4 It is possible to play chess matches on the server by typing your moves and
5 having board positions displayed in a simple style. However, it is also
6 possible to use a graphics interface for making moves and displaying board
7 positions. A graphics interface is a software program designed to decode the
8 information sent to you by FICS and display board information using stylized
9 graphics. It also allows you to make moves by moving pieces on its board
12 Which graphics interface will work best for you will depend upon the kind
13 of computer you are using, and the way you are being connected to the server.
14 Many graphics interfaces are available at the main chess ftp site
15 (ics.onenet.net). Feel free to ask FICS users about what is working best for
16 them, and feel free to examine the files at ics.onenet.net.
18 If you use a graphics interface, you will need to select the board style
19 that is most appropriate for your software.
21 See Also: set style variables
27 Listed in this helpfile are details of graphical interfaces. Often it is
28 difficult to play chess using the 'ASCII' boards the server generates. They
29 aren't easy to see, and are affected by other information such as shouts. The
30 graphical ones give you a proper chess board on which to view your pieces,
31 making your chess easier to play.
35 =============================================================================
36 Graphical Required Computer Operating Interface Location
37 Interface System and Software Program at ICL
39 ==============================================================================
40 ZIICS # DOS, modem Zek pub/chess/DOS
41 GIICS DOS, modem LLama pub/chess/DOS
42 Monarc DOS, modem *Kevster pub/chess/DOS
43 JIICS DOS, VGA, modem, mouse Peluri pub/chess/DOS
44 NGIICS DOS, TCP/IP LLama pub/chess/DOS
45 Raja # MS Win3, modem and SLIP/PPP Christian pub/chess/Win3
46 Gilchess MS Win3, modem Bloodrake pub/chess/Win3
47 bludrake MS Win3, modem Bloodrake pub/chess/Win3
48 SLICS # MS Win3, TCP/IP dfong pub/chess/Win3
49 Toolkit ## MS Win3, TCP/IP and/or modem MaDHaTteR pub/chess/Win3
50 WinBoard WinNT or W95, TCP/IP and/or modem mann pub/chess/Win3
51 PMICS OS/2, TCP/IP and/or modem woof pub/chess/DOS
52 XBoard # Unix, X11R4, TCP/IP and/or modem mann pub/chess/X
53 xics Unix, X11R3 , TCP/IP *observer pub/chess/X
54 cics TCP/IP and C, ASCII terminal *observer pub/chess/Unix
55 NeXTICS NeXT, TCP/IP and/or modem red pub/chess/NeXT
56 MacICS Mac *douglas pub/chess/Macintosh
57 E-ICS Mac, Modem *douglas pub/chess/Macintosh
58 MacICS-TCP Mac, TCP/IP eew pub/chess/Macintosh
59 Aics Amiga, TCP/IP and/or modem Christian pub/chess/Amiga
60 AmyBoard Amiga, TCP/IP and/or modem JochenW pub/chess/Amiga
61 ==============================================================================
63 # Recommended and popular.
64 ## Not yet working well on FICS.
65 * No account on FICS yet.
67 Note: The handles of the authors may refer to the handles of people at the
68 old Aics. Certain ones may be different people here or non-existent.
69 Most interfaces should work; both the authors and the FICS programmers
70 would like feedback if you have problems with one here.
73 The listing will explain which interfaces will run on your particular
74 set-up and in which directory to find it. It may have comments from the
75 users/authors of the interfaces to help you choose.
77 If you have any further questions or trouble please contact an admin.
79 Instructions for getting an interface
80 -------------------------------------
82 The above graphical interfaces can be found at the anonymous ftp site
83 chess.onenet.net (URL: ftp://ftp.onenet.net/) Most come with some
86 Pick one, use ftp (read the "ftp_hints" help file for assistance), Netscape
87 or some similar software to access it over the Internet, transfer it to your
88 local PC system or workstation via your preferred method (zmodem, kermit for
89 most non tcp/ip dialup connections), unpack it (most use standard archival
90 software or are self-extracting), and set it up. :-)
92 Comments on interfaces
93 ----------------------
95 This listing will explain the interfaces in a little more detail. Many have
96 comments from the users/authors of the interfaces. Also indicated are the
97 directories at onenet.net that hold the interfaces.
99 If you have any further questions or trouble please contact an admin.
102 PC and compatibles (Using DOS and modem): pub/chess/DOS
103 -----------------------------------------
106 A very popular interface for the PC. ZIICS requires a regular modem
107 connection and a graphics adapter (VGA, EGA, CGA or Hercules). In VGA
108 there are several styles of sets from 32 pixels per square to 56 pixels
109 per square (almost fills the screen vertically). You can configure the
110 colors and the functions of the buttons by editing a text file.
116 You will need VGA and a mouse to use this.
121 PC and compatibles (Using DOS and TCP/IP): pub/chess/DOS
122 ------------------------------------------
127 PC and compatibles (Using Windows and modem): pub/chess/Win3
128 ---------------------------------------------
130 Raja (elephant) by Christian:
131 Works well with Win95. Noticable speed increase (and its not even 32 bit
132 yet!). Tested with 486-DX4-100. [note from Christian]
134 Gilchess by Azorduldu:
136 bludrake by Bloodrake:
139 PC and compatibles (Using Windows and TCP/IP): pub/chess/Win3
140 ----------------------------------------------
144 Toolkit by MaDHaTteR:
145 Should work here soon.
148 PC and compatibles (Using Windows NT(or 95) and TCP/IP): pub/chess/Win3
149 --------------------------------------------------------
152 finger mann for the latest details.
155 PC and compatibles (OS/2 PM ): pub/chess/DOS
156 ------------------------------
161 Unix (Xwindows): pub/chess/X
165 Certainly the best of the Unix interfaces and still is being supported to
166 work better at FICS. Owners of Unix machines are well advised to get this
167 interface. It is also suitable for use with GNUchess. [comment by DAV]
168 Finger mann for the latest details.
173 Unix (vt100 terminal): pub/chess/Unix
174 ----------------------
185 MAC: pub/chess/Macintosh
191 MAC (Modem): pub/chess/Macintosh
197 MAC (TCP\IP): pub/chess/Macintosh
203 Amiga: pub/chess/Amiga:
207 Will work with 2.04 Kickstart and should be compatible with newer
215 [Last modified: December 25, 1995 -- Friar]