interfaces It is possible to play chess matches on the server by typing your moves and having board positions displayed in a simple style. However, it is also possible to use a graphics interface for making moves and displaying board positions. A graphics interface is a software program designed to decode the information sent to you by FICS and display board information using stylized graphics. It also allows you to make moves by moving pieces on its board using a mouse. Which graphics interface will work best for you will depend upon the kind of computer you are using, and the way you are being connected to the server. Many graphics interfaces are available at the main chess ftp site (ics.onenet.net). Feel free to ask FICS users about what is working best for them, and feel free to examine the files at ics.onenet.net. If you use a graphics interface, you will need to select the board style that is most appropriate for your software. See Also: set style variables List of interfaces ------------------ Listed in this helpfile are details of graphical interfaces. Often it is difficult to play chess using the 'ASCII' boards the server generates. They aren't easy to see, and are affected by other information such as shouts. The graphical ones give you a proper chess board on which to view your pieces, making your chess easier to play. Here's a summary: ============================================================================= Graphical Required Computer Operating Interface Location Interface System and Software Program at ICL Program Author ============================================================================== ZIICS # DOS, modem Zek pub/chess/DOS GIICS DOS, modem LLama pub/chess/DOS Monarc DOS, modem *Kevster pub/chess/DOS JIICS DOS, VGA, modem, mouse Peluri pub/chess/DOS NGIICS DOS, TCP/IP LLama pub/chess/DOS Raja # MS Win3, modem and SLIP/PPP Christian pub/chess/Win3 Gilchess MS Win3, modem Bloodrake pub/chess/Win3 bludrake MS Win3, modem Bloodrake pub/chess/Win3 SLICS # MS Win3, TCP/IP dfong pub/chess/Win3 Toolkit ## MS Win3, TCP/IP and/or modem MaDHaTteR pub/chess/Win3 WinBoard WinNT or W95, TCP/IP and/or modem mann pub/chess/Win3 PMICS OS/2, TCP/IP and/or modem woof pub/chess/DOS XBoard # Unix, X11R4, TCP/IP and/or modem mann pub/chess/X xics Unix, X11R3 , TCP/IP *observer pub/chess/X cics TCP/IP and C, ASCII terminal *observer pub/chess/Unix NeXTICS NeXT, TCP/IP and/or modem red pub/chess/NeXT MacICS Mac *douglas pub/chess/Macintosh E-ICS Mac, Modem *douglas pub/chess/Macintosh MacICS-TCP Mac, TCP/IP eew pub/chess/Macintosh Aics Amiga, TCP/IP and/or modem Christian pub/chess/Amiga AmyBoard Amiga, TCP/IP and/or modem JochenW pub/chess/Amiga ============================================================================== # Recommended and popular. ## Not yet working well on FICS. * No account on FICS yet. Note: The handles of the authors may refer to the handles of people at the old Aics. Certain ones may be different people here or non-existent. Most interfaces should work; both the authors and the FICS programmers would like feedback if you have problems with one here. The listing will explain which interfaces will run on your particular set-up and in which directory to find it. It may have comments from the users/authors of the interfaces to help you choose. If you have any further questions or trouble please contact an admin. Instructions for getting an interface ------------------------------------- The above graphical interfaces can be found at the anonymous ftp site chess.onenet.net (URL: ftp://ftp.onenet.net/) Most come with some instructions. :-) Pick one, use ftp (read the "ftp_hints" help file for assistance), Netscape or some similar software to access it over the Internet, transfer it to your local PC system or workstation via your preferred method (zmodem, kermit for most non tcp/ip dialup connections), unpack it (most use standard archival software or are self-extracting), and set it up. :-) Comments on interfaces ---------------------- This listing will explain the interfaces in a little more detail. Many have comments from the users/authors of the interfaces. Also indicated are the directories at onenet.net that hold the interfaces. If you have any further questions or trouble please contact an admin. PC and compatibles (Using DOS and modem): pub/chess/DOS ----------------------------------------- ZIICS by Zek: A very popular interface for the PC. ZIICS requires a regular modem connection and a graphics adapter (VGA, EGA, CGA or Hercules). In VGA there are several styles of sets from 32 pixels per square to 56 pixels per square (almost fills the screen vertically). You can configure the colors and the functions of the buttons by editing a text file. [comment by Zek] GIICS by LLama: JIICS by Peluri: You will need VGA and a mouse to use this. Monarc by Kevster: PC and compatibles (Using DOS and TCP/IP): pub/chess/DOS ------------------------------------------ NGIICS by LLama: PC and compatibles (Using Windows and modem): pub/chess/Win3 --------------------------------------------- Raja (elephant) by Christian: Works well with Win95. Noticable speed increase (and its not even 32 bit yet!). Tested with 486-DX4-100. [note from Christian] Gilchess by Azorduldu: bludrake by Bloodrake: PC and compatibles (Using Windows and TCP/IP): pub/chess/Win3 ---------------------------------------------- SLICS by dfong: Toolkit by MaDHaTteR: Should work here soon. PC and compatibles (Using Windows NT(or 95) and TCP/IP): pub/chess/Win3 -------------------------------------------------------- WinBoard by mann: finger mann for the latest details. PC and compatibles (OS/2 PM ): pub/chess/DOS ------------------------------ PMICS by woof: Unix (Xwindows): pub/chess/X ---------------- XBoard by mann: Certainly the best of the Unix interfaces and still is being supported to work better at FICS. Owners of Unix machines are well advised to get this interface. It is also suitable for use with GNUchess. [comment by DAV] Finger mann for the latest details. xics by observer: Unix (vt100 terminal): pub/chess/Unix ---------------------- cics by observer: NeXT: pub/chess/NeXT ----- NeXTICS by red: MAC: pub/chess/Macintosh ---- MacICS by douglas: MAC (Modem): pub/chess/Macintosh ------------ E-ICS by douglas: MAC (TCP\IP): pub/chess/Macintosh ------------- MacTCP by eew: Amiga: pub/chess/Amiga: ------ Aics by Christian: Will work with 2.04 Kickstart and should be compatible with newer versions. AmyBoard by JochenW: See also: ftp_hints [Last modified: December 25, 1995 -- Friar]