History

Electronic Board Games began life as a module called Chess/Checkers by Multi-Comm, a large BBS in Las Vegas, NV. The game was written by Phil Gorrow and Don Pitchford. Moonshae Telecomm acquired the game, updated the code, and added Othello. The project, led by Jeffrey Kobal, was rebadged Electronic Board Games and released in Summer 1989.

After the Galacticomm acquisition, the game was no longer sold. However, Jeffrey Kobal released a greatly enhanced version, including many more board games and features, under his new TPD Psycho Software.

Game Information

A complete implementation of these three, great classic board games, this package allows you to offer your users real-time, interactive chess, checkers, and othello. Users play against each other, rather than the computer, taking full advantage of The Major BBS's multi-user environment. The module has three "boards", allowing up to 6 players (three pairs) at one time, each engaged in the game of their choice. The players of a game can talk with each other while making their moves, to add the atmosphere of a friendly board game, and full help is also provided to help players with the commands. The computer acts as a moderator, making sure each move is valid, and keeping track of game status (check, checkmate, stalemate, etc.). Players can resign at any time during a game, or stick it out until the end. However, resignation is considered a loss.

Chess supports capturing "en passant" and pawns can only be promoted to queens, not knights. In checkers, in addition to the standard version, "Kings" and "Give-Away" varieties are also available for a change of pace.

Gameplay

For all three games, ANSI support is provided for those users who want color and screen updating. Also, IBM users can view the board with extended ASCII codes, and small terminal users can opt for a "short board" format that fits within 32 columns. Chess boards can be saved by the players in mid-game, to be continued at a later date. In addition, chess games are also recorded by a high score list to show off the best players.