XBoard and WinBoard: An Overview by Tim Mann

XBoard and WinBoard are graphical user interfaces (GUIs) for playing and analyzing chess games. These interfaces serve various purposes, from playing against chess engines to connecting with chess servers, viewing Portable Game Notation (PGN) files, and even conducting email-based chess matches.

Platforms and Installation

• XBoard: Runs on Unix systems, including GNU/Linux, utilizing the X Window System.
• WinBoard: Designed for 32-bit Windows systems, it operates on Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, ME, and XP. It does not support 16-bit Windows systems or Windows CE (Pocket PC).

When installing WinBoard, the process is straightforward, and newer versions can usually be installed over older ones without uninstalling. Minimal changes are made to the Windows registry, making upgrades simple.

Key Features

1. Chess Engines: XBoard and WinBoard serve as front-ends for various chess engines like GNU Chess and Crafty, facilitating local play and analysis. These engines are responsible for the actual game-playing logic.
2. Internet Chess Servers (ICS): XBoard and WinBoard can connect to online chess servers such as Free Internet Chess Server (FICS) and the Internet Chess Club (ICC), enabling real-time play with players around the globe.
3. Correspondence Chess: XBoard supports the CMail program, which automates email-based correspondence chess by parsing opponent moves and sending your moves via email.
4. PGN Viewer: Both GUIs function as viewers and creators of PGN files, a standard notation used to record chess games.

Setting Up WinBoard Engines

You can configure multiple engines to work with WinBoard by either using command-line options or modifying the winboard.ini file. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Method 1: Command-Line Setup

Create a shortcut with the following target:

bash
"C:\WinBoard\winboard.exe" -cp -fcp "crafty" -fd "C:\Craftydirectory"

• -cp: Starts WinBoard in chess engine mode.
• -fcp: Specifies the first chess program (Crafty, in this case).
• -fd: Specifies the directory where the engine executable is located.

Method 2: Modifying winboard.ini

Alternatively, you can add engines by editing the winboard.ini file, which WinBoard generates after the first run. For example, to add the Ruffian engine:

1. Open winboard.ini in a text editor.
2. Add the engine to the list of options:

ini
/firstChessProgramNames={
    GNUChess
    "GNUChes5 xboard"
    "ruffian" /fd="c:\ruffian"
}
/secondChessProgramNames={
    GNUChess
    "GNUChes5 xboard"
    "ruffian" /sd="c:\ruffian"
}

• "ruffian" refers to the engine executable.
• /fd and /sd specify the directory where the engine resides.

Playing on Internet Chess Servers (ICS)

To connect to chess servers like FICS or ICC using Zippy (a program that automates engine play on servers), follow these steps:

1. Modify the target line of your WinBoard shortcut to:

   bash
   c:\winboard\winboard.exe /zp /ics /icshost=freechess.org /icshelper=timeseal /fcp=enginename.exe /fd=c:\enginedirectory
   

2. /zp: Tells WinBoard to run in Zippy mode.
3. /ics: Specifies internet chess server mode.
4. /icshelper: Uses timestamp or timeseal to manage time lag.
5. /fcp: Specifies the engine file.
6. /fd: Specifies the engine directory.

Managing Firewalls and Proxies

For users behind a firewall or proxy, configuring WinBoard to connect to an ICS can be challenging. However, SOCKS proxies or firewall settings can often be configured to allow WinBoard to connect through raw TCP connections (needed for chess servers).

• SOCKS: If you are behind a SOCKS firewall, you can "socksify" WinBoard or XBoard using SocksCap32 or a similar utility, which helps applications communicate through a SOCKS proxy.
• Timestamp/Timeseal: Ensure these programs are properly socksified if you're using a SOCKS firewall. They help prevent timeouts during play by accurately synchronizing time between the server and your client.

Conclusion

XBoard and WinBoard are versatile, open-source GUIs that provide users with a range of chess-related functionalities, from playing against engines to connecting to online servers and analyzing PGN files. Their simplicity, flexibility, and ability to work across different platforms make them popular choices among chess enthusiasts.

With new versions regularly released (e.g., WinBoard 4.2.7), users can expect ongoing improvements and bug fixes, maintaining the relevance of these tools in the rapidly evolving world of computer chess.