
Shogi Variants
--------------

This is version 1.55a of a freeware program which can be used to referee games
between human players for any of 17 ancient & modern variants of Shogi 
(the Japanese member of the chess family). There is also a computer player
for all supported variants except Tenjiku (Exotic) Shogi.   

Version 1.6 will have a better computer player that will support all
variants, and may have Tsume (problem) solving capabilities. Modem and
Internet support may also be developed for a future release.

This program may be freely distributed as long as none of the files are
modified in any way.

The latest version of Shogi Variants can always be obtained from:

http://www.netspace.net.au/~trout/index.html 


System Requirements
-------------------

Shogi Variants runs under Windows 3.1 (or higher) and will require a 486
or better machine with at least 8 meg of RAM (a Pentium is strongly 
recommended). It is designed to use a 256 colour display. While the program
can be run with 16 colours it looks much better with 256 or higher. On some
systems using the Standard Windows 256 colour drivers will result in problems
with the graphics (such as black lines on the left hand side of the pieces). 
These problems should not occur if the appropriate 256 colour drivers for
the graphics card are used. If problems are experienced in 256 colour mode,
it may be necessary to run the program in a higher colour mode (eg: 64k
colours). 

As it is a Visual Basic 3.0 program Shogi Variants requires VBRUN300.DLL to 
run.

Comments / Suggestions ?
------------------------

I am of course only too pleased to receive comments, bug reports, bouquets,
brickbats etc. 

My E-Mail address is:

trout@netspace.net.au

Alternatively you can contact me by old fashioned means (ie: snail-mail or 
carrier pigeon) at:

257 Bathurst Street
West Hobart Tas 7000
Australia.


Steve Evans

14 May 1998
