Sega Chess

For the Sega Game Gear game released as "Sega Chess" in Brazil, see The Chessmaster.

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Sega Chess
System(s): Sega Master System
Publisher: Sega Europe
Developer: Probe Software
Supporting companies: Krisalis Software (audio)
Distributor: Ecofilmes (PT), Tec Toy (BR)
Genre: Family
Number of players: 1-2
Release Date RRP Code EU 1991-08 7069 BX 199x PT 199x UK 1991-11-14 £34.9934.99 7069 AU 199x FCHE01SEC BR 199x 024340

Sega Chess is a video game interpretation of chess released for the Sega Master System in 1991.

Gameplay

Chessboards

Sega Chess is a chess game that can be played by one player against the computer or by two players against each other, or players can watch a match between two computer players. The object of the game is to trap the opponent's king in a position that it cannot escape, which is called a "checkmate." It can be played from a overhead, 2D view or an isometric, pseudo-3D view. White moves first.

The game is controlled through a hand cursor, which can be moved around the board using the D-Pad. Pieces are picked up or placed down by pressing . Placing a piece back in its original location allows the player to choose a different piece.

In the 2D view, the player can move the cursor onto an icon pane on the side that contains functions to go back a move (for either player), go forward a move (if the player has gone back a move without making another turn), show a hint for the next move, swap the white and black players, force the player to make a move (for either player), switch to the 3D view, promote a piece (when a pawn makes it to the other side of the board), or open the options screen.

In the 3D view, the player can switch between moving the cursor on the board and the icon pane by pressing . It contains functions to switch to the 2D view, rotate the board (between white on the bottom or top), force the player to make a move (for either player), promote a piece (when a pawn makes it to the other side of the board), or open the options screen.

Options

Options

Board Set-Up

The game presents a configuration screen upon starting with numerous options, including selecting the number of players, selecting the skill level of the computer (for one-player games), choosing between sharing a single control pad or using two separate control pads (for two-player games), toggling speech, and choosing between the 2D and 3D views.

There are nine skill levels for the computer (Beginner, Novice, Amateur, Intermediate, Professional, Chess Champion, Grand Chess Champion, Chess Master, and Grand Chess Master), which affects the amount of time that the computer is given to "think" about its next move. There are three additional levels that change the behavior of the computer:

• Adaptive: The amount of time that the computer is allotted is determined by averaging the amount of time that the player has spent on the last ten moves.
• Infinite Think Mode: The computer thinks about its next move until the player forces it to move.
• Problem Solving Mode: A special mode where the player can set up the board with the pieces in any legal configuration, then watch as the computer attempts to solve it in the fewest possible moves.

The options screen can be invoked at any time during gameplay. It shows the last moves for both players (which can be scrolled up or down) and a clock for each player that shows the total time spent on turns. The player can make changes or start a new game.

The Board Set-Up option lets the player rearrange the pieces on the board. The current piece can be changed by holding and pressing or (which includes a blank space to remove pieces). Pieces can be placed by pressing .

Pieces

Piece	Description
Pawns	Pawns can move one square forward. It has the option to move two squares forward on its first move (if both squares are free). They capture pieces diagonally (the square to the left or to the right in front of the pawn). Each player starts with a rank of eight pawns in front of the rest of their pieces, making them the most numerous piece on the board. A pawn can capture a piece using the "en passant" technique. Immediately after the opponent has moved a pawn two squares forward, if the player has a pawn next to the one that the opponent moved, the player can move diagonally backward to capture it. A pawn is automatically promoted to a queen if it makes it all the way to the other end of the board. It can be promoted to a rook, a knight, or a bishop instead by choosing "Promote Piece" from the icon pane.
Rooks	Rooks can move any number of squares forwards, backwards, and sideways (but cannot jump over other pieces in its path). Each player has two rooks, one on each corner of the board. If a rook and the king have not been moved yet in the game and there are no pieces in between them, they can participate in a defensive strategy called "castling." The player is permitted to move the rook next to the king (on the closer side), then move the king to the other side of the rook. Castling cannot be done if the king is in check or moves through check during the move.
Knights	Knights can move two squares forwards or backwards and then one to either side in an L shape. Knights are the only piece that can jump over other pieces, making them the only pieces besides pawns that can be moved at the start of the game. They can only capture pieces on the final square on which they land. Each player has two knights, placed between the rooks and the bishops.
Bishops	Bishops can move diagonally an unlimited number of squares (but cannot jump over other pieces in its path). Each player has two bishops, one on each side of the king and queen.
Queen	The queen can move in any direction forwards backwards, sideways, or diagonally across an unlimited number of unoccupied squares. This makes it the most powerful piece in the game, since it combines the movement of the rook and the bishop. Each player has only one queen.
King	The king can move one square in any direction, provided that it is unoccupied. Each player only has one king. If a player's king is threatened with capture, it is in "check," and the player must remove the threat of capture in the next turn (either by moving the king or capturing the piece that is threatening it). If this cannot be done, the king is in "checkmate," resulting in the defeat of that player. The player is not permitted to make a move that places their own king in check.

Production credits

• Developed by the Probe Software Team
• Programming by: Antony Lill
• Graphic art by: Hugh Riley
• Produced by: Neil Young
• Music by: Krisalis Software
• Thanks to: Bob Timbello, Gordon Grant, Jeroen Tel, Jo Bonar

Source:

In-game credits

Magazine articles

Main article: Sega Chess/Magazine articles.

Physical scans

Sega Retro Average
Publication Score Source

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Based on 0 review

Sega Retro Average

Publication Version Score Aktueller Software Markt (DE) 53 Consoles + (FR) PAL 88 Console XS (UK) PAL 83 Mean Machines: The Essential Sega Guide (UK) PAL 73 FX (UK) 82 Gamers (DE) PAL 67 Games-X (UK) PAL 80 Joystick (FR) PAL 89 Mega Force (FR) PAL 45 Micromanía (segunda época) (ES) 43 Mean Machines (UK) PAL 77 Mean Machines Sega (UK) PAL 77 Player One (FR) PAL 87 Play Time (DE) PAL 70 Sega News (CZ) PAL 80 Sega Power (UK) PAL 90 Sega Power (UK) PAL 100 Sega Pro (UK) PAL 67 Sega Pro (UK) PAL 83 Sega Force (UK) PAL 93 Video Games (DE) 80

	77
Based on 21 reviews

Sega Chess

Master System, EU
Cover
Cart

Master System, PT
Cover

Master System, BX†
Cover
Cart

Master System, AU
Cover
Cart

Master System, AU (Hotline sticker)
Cover
Cart

Master System, AU (NIAL sticker)
Cover
Cart

Master System, BR
Cover
Cart Manual

Master System, BR (newer)
Cover

Technical information

ROM dump status

System	Hash	Size	Build Date	Source	Comments
?	CRC32 a8061aef MD5 92334e9e52eeb8d27606e319b1f8b617 SHA-1 2c386825dce99b340084b28bdf90fb4ee7107317	256kB		Cartridge (EU)