<p> qchess is a python2.7 implementation of <ahref="http://research.cs.queensu.ca/Parallel/QuantumChess/QuantumChess.html"/>Quantum Chess</a></p>
<h1> tl;dr </h1>
<tableborder="1">
<tr><th></th><th> Binary </th><th> Script (requires python2.7 and pygame1.9) </th></tr>
<tr><th> Windows </th><td><ahref="http://git.ucc.asn.au/?p=progcomp2013.git;a=blob;f=qchess/build/exe.win32-2.7.zip"/>32 bit</a></td><td><ahref="http://git.ucc.asn.au/?p=progcomp2013.git;a=blob_plain;f=qchess/qchess.py"/>qchess.py</a></td></tr>
<tr><th> Linux </th><td><ahref="http://git.ucc.asn.au/?p=progcomp2013.git;a=blob;f=qchess/build/exe.linux-x86_64-2.7.zip"/>64 bit</a></td><td><ahref="http://git.ucc.asn.au/?p=progcomp2013.git;a=blob_plain;f=qchess/qchess.py"/>qchess.py</a></td></tr>
</table>
<p><b> Warning: </b> Some things in the windows version will not work. </p>
<p><b> Warning: </b> The actual competition will be run on linux. If your program doesn't work on linux, you may not be able to enter. </p>
<hr>
<h3> Git </h3>
<p> The best way to do things is to use <ahref="http://git-scm.com/"/>git</a> and clone the repository at <ahref="http://git.ucc.asn.au/?p=progcomp2013.git"/>git://git.ucc.asn.au/progcomp2013.git</a>. Run "git pull" everytime a major change is announced. </p>
<hr>
<h3> Files and Directories </h3>
<ul>
<li> qchess/qchess.py - Python script version of qchess </li>
<li> agents/ - Where all the agents will go when the competition runs
<li> agents/sample.py - A sample agent in python </li>
<li> qchess/build/ - Compiled binaries of the qchess program </li>
<li> qchess/src/ - Source python files for qchess </li>
<li> web/ - This website </li>
</ul>
<hr>
<h3> qchess.py </h3>
<ul>
<li> You will need <ahref="http://www.python.org/download/releases/2.7.3"/>python 2.7.3</a></li>
<ul><li> On Debian/Ubuntu just run `sudo apt-get install python` </li>
<li> On Windows, download and install the x86 (32bit) MSI, <b>not</b> the x86-64 (64bit) MSI) </li></ul>
<li> You will need <ahref="http://www.pygame.org/download.shtml"/>pygame 1.9.1</a></li>
<ul><li> On Debian/Ubuntu just run `sudo apt-get install python-pygame` </li>
<li> On Windows, ,ake sure you get the pygame for python 2.7 MSI </li></ul>
<li> Hopefully, if you have those, things will just work (TM) </li>
<ul><li> In linux, navigate to the qchess directory, then run with ./qchess.py </li>
<li> In windows, the application <i>should</i> start when you double click on it </li>
<li> If you want to give command line arguments, you will need to use cmd on windows </li>
</ul>
</ul>
<hr>
<h3> Compiled Binaries </h3>
<p><b> Warning:</b> I am no longer testing the binaries. I believe the linux binary works, but the Windows binary might not. </p>
<p> If they work for you, that is awesome, but I recommend installing python and using the python script. </p>
<p> You'll probably want to enter in python, since the python script gives you a lot of useful functions. </p>
<p><b> On the other hand... </b>, if you have problems with an incompatable version of python, try the binaries! </p>
<p><b> Competition: </b> Write an AI to play Quantum Chess. You can enter in <b>any</b> language that supports reading/writing from standard input/output. </p>
<p> Quantum chess is a variant of chess in which the type of a piece changes during play. </p>
<p> The game was invented by Selim Akl, and first implemented by Alice Wismath.
You can see their original website <ahref="http://research.cs.queensu.ca/Parallel/QuantumChess/QuantumChess.html"/>here</a>. </p>
<hr>
<h2> Rules </h2>
<p> The rules are basically the same as <ahref="http://research.cs.queensu.ca/Parallel/QuantumChess/QuantumChess.html"/>the original rules</a>. </p>
<h3> Differences / Clarifications </h3>
<ul>
<li> The bottom right and top left squares are white (as in traditional chess), not black. </li>
<li> Castling and en passen are <b>not</b> allowed (I'm not sure whether they are in the original version). </li>
<li> If a piece in a <b>pawn</b> state ends its move in the opposing back row, that state is <i>always</i> replaced with a <b>queen</b> state. </li>
<ul><li> (because I'm too lazy to give players a choice) </li></ul>
<li> I might shorten the number of moves before a draw is declared, we'll see. </li>
</ul>
<hr>
<h2> Getting Started </h2>
<ol>
<li><ahref="http://lists.ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au/mailman/listinfo/progcomp"target="_blank"/>Join the mailing list</a></li>
<ul><li><b> Important: </b> Don't email the mailing list directly; email the competition organiser (matches at ucc dot asn dot au) </li></ul>
<li><ahref="http://www.ucc.asn.au/services/irc.ucc"/>Join the #progcomp channel on IRC</a></li>
<li><ahref="get_qchess.html"/>Obtain a copy of the qchess program</a></li>
<li><ahref="using_qchess.html"/>Using the qchess program</a></li>
<li><ahref="agent.html"/>Writing an agent for the qchess program</a></li>
<li><ahref="enter.html"/>Entering the competition</a></li>
