MyMC10.tripod.com

# Micro Checkers

Radio Shack
MICRO COLOR COMPUTER SOFTWARE
CAT. NO. 26-3360

Limited Warranty
RADIO SHACK Software is licensed on an "AS IS" basis, without warranty. The original CUSTOMER'S exclusive remedy, in the event of a Software manufacturing defect, is its repair or replacement within thirty (30) calendar days of the date of the Radio Shack sales document received upon license of the Software. The defective software shall be returned to a Radio Shack Computer Center, A Radio Shack retail store, participating Radio Shack franchisee or Radio Shack dealer along with the sales document.
EXCEPT AS PROVIDED HEREIN, RADIO SHACK MAKES NO EXPRESS WARRANTIES, AND ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE IS LIMITED IN ITS DURATION TO THE DURATION OF THE WRITTEN LIMITED WARRANTIES SET FORTH HEREIN.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation(s) may not apply to CUSTOMER.
RADIO SHACK SHALL HAVE NO LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY TO CUSTOMER OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR ENTITY WITH RESPECT TO ANY LIABILITY, LOSS OR DAMAGE CAUSED OR ALLEGED TO BE CAUSED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY BY "SOFTWARE" LICENSED OR FURNISHED BY RADIO SHACK, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY INTERRUPTION OF SERVICE, LOSS OF BUSINESS OR ANTICIPATORY PROFITS OR INDIRECT, SPECIAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.
Some states do not allow the limitation or exclusion of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitation(s) or exclusion(s) may not apply to CUSTOMER.
RADIO SHACK SOFTWARE LICENSE
RADIO SHACK grants to CUSTOMER a non-exclusive, paid-up license to use the RADIO SHACK Software on one computer, subject to the following provisions:
A. Except as otherwise provided in this Software License, applicable copyright laws shall apply to the software.
B. Title to the medium on which the Software is recorded (cassette and/or diskette) or stored (ROM) is transferred to CUSTOMER, but not title to the Software.
C. CUSTOMER shall not use, make, manufacture, or reproduce copies of Software except for use on one computer and as is specifically provided in this Software License. Customer is expressly prohibited from disassembling the Software.
D. CUSTOMER is permitted to make additional copies of the Software only for backup or archival purposes or if additional copies are required in the operation of one computer with the Software, but only to the extent the Software allows a backup copy to be made.
E. All copyright notices shall be retained on all copies of the Software.
The warranties granted herein give the original CUSTOMER specific legal rights, and the original CUSTOMER may have other rights which vary from state to state.

## Micro Checkers

### Radio Shack ®

#### A DIVISION OF TANDY CORPORATION

#### FORT WORTH, TEXAS 76102

Micro Checkers Program:
© 1983 Tandy Corporation
All Rights Reserved.
Micro Checkers Program Manual:
© 1983 Tandy Corporation
All Rights Reserved.
Reproduction or use, without express written permission from Tandy Corporation, of any portion of this manual is prohibited. While reasonable efforts have been taken in the preparation of this manual to assure its accuracy, Tandy Corporation assumes no liability resulting from any errors or omissions in this manual, or from the use of the information contained herein.
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

## Introduction

The game of Checkers (called Draughts in England) is one of the world’s oldest intellectual pastimes.
A game similar to Checkers was played by the Pharaohs in ancient Egypt. Similar games were mentioned in the works of the Greek writers Homer and Plato. In the 12th century the game was adapted to the 64-square chessboard. In the 16th century the game was changed enough that it was essentially the same as modern Checkers.
Now Checkers has entered the computer age, adding an exciting new dimension to this ancient game.

## Loading Checkers

Set up and connect the Micro Color Computer, color video or TV, and CTR-80A cassette recorder following the instructions in the TRS-80® Micro Color Computer Operation Manual. Then follow the instructions below.
1. Turn on the TV and set the volume at a normal listening level. Select channel 3 or 4 (whichever is weaker or not used in your area).
2. On the MC-10, select the same channel by positioning the CHANNEL SELECT switch (on the bottom of the computer) to the appropriate setting.
3. Set the antenna switch box to the COMPUTER position.
4. Turn on the computer. The POWER ON/OFF switch is on the right side of the computer.
Your TV screen should then turn green and display the following message:

    MICROCOLOR BASIC v.r
    COPYRIGHT 1982 MICROSOFT
    OK

where v.r is a pair of numbers specifying which version and release you have.
5. Place the Micro Checkers program tape in the cassette recorder. Set the volume of the recorder between 5 and 7.
6. Rewind the tape completely.
7. Type CLOAD"CHECKERS" [ENTER].
8. Press the PLAY button on the recorder until it locks.
The letter S appears in the upper-left corner of the TV screen while the computer searches for, and loads, the program.
When the computer has found the program, the letter F and the filename appear at the top of the screen.
9. When the program has been loaded, OK appears on the screen.
10. Type RUN [ENTER].
The checker board now appears on the screen.
Note: If an OM ERROR occurs, turn the MC-10 off and then back on again to clear out all of the available memory. Restart at Step 6.

## How to Play

#### The Board

The board looks like this:

The white squares are illegal squares and the computer does not let you move to them. The computer plays the green checkers and you play the orange checkers.

#### Beginning the Game

To begin the game, press [Y] if you wish to make the first move. Press [ENTER] or any other key if you want the computer to make the first move. When it is your turn to move, the computer prompts you with:

    FROM:?

#### Entering a Move

To enter a move you must give the computer four coordinates. The coordinates tell the computer what square you are moving from and what square you are moving to.

Be aware that the computer does not accept illegal coordinates including coordinates that do not fit the current position of the pieces.
At the prompt FROM: ? type the two coordinates of the square you are moving from, separating the numbers with a comma. Then press [ENTER]. When the computer prompts TO: ? do the same for the square you are moving to.
For example, assume your first move is from 6,2 to 5,3. At the prompt FROM: ?, type 6,2 [ENTER]. When the computer prompts TO: ?, type 5,3 [ENTER].
Note: Be sure to type both numbers separated by a comma before pressing [ENTER]. Otherwise, the computer prompts you for another input and ruins the display on the screen.

#### Jumping

To jump an enemy piece, enter the FROM coordinates as always. Then enter the coordinates of the square where your piece will land. The computer automatically removes the piece that was jumped. The computer then prompts you for another TO square. If you have another jump with the same piece enter those coordinates, If there is no other jump, type -1,-1 [ENTER]. This tells the computer that your move is over. If you do not enter -1,-1 to terminate your move the display on the screen may be disrupted and you will have to begin a new game.

#### Getting a King

If you earn a king, the computer automatically crowns you. You then may move that piece forward or backward and jump enemy pieces in either direction.

#### End of the Game

When all of one side’s pieces are removed or no piece can move, the game is over. If you win, the computer displays the winning message, YOU WIN!.
If neither you nor the computer can force a victory, and the trend of play becomes repetitious, you should declare a draw game and begin a new game.

#### Beginning a New Game

Regardless of who wins, to begin a new game, press [BREAK] to exit back to BASIC. Then hold down the [CONTROL] key and without releasing it press [1]. Then release both and press [ENTER]. The board reappears with the pieces reset for a new game.

RADIO SHACK, A DIVISION OF TANDY CORPORATION
U.S.A.: FORT WORTH, TEXAS 76102
CANADA:: BARRIE, ONTARIO L4M 4W5

TANDY CORPORATION

Australia | Belgium | U.K.
91 Kurrajong Road | Parc Industriel de Naninne | Bilston Road Wednesbury
Mount Druitt, N.S.W. 2770 | 5140 Naninne | West Midlands WS10 7JN

09/83-SP | Printed in U.S.A.