Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2001 17:42:54 -0700
To: tim.mann@compaq.com
From: Wilkin Ng <wng@radical.ca>
Subject: yet another winboard feature

Hi Tim,

I implement the sparring feature of Fritz in winboard, what I did is set up 
winboard with crafty as first engine, a weak engine as the second (I use 
phalanx or crazy bishop with custom parameter).

Then I modify the backend with a flag tacticMatchMode, and start the 
analysis with the first engine, and I play against the second engine.

I add a mode in my analyst module to check the score from move to move, and 
display me if there is tactical blow possible or mate possible.

After trying this feature out several times, I believe this will be really 
good for my chess training, being forced to calculate forced mate or 
tactical blow that happen in my game is a good practice!

I think my backend modification, adding another flag instead of another 
game mode is cleaner,  this way I can play white and black as usual, all I 
change is if tacticMatchMode is true than I send the message to the second 
program instead of the first.

Well, hope you are not too busy anymore, let me know if you would like to 
see the changes
wilkin.