Superchess 3.0 and Cyrus IS Chess in a fight to the finish\r\n\r\nSince the Spectrum first came out there have been many chess programs written for it. As the Spectrum has become more popular there has been a greater incentive to write the best Spectrum chess program.\r\n\r\nThe two most obvious contenders for title best Spectrum chess program are Cyrus IS Chess and Superchess 3.0 by CP Software. Cyrus IS Chess is based on a program which won the 1981 European Microcomputer Chess Championship. While Superchess 3.0 comes with a guarantee from CP Software, that it will beat any other Spectrum chess program.\r\n\r\nCYRUS IS CHESS VERSUS SUPERCHESS 3.0\r\n\r\nBoth chess programs come in a well presented package which contains a cassette and an instruction booklet.\r\n\r\nCyrus contains two programs: one for the 16K and one for the 48K Spectrum. Both Cyrus programs have the following features:\r\n\r\n1 Eight playing levels.\r\n2 Cursor key movement of pieces.\r\n3 Auto-demonstration mode.\r\n4 It can be used as a chessboard by two humans.\r\n5 Take-back facility.\r\n6 Replay a game.\r\n7 Set up a position.\r\n8 It solves chess problems (up to mate in three).\r\n9 Turn round board.\r\n10 Change sides during a game.\r\n\r\nThe additional features for the 48K Spectrum are: \r\n\r\n1 Full library of chess openings.\r\n2 Change colour of board and 2 Change colour of board and pieces.\r\n3 Print out a record of the game.\r\n4 Save game on tape (for future 4 Save game on tape (for future continuation).\r\n5 Force the computer to make its best move.\r\n\r\nSuperchess 3.0 is for the 48K Spectrum only. Its features are:\r\n\r\n1 Ten playing levels.\r\n2 Recommended move option.\r\n3 Change sides and level of play during game.\r\n4 Set up a position.\r\n5 Self-play option.\r\n6 Technical information (how the program works). During the game Superchess gives itself a score dependent on positional factors and material advantage or loss.\r\n7 Library of opening moves.\r\n8 Change colour scheme.\r\n9 Solve chess problems (up to mate in four).\r\n10 List Moves.\r\n\r\nCyrus definitely has more features than Superchess 3.0. For example Cyrus's take-back facility is a very useful feature which Superchess lacks. There is also a replay feature which enables the beginner and expert alike to examine the previous game, and even to begin the game at a chosen point.\r\n\r\nCHESS ABILITY\r\n\r\nIn order to discover the chess ability of both programs we decided to play the two programs off against each other. We attempted to play the two chess programs off at approximately equal time limits. The results are shown in table 1.\r\n\r\nEXAMPLE GAME\r\n\r\nThis game was between Cyrus (white) and Superchess (black). Cyrus played on level 6 and Superchess played on level 3. The game was typical of the games which were played. Cyrus played a fine opening due to its superior opening knowledge and the game soon reached a middlegame with a positional advantage to Cyrus. Cyrus exploited this advantage with some fine, logical play and won a pawn. However this led to a multitude of exchanges and an endgame was reached with Cyrus having some winning chances and almost certain drawing chances.\r\n\r\nHowever in the endgame Superchess came into its own. Its driving, delicate play forced zugzwang (the compulsion to make a move resulting in material or positional loss) upon Cyrus. Superchess then proceeded to overwhelm the depleted Cyrus and quickly concluded the game. The moves are listed in table 2.\r\n\r\nFor those of you who are not familiar with the notation used in table 2, I will briefly explain how it works. The piece to be moved is shown by the first letter of its name except for the knight which is represented by N. There is then a dash, or an x if the move captures a piece. The square to which the piece should be moved is shown by the piece which would be on the same file at the beginning of a game and then by the number of squares forward (one to eight). The symbols are KR (kings rook), QR (queen's rook), QN, KN, Q, K, QB and KB. Kingside castling is shown by 0-0 and queenside castling by 0-0-0. Check is shown by + and ! indicates a good move. If for example two rooks could move to the same square then the correct rook is shown in brackets. The moves should be worked out by looking at the board from the point of view of the person who is moving.\r\n\r\nCONCLUSION\r\n\r\nSuperchess was the clear winner in this contest and this supports the claim that it can beat any other Spectrum chess program. Superchess seems to improve as the game goes on. Its standard opening play and weak (compared to Cyrus) opening library convey a dubious impression. Its middlegame is sound without being spectacular but its endgame is excellent and this is where it won or drew games in which it had a material or positional disadvantage. For example in the final game Cyrus reached the endgame three pawns up and with a better position after a brilliant combination. However by playing outright blunders which lost Cyrus material and decentralised its pieces it enabled Superchess to draw the game with some subtle play.\r\n\r\nCyrus was rather a disappointment in the game just described. Often it would play an excellent opening and middlegame and then lose a \"won\" endgame. Sometimes on lower levels it would play nonsensical moves in the middlegame or in the endgame. For example it would move a rook backwards and forwards for several moves which enabled Superchess to improve its position unhindered.\r\n\r\nBoth packages have room for improvement. Superchess has fewer features than Cyrus and it also has a weak opening library compared to Cyrus. Cyrus has weak endgame play and it has a habit of making nonsensical moves.\r\n\r\nCyrus iS Chess is written by Intelligent Software and is priced £9.95. It can be obtained from most computer software retailers. Superchess 3.0 costs £8.95 and can be obtained from the following address: \r\n\r\nCP SOFTWARE, [redacted]\r\n\r\nIt may also be available from good software shops.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"20,21","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Philip Crocker","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""},{"Name":"Christopher Doran","Score":"","ScoreSuffix":""}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[{"Text":"Table 1. Results from IS Chess v Superchess play off.\r\n\r\nWhite: Cyrus Level 1\r\nBlack: Superchess Level 0\r\nResult: 0.5-0.5\r\nMoves: 35\r\n\r\nWhite: Superchess Level 0\r\nBlack: Cyrus Level 1\r\nResult: 1-0\r\nMoves: 64\r\n\r\nWhite: Cyrus Level 4\r\nBlack: Superchess Level 1\r\nResult: 1-0\r\nMoves: 25\r\n\r\nWhite: Superchess Level 1\r\nBlack: Cyrus Level 4\r\nResult: 1-0\r\nMoves: 57\r\n\r\nWhite: Cyrus Level 5\r\nBlack: Superchess Level 2\r\nResult: 0-1\r\nMoves: 38\r\n\r\nWhite: Superchess Level 2\r\nBlack: Cyrus Level 5\r\nResult: 0.5-0.5\r\nMoves: 30\r\n\r\nWhite: Cyrus Level 6\r\nBlack: Superchess Level 3\r\nResult: 0-1\r\nMoves: 60\r\n\r\nWhite: Superchess Level 3\r\nBlack: Cyrus Level 6\r\nResult: 0.5-0.5\r\nMoves: 65\r\n\r\nWhite: Cyrus Level 5\r\nBlack: Superchess Level 1\r\nResult: 0.5-0.5\r\nMoves: 57\r\n\r\nWhite: Superchess Level 1\r\nBlack: Cyrus Level 5\r\nResult: 0-1\r\nMoves: 65\r\n\r\nWhite: Cyrus Level 7\r\nBlack: Superchess Level 6\r\nResult: 0-1\r\nMoves: 110\r\n\r\nWhite: Superchess Level 6\r\nBlack: Cyrus Level 7\r\nResult: 0.5-0.5\r\nMoves: 81\r\n\r\nGame: 1\r\nSuperchess: 0.5\r\nCyrus: 0.5\r\n\r\nGame: 2\r\nSuperchess: 1\r\nCyrus: 0\r\n\r\nGame: 3\r\nSuperchess: 0\r\nCyrus: 1\r\n\r\nGame: 4\r\nSuperchess: 1\r\nCyrus: 0\r\n\r\nGame: 5\r\nSuperchess: 1\r\nCyrus: 0\r\n\r\nGame: 6\r\nSuperchess: 0.5\r\nCyrus: 0.5\r\n\r\nGame: 7\r\nSuperchess: 1\r\nCyrus: 0\r\n\r\nGame: 8\r\nSuperchess: 0.5\r\nCyrus: 0.5\r\n\r\nGame: 9\r\nSuperchess: 0.5\r\nCyrus: 0.5\r\n\r\nGame: 10\r\nSuperchess: 0\r\nCyrus: 1\r\n\r\nGame: 11\r\nSuperchess: 1\r\nCyrus: 0\r\n\r\nGame: 12\r\nSuperchess: 0.5\r\nCyrus: 0.5"},{"Text":"Table 2. The Cyrus versus Superchess example game.\r\n\r\n1.P-K4 P-QB4\r\n2.P-KB4 N-QB3\r\n3.N-QB3 P-Q3\r\n4.B-Qn5 B-Q2\r\n5.N-B3 N-B3\r\n50.K-Q2 KxP\r\n6.P-Q3 P-QR3\r\n51.K-Q3 K-B4\r\n7.BxN BxB\r\n8.Q-K2 P-K3\r\n9.B-K3 P-Q4\r\n10.PxP NxP\r\n11.NxN BxN\r\n12.B-Q2 Q-KB3\r\n13.Q-K5 BxN\r\n14.QxQ PxQ\r\n15.PxN B-N2\r\n16.R-N1 0-0\r\n17.B-QB3 K-R1\r\n18.0-0-0 P-QR4\r\n19.R-N4 P-R5\r\n20.R(Q)N1 R-N8\r\n21.RxB! RxR\r\n22.BxBP R(R)N1\r\n23.R-N5 P-QN3\r\n24.K-N1 P-KR3\r\n25.R-N4! K-R2\r\n26.BxR RxR\r\n27.P-QB4 P-KB4\r\n28.RxR + KxR\r\n29.K-B2 K-83\r\n30.K-Q2 K-B2\r\n31.K-K3 P-R4\r\n32.P-R4 K-N3\r\n33.P-Q4 K-82\r\n34.P-Q5 PxP\r\n35.PxP K-K2\r\n36.P-N3 P-R6\r\n37.K-Q3 P-N4!\r\n38.P-N4 P-B5\r\n39.K-K3 K-Q2\r\n40.P-Q6 KxP\r\n41.K-Q4 Kb3!\r\n42.K-B3 K-Q4\r\n43.K-B2 K-75\r\n44.K-Q2 P-B6+\r\n45.K-K2 P-B7\r\n46.K-Q2 P-B8(Q)\r\n47.KxQ K-B6\r\n48.K-Q1 KQ6!\r\n49.K-B1 K-85\r\n50.K-Q2 KxP\r\n51.K-Q3 K-B4\r\n52.K-B3 P-N5+\r\n53.K-Q3 K-B4\r\n54.PxP P-R7\r\n55.K-B2 R-R8(Q)\r\n56.K-Q3 Q-Q5+\r\n57.K-B2 K-N5\r\n58.K-N1 Kxp\r\n59.K-B1 Q-Q5\r\n60.Q-Q8 mate"}],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":null,"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Sinclair User Issue Annual 1985,  1985","Price":"£2.25","ReleaseDate":"1984-12-01","Editor":"Bill Scolding","TotalPages":140,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editor: Bill Scolding\r\nDeputy Editor: John Gilbert\r\nConsultant Editor: Mike Johnston\r\nStaff Writer: Chris Bourne\r\nIllustrator/Designer: Craig Kennedy\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Martin Derx\r\nAdvertisement Secretary: Claudia Viertel\r\nProduction Assistant: James McClure\r\nEditorial Assistant: Colette McDermott\r\nSubscriptions Manager: Carl Dunne\r\nAssistant Publisher: Neil Wood\r\nPublisher: Gerry Murray\r\n\r\nSinclair User is published monthly by EMAP Business & Computer Publications\r\n\r\n96,271 Jan-June 1984\r\n\r\nTelephone\r\nEditorial and advertising departments\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nIf you would like to contribute to Sinclair User please send programs or articles:\r\nSinclair User\r\nEMAP Business & Computer Publications\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\nOriginal programs should be on cassette and articles should be typed. We cannot undertake to return them unless a stamped-addressed envelope is included.\r\n\r\nWe pay £10 for the copyright of each program published and £50 per 1,000 words for each article used.\r\n\r\nAll subscription enquiries to\r\nMagazine Services,\r\nEMAP Business & Computer Publications\r\n[redacted]\r\n\r\n©Copyright 1984\r\nSinclair User\r\nISSN NO. 0262-5458\r\n\r\nPrinted and typeset by Cradley Print PLC, [redacted]\r\n\r\nDistributed by EMAP National Publications Ltd."},"MainText":"SUPERCHESS III\r\n£8.95\r\nCP Software\r\n\r\nOnly one chess program of note was launched in 1984 and that was Superchess III from CP Software.\r\n\r\nAs well as allowing you to play games at 10 levels of difficulty, the program will also analyse chess problems of up to four mating moves. The option will also give you an idea of how mate in various positions should be achieved.\r\n\r\nA relative beginner can play on level one and have the feeling that he is a good match for the computer. On the higher levels, which can take some time to play, the expert at chess will find the computer an impressive opponent.\r\n\r\nAll the usual features which have become part of computer chess games are included. There is a recommended move option, an option to change sides halfway through a game, and a routine which will allow you to change the colours of both the pieces and the board.\r\n\r\nAn extra feature which is not included in most other chess games for the Spectrum is the technical information option. The section will tell you briefly about the techniques which the computer uses to find its moves and which are used when it analyses problems.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"49","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"John Gilbert","Score":"9","ScoreSuffix":"/10"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Gilbert Factor","Score":"9/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]},{"Issue":{"Name":"Personal Computer News Issue 100, Feb 1985","Price":"","ReleaseDate":"1985-02-23","Editor":"Peter Worlock","TotalPages":42,"HasCoverTape":false,"FlannelPanel":"Editorial\r\nEditor: Peter Worlock\r\nDeputy Editor: David Guest\r\nProduction Editor: Lauraine Turner\r\nDeputy Production Editor: Harriet Arnold\r\nEditor's Assistant: Karen Isaac\r\nFeatures Editor: John Lettice\r\nSoftware Editor: Bryan Skinner\r\nPeripherals Editor: Kenn Garroch\r\nHardware Editor: Stuart Cooke\r\nArt Editor: Dave Alexander\r\nPublisher: Cyndy Miles\r\nPublishing Manager: Peter Goldstein\r\n\r\nAdvertising\r\nAdvertisement Manager: Sarah Barron\r\nAssistant Advertisement Manager: Laura Cade\r\nSales Executives: Phil Benson, Mike Blackman, Jacqui Edmiston, Andrew Flint, Sarah Musgrave, Tony O'Reilly\r\nProduction: Richard Gaffrey\r\nAdvertisement Assistant: Andrea Laurence\r\nSubscription Enquiries: Gill Stevens\r\nSubscription Address: [redacted]\r\nEditorial Address: [redacted]\r\nAdvertising Address: [redacted]\r\n\r\nPublished by VNU Business Publications, [redacted]\r\n© VNU 1983. No material maybe reproduced in whole or in part without written consent from the copyright holders.\r\nPhotoset by Quickset, [redacted]\r\nPrinted by Chase Web Offset, [redacted]\r\nDistributed by Seymour Press, [redacted]\r\nRegistered at the PO as a newspaper"},"MainText":"PRICE: £9.95\r\nPUBLISHER: Deep Though - (Distributor CP Software) [redacted]\r\n\r\nCP Software's new chess program is a vast improvement in power, speed and facilities over its earlier 3.0 version.\r\n\r\nThe main display is split in two with pertinent data on the left, the board on the right. As well as displaying its move in standard algebraic notation, the program also provides the following information as it searches: its best move found so far; a points evaluation based on material gained or lost and the general position of the pieces (a plus indicates that the program believes itself to be ahead, a minus that it is losing; number of nodes (lines of play) searched; play (moves per side) depth reached; current best line of play, showing its best moves and the expected consequential moves, down to the level of play reached in the search.\r\n\r\nIn addition, there are clocks for both players, recording both the total elapsed time and the time taken for the current move. The display also shows the total number of moves and the program's time limit.\r\n\r\nWhile this information is all grist to the mill, what a pity the program hasn't provided the option to suppress the best line of play data. This is effectively a hint as to your next move, so whether you want a hint or not, you've got one. All this data tends to make the left side a little cluttered so that when the program displays its selected move, you must search the rest of the stuff for it.\r\n\r\nThe time limit for the computer's response can be set at anything from 5-999 seconds or you can let it match your own speed. There's an excellent problem-solving mode (mate in up to four moves) which displays all mates, not just the first it finds. Other facilities let you: set up board positions, change the colours of the board and pieces, list the last 62 moves, play black or white (and invert the board) and save the program and current game to Microdrive. It plays to a good standard and is likely to be the best chess program you'll find for the Spectrum.\r\n\r\nWith its many features and fast play, Superchess 3.5 is an excellent chess program and can be confidently recommended to all Spectrum owning lovers of the Royal Game.","ReviewerComments":[],"OverallSummary":"","Page":"34","Denied":false,"Award":"Not Awarded","Reviewers":[{"Name":"Bob Chappell","Score":"8","ScoreSuffix":"/10"}],"ScreenshotText":[],"BlurbText":[],"TranscriptBy":"Chris Bourne","ReviewScores":[{"Header":"Overall","Score":"8/10","Text":""}],"CompilationReviewScores":[]}]}]