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NAME

       xshogi - Xt/Athena user interface for gnushogi

SYNOPSIS

       xshogi [ options ]

DESCRIPTION

       xshogi  provides  an X11/Xt/Athena Widgets user interface for gnushogi.
       With xshogi you can play gnushogi, set up  arbitrary  positions,  force
       variations,  or  watch xshogi manage a game between two shogi programs.
       Furthermore, it can be used as an  interface  between  two  players  on
       different displays.

       xshogi  can  also  be used as a shogi board to play out games.  It will
       read through a game file or allow a player to play through a  variation
       manually  (force  mode).   This  is  useful  for keeping track of email
       postal games or browsing games off the net.

       After starting xshogi, you can make moves by pressing  mouse  button  1
       while  the  cursor  is over a square with your piece on it and dragging
       the mouse to another square.  If the move is illegal, gnushogi will not
       allow it.  xshogi will then retract the move.

RULES

       Shogi  is  a  Japanese board game played by two players.  The object of
       the game is to capture the opponent’s King.  Shogi is played on a nine-
       by-nine  board. The vertical rows are called files, the horizontal ones
       ranks or just rows. Each player has twenty pieces: one King,  two  Gold
       Generals,  two  Silver Generals, two kNights, two Lances, one Rook, one
       Bishop and nine Pawns.  The player moving up the board and  making  the
       first  move is referred to as black and his opponent white, although in
       Shogi sets all pieces have the same  colour.  They  are  differentiated
       only  in  direction:  pieces  pointing  away from a player are his. The
       pieces lie flat on the board and have their Japanese  name  written  on
       them.

   Moves
       King    one step in any direction per move

       Gold General
               one step per move any way except diagonally backward (as a king
               but not diagonally backward)

       Silver General
               one step per move forwards or diagonally (as  a  king  but  not
               sideways or vertically backward)

       Knight  one  step  to  left  or  right, and two steps forward (the only
               piece which may jump over other pieces)

       Rook    moves vertically or horizontally any distance

       Bishop  moves diagonally any distance

       Lance   moves forward any distance

       Pawn    one step forward

   Promotion
       The three rows furthest away from a player  are  called  the  promotion
       zone.  Apart from the King and the Gold, any piece can be promoted to a
       more powerful piece when it makes a move completely or  partly  in  the
       promotion zone. So, when a piece moves into, out of or fully inside the
       promotion zone  it  may  be  promoted  upon  completion  of  its  move.
       Promotion  is  optional, provided that the piece still can make a legal
       move in case it is not promoted: if a Pawn or a Lance move to the  last
       row,  or  a  Knight  moves  to  either of the last two rows, it must be
       promoted. In Shogi sets promoting a piece is done by turning this piece
       upside down. Its promoted name is written on its other side.

       Apart from the King and the Gold General all pieces can promote.  After
       promotion their moves are as follows:

       +       Promoted Silver, promoted kNight, promoted Lance  and  promoted
               Pawn all move as a Gold.

       +       The  promoted  Rook  in addition to the moves of the unpromoted
               Rook can move one step in the diagonal  directions.  It  either
               moves like a Rook or like a King.

       +       The  promoted Bishop in addition to the moves of the unpromoted
               Bishop can move one step horizontally or vertically. It  either
               moves like a Bishop or like a King.

   Capturing and dropping pieces
       When  one  piece moves onto the same square as an opponent’s piece, the
       opponent’s piece is captured. All pieces capture in the same  way  that
       they  move.  Captured  pieces become part of the capturer’s force. In a
       later move, instead of moving a piece on the board, a player may put  a
       piece that he has captured from his opponent back onto the board, in an
       empty square.  This is called  dropping  a  piece.  Pieces  are  always
       dropped  unpromoted: if a promoted piece is captured, it reverts to its
       unpromoted rank.  Pieces may be dropped on  any  empty  square  on  the
       board with only three restrictions:

       1)      After  dropping  a  piece it must be able to make a legal move.
               This applies to Pawns, Knights  or  Lances.  They  may  not  be
               dropped  onto  a  square  from which they will never be able to
               move.

       2)      Attacking the King by dropping a Pawn on the square in front of
               him is not allowed if the King cannot prevent being captured on
               the following move.  To use the Chess  expression:  checkmating
               the King with a Pawn drop is prohibited.

       3)      A pawn may only be dropped on a file (vertical row) if there is
               no other unpromoted pawn of the same player on that file.

   Draws
       The game of Shogi has  very  few  draws  (roughly  1  percent),  mainly
       because  of the possibility to drop pieces. Draws cannot be offered and
       can arise from two situations:

       1)      A position (including the pieces in hand) occurs 4  times  with
               the  same  player  to  move ("Sennichite"). However, if this is
               caused by consecutive  checks  (direct  attacks  on  the  King,
               threatening  to  capture  it on the next move) by one side, the
               player giving these checks loses the game.

       2)      Both players have moved their King into the the promotion  zone
               (or  they cannot be prevented to do so) and the Kings cannot be
               checkmated. In that case the players may decide to count  their
               pieces where the King does not count, the Rook and Bishop count
               as 5 points, and all other pieces as one  point.  Promotion  is
               disregarded.  If  both players have at least 24 points the game
               is a draw ("Jishogi"). If a player has less, he loses the game.

       Of course, a player can refuse to count pieces when he still has mating
       chances or chances to gain material which would affect the  outcome  of
       the  counting.  There is no strict rule about what to do if this is not
       the case, but nonetheless a player refuses to count up (e.g. because he
       does not have enough points for a draw). It has been generally accepted
       that in such a case the game ends and the pieces are counted after  one
       player  has  managed  to  get all his pieces protected in the promotion
       zone.

OPTIONS

       The following command line options also correspond to X resources  that
       you can set in your .Xdefaults or .Xresources file.

       standard Xt options
               xshogi  accepts  standard  Xt options like -display, -geometry,
               -iconic, -bg etc.

       -tc or -timeControl minutes[:seconds]
               Amount  of  time   for   a   set   of   moves   determined   by
               movesPerSession.   If this number of moves is played within the
               time control period, xshogi resets the time clocks.  Default: 5
               minutes.

       -mps or -movesPerSession moves
               Number of moves in a time control period.  Default: 40 moves.

       -st or -searchTime minutes[:seconds]
               Tell  gnushogi  to  spend  at  most  the  given  amount of time
               searching for each of its moves.  Without this option, gnushogi
               chooses its search time based on the number of moves and amount
               of time remaining until the next time  control.   Setting  this
               option also sets -clockMode to False.

       -sd or -searchDepth number
               Tell  gnushogi  to look ahead at most the given number of moves
               when searching for  a  move  to  make.   Without  this  option,
               gnushogi  chooses its search depth based on the number of moves
               and amount of time  remaining  until  the  next  time  control.
               Setting this option also sets -clockMode to False.

       -clock or -clockMode (True | False)
               Determines  whether  or  not to use the clock.  If clockMode is
               False, the clock does not run, but the side  that  is  to  play
               next is still highlighted.

       -td or -timeDelay seconds
               Time delay between moves during "Load Game".  This doesn’t have
               to be round numbers.  Try -td 0.4.  Default: 1 second.

       -nsp or -noShogiProgram (True | False)
               If this option is True, xshogi acts as a passive shogiboard; it
               does  not  try  to  start  a  shogi  program, not even to check
               whether moves made in Force  mode  are  legal.   It  also  sets
               -clockMode to False.  Default: False.

       -fsp or -firstShogiProgram program
               Name  of first shogi program.  In matches between two machines,
               this program plays white.  Default: "gnushogi".

       -ssp or -secondShogiProgram program
               Name of second shogi program, if needed.   In  matches  between
               two  machines,  this  program  plays black; otherwise it is not
               started.  Default: "gnushogi".

       -fh or -firstHost host
               Name of host  the  first  shogi  program  plays  on.   Default:
               "localhost".

       -sh or -secondHost host
               Name  of  host  the  second  shogi  program plays on.  Default:
               "localhost".

       -rsh or -remoteShell shell_name
               Some systems do not use rsh as the remote shell.   This  option
               allows a user to name the remote shell command.  This should be
               done in the resource file.

       -mm or -matchMode (False | Init | Position | Opening)
               Automatically  run  a  game   between   firstShogiProgram   and
               secondShogiProgram.   If  matchMode is set to Init, xshogi will
               start the game with the initial shogi position.   If  matchMode
               is  set  to  Position,  xshogi  will  start  the  game with the
               position  specified  by  the  loadPositionFile  resource.    If
               matchMode  is  set to Opening, xshogi will play out the opening
               moves  specified  by  the  -loadGameFile  resource.    If   the
               -saveGameFile resource is set, a move record for the match will
               be saved in the specified file.  Default: "False".

       -lgf or -loadGameFile file
               Name of file to read a game record from.  Game files are  found
               in  the  directory  named by the SHOGIDIR environment variable.
               If this variable is not set,  the  current  directory  is  used
               unless the file name starts with a /.

       -lpf or -loadPositionFile file
               Name  of file to read a game position from.  Position files are
               found in  the  directory  named  by  the  SHOGIDIR  environment
               variable.   If  this variable is not set, the current directory
               is used unless the file name starts with a /.

       -sgf or -saveGameFile file
               Name of file to save a game record to.  Game files are saved in
               the  directory  named by the SHOGIDIR environment variable.  If
               this variable is not set, the current directory is used  unless
               the file name starts with a /.

       -spf or -savePositionFile file
               Name  of  file  to save a game position to.  Position files are
               saved in  the  directory  named  by  the  SHOGIDIR  environment
               variable.   If  this variable is not set, the current directory
               is used unless the file name starts with a /.

       -coords or -showCoords (True | False)
               If this option is True, xshogi displays  algebraic  coordinates
               along the board’s left and bottom edges.  The default is False.
               The coordFont resource specifies what font to use.

       -mono or -monoMode (True | False)
               Monochrome mode.  You shouldn’t  have  to  specify  monochrome.
               xshogi will determine if this is necessary.

       -pc or -pieceColor color
               Color  specification  for  pieces  suitable  for XParseColor().
               Default: #FFFFD7.

       -sc or -squareColor color
               Same for squares.  Default: #EBDFB0.

       -wps or -westernPieceSet (True | False)
               Choose the Western style piece set.

       -npb or -normalPawnBitmap file
       -nnb or -normalKnightBitmap file
       -nbb or -normalBishopBitmap file
       -nrb or -normalRookBitmap file
       -nkb or -normalKingBitmap file
               Names of the bitmap files for the bitmap piece icons.

       -rpb or -reversePawnBitmap file
       -rnb or -reverseKnightBitmap file
       -rbb or -reverseBishopBitmap file
       -rrb or -reverseRookBitmap file
       -rkb or -reverseKingBitmap file
               Names of the bitmap files for the outline piece icons.

       -debug or -debugMode (True | False)
               Turns on debugging printout.

RESOURCES

       initString
               The actual string that is sent to initialize the shogi  program
               can  be  set from .Xdefaults.  It can’t be set from the command
               line  because  of  syntax  problems.   The  default  value   is
               "new\nbeep\nrandom\neasy\n".  The "new" and "beep" commands are
               required.  You can remove the "random"  command  if  you  like;
               including  it  causes  gnushogi to randomize its move selection
               slightly so that it doesn’t play the same moves in every  game.
               Even  without "random", gnushogi randomizes its choice of moves
               from its opening book.  You can also remove "easy" if you like;
               including  it  toggles easy mode off, causing gnushogi to think
               on  your  time.   That  is,  if  "easy"  is  included  in   the
               initString,  gnushogi thinks on your time; if not, it does not.
               (Yes, this does seem backwards, doesn’t it.)  You can also  try
               adding  other  commands  to  the  initString;  see the gnushogi
               documentation for details.

       blackString and whiteString
               These resources control what is sent when the Machine Black and
               Machine  White  buttons  are  selected.   This  is  mostly  for
               compatibility with obsolete versions of gnushogi.

       Alternate bitmaps for piece icons can be specified either  by  choosing
       one  of  the  built-in  sets  or with the file name resources described
       above.  There are three built-in sets of piece bitmaps available, large
       (the  default),  medium, or small.  It is easiest to select the set you
       prefer in the .Xdefaults file:

       XShogi*boardSize:   Medium

       The font used for button labels and comments  can  be  changed  in  the
       .Xdefaults  file.   You  may  want  to choose a smaller font if you are
       using the small pieces:

       XShogi*font:    helvetica_oblique12

       The font used for coordinates (when the showCoords option is True)  can
       be set similarly:

       XShogi*coordFont:    helvetica_10

       If you are using a grayscale monitor, try setting the colors to:

       XShogi*pieceColor:     gray100
       XShogi*squareColor:    gray60

COMMAND BUTTONS AND KEYS

       Quit    Quits xshogi.  Q or q is a keyboard equivalent.

       Reset   Resets  xshogi  to  the  beginning  of  a  shogi game.  It also
               deselects any game or position files.

       Flip View
               inverts the view of the shogi board.

       Hint    displays a move hint from gnushogi.

       Load Game
               plays a game from a record file.  If no  file  is  specified  a
               popup  dialog asks for a filename.  Game files are found in the
               directory named by the SHOGIDIR environment variable.  If  this
               variable  is  not  declared  then the current directory is used
               unless the file name starts with a /.  G or  g  is  a  keyboard
               equivalent.   The  game file parser will accept almost any file
               that contains moves in algebraic notation.  If the  first  line
               begins  with ‘#’, it is assumed to be a title and is displayed.
               Text enclosed in parentheses or square brackets is  assumed  to
               be  commentary  and is displayed in a pop-up window.  Any other
               text in the file is ignored.

       Load Position
               sets up a position  from  a  position  file.   If  no  file  is
               specified  a  popup dialog asks for a filename.  Position files
               are found in the directory named by  the  SHOGIDIR  environment
               variable.   If  this  variable is not declared then the current
               directory is used  unless  the  file  name  starts  with  a  /.
               Position  files  must  be  in the format that the Save Position
               command writes.

       Save Game
               saves a game to a record file.  If no file is specified a popup
               dialog  asks  for a filename.  If the filename exists, the user
               is asked whether the current game record is be appended to this
               file  or  if the file should be replaced.  Game files are saved
               in the directory named by the  SHOGIDIR  environment  variable.
               If  this variable is not declared then the current directory is
               used unless the file name starts with  a  /.   Game  files  are
               human-readable,  and  can  also  be  read back by the Load Game
               command.  Furthermore,  they  are  accepted  as  gnushogi  text
               bookfiles.

       Save Position
               saves a position to a position file.  If no file is specified a
               popup dialog asks for a filename.  Position files are saved  in
               the  directory  named by the SHOGIDIR environment variable.  If
               this variable is not declared then  the  current  directory  is
               used  unless the file name starts with a /.  Position files are
               human-readable, and can also be read back by the Load  Position
               command.

       Machine White
               forces gnushogi to play white.

       Machine Black
               forces gnushogi to play black.

       Force Moves
               forces  a series of moves.  That is, gnushogi stops playing and
               xshogi allows you to make moves for both white and black.

       Two Machines
               plays a game between two computer programs.

       Forward moves forward through a series of remembered moves.  F or f  is
               a keyboard equivalent.

       Backward
               moves backward through a series of remembered moves.  As a side
               effect, puts xshogi into  Force  Moves  mode.   B  or  b  is  a
               keyboard equivalent.

       Pause   pauses  the clocks or (in Load Game mode) pauses the game being
               loaded.  Press Pause again to continue.  P or p is  a  keyboard
               equivalent.

       Edit Position
               lets  you set up an arbitrary board position.  Use mouse button
               1 to drag pieces to new  squares,  or  to  delete  a  piece  by
               dragging it off the board or dragging an empty square on top of
               it.  To drop a new piece on a square, press mouse button 2 or 3
               over the square.  This brings up a menu of black pieces (button
               2) or white pieces (button 3).  Additional menu choices let you
               empty  the  square or clear the board.  You can set the side to
               play next by clicking on the Black or White  indicator  at  the
               top of the screen.

       Challenge
               allows  you  to  make  a  two  display  game  between two human
               players.  Enter the display you want to connect to. If you  are
               allowed  to  connect,  a  new  board is displayed at the remote
               display.  Challenge  mode  can  only  be  stopped  by  pressing
               "quit".

       Select Level
               allows  you  to  reset  the clocks for both players.  Enter the
               number of moves and the number of minutes in  which  the  moves
               should be done.

       Move NOW
               force  computer  to  stop thinking and to make the current best
               move.

       Iconify I, i, C or c iconifies xshogi.

SEE ALSO

       gnushogi(6)

LIMITATIONS

       If you press the Pause button during gnushogi’s turn, xshogi will  stop
       the clocks, but gnushogi will still make a move.

       After a mate or draw when playing against gnushogi, if you back up with
       the Backward button, the clocks are reset (because gnushogi has  exited
       and must be restarted).

       Some  xshogi  functions  may not work with versions of gnushogi earlier
       than 1.1, patchlevel 02.

       The game parser recognizes only algebraic notation.

AUTHORS

       Original authors of XBoard:  Chris Sears and Dan Sears.

       Enhancements for XBoard (Version 2.0):  Tim Mann.

       Conversion to XShogi (Version 1.1):  Matthias Mutz.

       Current maintainer: Mike Vanier.

COPYRIGHT

       XShogi borrows some of its piece bitmaps from CRANES Shogi.

       Copyright   1991   by   Digital   Equipment    Corporation,    Maynard,
       Massachusetts.   Enhancements  Copyright 1992 Free Software Foundation,
       Inc.  Enhancements Copyright 1993 Matthias Mutz

       The following terms apply to Digital Equipment Corporation’s  copyright
       interest in XBoard:

              All Rights Reserved

              Permission  to  use,  copy, modify, and distribute this software
              and its documentation for any purpose and without fee is  hereby
              granted,  provided that the above copyright notice appear in all
              copies and that both that copyright notice and  this  permission
              notice  appear in supporting documentation, and that the name of
              Digital not be used in advertising or  publicity  pertaining  to
              distribution  of  the  software  without specific, written prior
              permission.

              DIGITAL DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES WITH REGARD TO  THIS  SOFTWARE,
              INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS,
              IN NO EVENT SHALL DIGITAL BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL, INDIRECT OR
              CONSEQUENTIAL  DAMAGES  OR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER RESULTING FROM
              LOSS OF USE, DATA OR PROFITS, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF  CONTRACT,
              NEGLIGENCE  OR  OTHER  TORTIOUS  ACTION,  ARISING  OUT  OF OR IN
              CONNECTION WITH THE USE OR PERFORMANCE OF THIS SOFTWARE.

       The following terms apply to the enhanced version of XShogi distributed
       by the Free Software Foundation:

              This file is part of XSHOGI.

              XSHOGI  is  distributed  in the hope that it will be useful, but
              WITHOUT  ANY  WARRANTY.   No  author  or   distributor   accepts
              responsibility to anyone for the consequences of using it or for
              whether it serves any particular purpose or works at all, unless
              he  says  so  in  writing.   Refer  to the XSHOGI General Public
              License for full details.

              Everyone is granted permission to copy, modify and  redistribute
              XSHOGI,  but  only  under the conditions described in the XSHOGI
              General Public License. A copy of this license  is  supposed  to
              have  been  given  to you along with XSHOGI so you can know your
              rights and responsibilities.  It  should  be  in  a  file  named
              COPYING.   Among  other  things,  the  copyright notice and this
              notice must be preserved on all copies.