Checkers 1 Features
Play against the computer
Intuitive controls. Checkers 1 is always ready to be your checkers companion without any complicated setting up.
Levels from beginner to grandmaster
10 difficulty levels to choose from.
Multi-threaded artificial intelligence
The artificial intelligence algorithm uses multiple processor cores, which rapidly decreases the time needed to calculate moves. Additionally, the user interface is not blocked by the calculations, allowing the user to access other functions of the application. This can be particularly useful for the highest difficulty levels. At most difficulty levels, the calculation only takes a fraction of a second on modern PCs.
Visual styles
Checkers 1 provides a choice of visual styles for the checkerboard, checker pieces, and the background. High-resolution photo backgrounds look great on large as well as small screens.
Move history
It is possible to undo and redo moves throughout the game in browser-like style.
Evaluation of positions
The computer displays the evaluation of the current position as a byproduct of move calculations (in the units of centipieces, 1 regular piece = 100 points).
Move highlighting
Optionally, the application will highlight the accessible fields upon selecting a piece. The last move can also be highlighted for convenience. And additionally, the user can enable graphical display of considered moves during computer's move calculations.
Save and load games in the PDN format
Portable Draughts Notation support for saving and loading your games.
Advisor
Upon request, the computer will analyze any valid position and suggest the best move. This feature also evaluates the selected position. Additionally, the advisor provides the count of available moves.
Taken pieces display
Optionally, taken pieces are displayed below the checkerboard. Next to the block of taken pieces, there is also a display of per-color totals of remaining piece values.
Checkerboard editor
The edit mode allows to move pieces arbitrarily across the board, off the board and back. It is also possible set the side to move side and the move number. The status bar informs whether the position is legal or not and why. The resulting position can be stored, analyzed and played.
Main variation
Optionally, the computer displays the expected upcoming move sequence. The moves are updated live while the computer is thinking. The length of the sequence depends on the selected difficulty level.
Timed games
It is possible to set a game clock and a bonus per move. Win by blocking the opponent or by making the opponent run out of time. Choose between fixed-level opponent (makes quality moves, but may run out of time) and auto-adjusting opponent (adjusts to the time control, but is more likely to make mistakes). Just like a regular game, you can save a timed game to a file and open it later. You will find the clock as you left it - the clock information is stored and loaded along with the moves. The clock is also set appropriately when browsing the history.
Arbitrary player setup
Support of two players at one computer, computer-vs-computer play. Possibility to swap sides during the game.
Overriding computer's moves
Do you wonder how the game would evolve if the computer played a different move? This feature allows the player to undo any move of the computer, replace it with any other legal move, and play from such position.
Exact description of features is available on the Help page.
