Zing Magic S60 User Manual

Checkers

for the S60 version 3 platform

User Guide

© Copyright 2003-2006 ZingMagic Limited

All rights reserved. This documentation and the software referred to are copyrighted works
of ZingMagic Limited, England. Reproduction in whole or part by any means whatsoever
without the express written permission of ZingMagic Limited is prohibited. Reverse
engineering is also prohibited. The information in this document is subject to change
without notice. ZingMagic Limited accepts no liability for loss or consequential loss from
misuse or any defect or failure of the programs howsoever arising. Under the terms of the
license agreement, the purchaser is allowed to copy applications to combine applications
onto one disk, provided the software is installed on only one computer at any one time.

Symbian OS is trademark of Symbian Ltd. Graffiti, HotSync and Palm OS are trademarks of
Palm Computing Inc., 3Com Corporation or its subsidiaries. PocketPC and Windows CE are
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. ZingMagic Limited acknowledges other references may
be registered trademarks belonging to third parties.

Contact Information
ZingMagic is a leading developer of entertainment and lifestyle applications for Mobile,

Wireless and PDA devices.
At the time of writing ZingMagic has a significant application portfolio including but not

limited to:

Chess
Checkers
Reversi
Backgammon
Four In A Line
Chinese Chess
Hearts
Spades
Euchre
Bridge

For a variety of devices including but not limited to

Windows PocketPC devices
PalmOS devices
Symbian Series 60 and Series 80 devices
Symbian UIQ devices

For up to date information on our current product portfolio, contact us at:
E-mail: [e-mail]

Web: http://www.zingmagic.com

For technical support, please contact:

E-mail [e-mail]

Checkers

Checkers (or Draughts) is the classic strategy board game popular with cultures all around
the globe. Steeped in history, games similar to Checkers were played by the early Egyptian
Pharaohs (c.1600 BC) and were even mentioned in the works of the Greek writers Homer
and Plato. Around the time of the 12th century AD, an early form of the game was adapted
to the current 8 x 8 checkerboard, with the rules to the modern game of Checkers
essentially being formed around the 16th century.

The game of Checkers is deceptively simple yet full of intricacy and this version from
ZingMagic Limited allows players of all abilities to enjoy a challenging and stimulating
game.

This chapter describes the main features of the Checkers application and how they are
used to play and display the game.

Rules of the Game

The object of the game of Checkers is to capture all of your opponent’s pieces. Pieces
move one square at a time diagonally towards the opposite side of the board and always
remain on the same coloured squares.

When you first start Checkers or begin a new game, the initial board will be displayed and
the player with the darker coloured pieces makes the first move. Moves then alternate
between the two players.

Checkers must always be moved diagonally forward to an adjacent dark square. If you
manage to negotiate a path to the first row of the opponent’s side of the board, your
checker is promoted to a King and this is indicated by a crown on that piece. The King
moves in the same way as a standard checker piece, but it is given the added advantage of
being able to move either backwards or forwards.

The aim of the game is to capture all of your opponent’s pieces. Once a piece is captured,
it is removed from the board. Capturing is achieved when there is an opposing checker
adjacent to one of your checkers with the opportunity to jump to a vacant dark square
directly beyond it (going forward with a standard checker and either forwards or backwards
with a King). If there is an opportunity to capture an opponent, this move must be made,
even if this subsequently places you in a position to be captured – capturing is compulsory.
If after capturing an opponent’s checker this offers you the chance to take another of your
opponent's checkers, this move must also be made.

The game ends when all of your opponent's pieces have been captured or when one player
is unable to move.

Tip: The simplicity of Checkers allows everyone of all ages and abilities to play the game.

However, it is advisable for the novice to play with a defensive strategy, trying to
ensure that the checkers move up the board, protected by a flanker. This defensive
approach will hopefully make it more difficult for the opponent to capture your
pieces.

Running Checkers

When you first run Checkers, a title screen is displayed briefly and a new game called “My
first game” is automatically created. By default this game pits you (playing Black) against a
computer opponent (White) set at beginner level.