


			DEATH BY BACKGAMMON
			 (C) 1990 C.KANARIS
			  12 August, 1991

			    Version 1.12



This  program will run on IBM XT/AT compatible (and later)  PC's equipped
with EGA/VGA colour graphics (640x300  minimum  resolution),  512K  of 
memory, and a single floppy  drive.  Hard  disk storage  and a Mouse are 
both highly recommended, but not  essential.

INSTALLATION

There is no user installation required.  The program detects  the maximum 
graphics capability available, and initializes accordingly.   The  program 
also senses the presence of a mouse.   When  a mouse  is  present, it 
functions in parallel  with  the  standard keyboard input, so that either 
device can be used at any time.

To  run from a floppy disk, select the drive as the default,  and type  
"BGDEATH"  at the prompt ("BGSHARE" for  unregistered  versions).  To run 
from a hard drive, copy all the files  from  your floppy  to a directory of
your choice. Select that directory  and type "BGDEATH" (or "BGSHARE") at the
prompt.



FEATURES

This  program features a colourful and friendly  playing  surface, and the 
optional mouse allows simple move-making.  Piece movement is animated, 
making the game simple to follow.

The program plays a solid strategic game, capable of  challenging even  the
best players.  It is able to challenge the  player  to double the wager if 
it's position warrants.  If challenged by the player, it can evaluate the 
current situation and respond accord-    ingly, always with the aim of 
minimizing its losses.

A  player may enter a name, allowing the program to keep a  score file  
under that name, recording game and bet  win/loss  information.  The  
program  is able to play  against  itself,  recording win/loss information 
under the name 'COMPUTER'.

All game functions, excluding input of the player's name, can  be selected 
by Mouse input.


THE NAME OF THE GAME!


1. Gammon

If a player finishes and his opponent is not yet in a position to bear off,
the opponent has been gammoned, and the winner receives twice the face value
of the betting die.

2. BackGammon

If the opponent still has pieces in the winner's end area,  then the 
opponent has been backgammoned, and the winner receives  four times the face
value of the betting die.



FUNCTIONS


Functions  may be selected by moving the cursor to  the  required function 
and activating it.  If using a keyboard, the function is activated  by 
hitting the space bar; if using a mouse,  the  left button activates the 
function.  

The available functions are as follows:

Blue:     This function rolls the dice for blue, and places the player in 
'MOVE' mode.  If a game has been completed, selecting this function resets 
the game, and rolls the dice for blue. The last player to throw is indicated
by the face colour of the dice.

White:    Selection of this function causes the program (white) to roll the
dice and make its moves. If a game has been completed, selecting this 
function resets the game and rolls the dice for white.

Replay:   The player may replay his move by selecting this function either 
after making his move, or after escaping from the current move.

Double:   The player may double by selecting this function, only immediately
prior to his throw.  Players may only double in turn, and up to a maximum 
of 64.  The last player to double is indicated by the colour of the betting 
die.

Yes:      When the program challenges the player to double, this function 
accepts the challenge. This function is also used to respond to other 'Are 
you sure?' questions.

No:       When the program challenges the player to double, this function 
declines the challenge, conceding the game to the program. It is also used 
to respond to other 'Are  you sure?' questions.

Forfeit:  This function allows a player to forfeit the game in progress. The
opponent wins the game, and receives the score given by the face value of 
the betting die.

Player:   This function allows the player to access the Player menu, which 
in turn allows:
	- selection of a player win/loss file,
	- entry of a new player filename,
	- resetting of a win/loss file to 0/0,
	- deletion of a win/loss file,
	- player colours to be swapped, and,
	- selection of AutoPlay. (See description later).

Exit:     This selection exits the Backgammon program, returning the player 
to the host system.



BEGINNING


At the start of a new session, the player is prompted to roll the dice, to 
establish which colour plays first. The colour  throwing the  highest  
number plays first.  Should the numbers  thrown  be equal, the bet shown on
the betting die is doubled, and the  dice thrown  again.  From then on, 
during that session, the winner  of each  game will play first in the next 
game. The colour  to  move first is highlighted, requiring only  SPACEBAR or
MOUSE operation  to  begin.  When it is the player's turn, the  dice  are  
thrown, placing the player in MOVE mode. 



MOVE MODE


When the player has rolled for his move, the move cursor  appears on  the 
board. Moves may be accomplished by keyboard or mouse  as follows:

ACTION				KEYBOARD		MOUSE

Move to Position		Arrow Keys		Mouse Movement
Select Position			SPACEBAR		Left Button
Escape from MOVE mode		ESCAPE key		Left & Right Button
Go to previous SOURCE		HOME key		Right, 1st time
Go to previous DESTINATION	END key			Right, 2nd time


When the human player is in MOVE mode, the following move  checks are 
implemented:

a.	The player cannot move the computer's pieces.
b.	The player cannot bear off prematurely.
c.	The player cannot move backwards.
d.	The player is informed when he cannot move any pieces.
e.	The player is not allowed to make only one move, if two are 
available.
f.	If the player is on the bar, the move cursor is automatically placed
there after his throw. If there is no move available, a message is displayed
instead.




HELP


Help  information is available on each function, and also  during MOVE mode.  Selecting F1 at any time will place help  information in  the dialogue area.  The content of the help information  will depend upon the current cursor position.


AUTOPLAY


When Autoplay is selected from the 'Player' menu, the computer plays itself,
recording win/loss information under the name COMPUTER.  While the game is 
in progress, the observer may either exit Autoplay mode (F2), or change the
speed at which the computer plays (F3).  When the latter is selected, the 
observer is presented with a menu showing the speeds available, and 
highlighting the current speed setting.

The default speed setting is 'Fast' , which means that the observer needs to
be reasonably experienced in order to follow the game.  The 'Slow' setting 
allows a good deal of time between moves, to allow full scrutiny of each 
move, and is intended to assist with learning or teaching of the game.




SHARE-WARE DISTRIBUTION VERSION


The version of this copy purchased on a ShareWare basis, has  the following 
alteration:

1.	The animated movement of the player's pieces is considerably slower
than for those of the computer.

2.	No 'Player' functions, as described above, may be accessed.

3.	The opening screen provides details on how to obtain a fully 
functional registered version.  

NOTE:  Should you have acquired a registered copy of the  program without 
having paid for it, and like it enough to make a  contribution,  you can 
receive your own registered version  by  sending $US 30 or $AS 34.95 to: 

		Death By Backgammon
		PO Box 495,
		Essendon,
		Victoria, 3040,
		Australia.
		(Checks payable to C.Kanaris)


COMING ATTRACTIONS


Future program versions will include:

1. More extensive HELP, including playing and next-move hints, 

2. Support for lo-res EGA, CGA, and MonoChrome graphics, and,

3. Any good suggestions you make!


AUTHOR'S NOTE


Thankyou  for  trying my program - I hope you enjoy it.  I  would appreciate
any comments you may have, not to mention any requests for registration. 
Good Luck!


							Chris Kanaris.

