The following guide is a brief overview of the basics of Chesspark. It covers how to manage your friends list, play games, and participate in chat rooms. This also assumes that you are using the web client (Logged in via the www.chesspark.com/play) . The desktop client looks different but has the same features. We will point out any differences that we see.
Getting Started.
When you visit www.chesspark.com/play you should be automatically logged in. If you are presented with the Login Dialog (see screen shot) you will need to enter your information.
Enter your complete ID (Example: your_name@chesspark.com) into the user name field, and enter your password in the next field. If you prefer not to enter this information every time you can go to www.chesspark.com/my and log in. Then the next time you log in it will remember you.
Once you are logged in you will want to familiarize yourself with the different parts of the Chesspark window.
Game Finder.
The first, and probably the most important, item you will want to learn is the game finder. The game finder is located in the middle of the screen. (game finder screen)
[Desktop users can close this window. To reopen please click the button (screen shot of button) in the lower right hand corner of the friends roster.]
The game finder will allow you to find games to play and watch. At the top of the Game Finder you will see 3 links. Games to Play, Games to Watch and Adjourned Games. Adjourned games will hold all the games that you adjourn or that are auto adjourned with a server reset.
Games to Play.
Find a game with the settings you like and click play to join it. Or click New Game and set your own game up in the finder.
Here is a video tutorial that will explain how to use the game finder with more detail. Game Finder Video Tutorial
Games to Watch.
Here you will find all the games that are being played. Click [watch] to watch the game.
(In the desktop client you can watch multiple games, the web can only watch one at a time and not while you are playing)
You can also challenge people directly by clicking (right click in the desktop) on their name and selecting Invite to Game. This works for people in your Friends List as well as people in the participants list of a chat room. You will able to set parameters for the game, such as how long each person has to make their moves, before the game starts.
Game Play.
To move, click on the piece you want to move, and move it where you want it to go. If it is an illegal move, it will snap back to its starting position.
At the top of the screen it will show you the info for the game. Game #, if its rated or not, the time setting, and participants. (Game board screen)
Below the game board are the clocks, and the options that you can use during the game. For example you can use the game menu to resign, request a draw, adjourn, or abort the game..
[In the desktop client these options are under the Game Options Menu button(Screen shot) ]
Managing Friends.
On the left side of the Chesspark window is your Friends List.
[In the desktop client
this is your main window and will have 2 tabs, Friends and Rooms]
The List displays the presence of all your friends at Chesspark. Presence includes information about whether they are online, whether they are available or away, and whether they are playing or watching a game.
Adding friends to your list can be done 2 different ways. One way is to click "add friend' in the upper right hand side of the friends window (friends list screen). The Add Dialog will pop up (add friend window) Enter the Chesspark ID of the friend you'd like to add (and a nick name if you want) and click Ok.
Note: For those already familiar with Jabber - you can actually add anyone on the entire Jabber network! Just type in the entire Jabber ID.
The second way is to click on a users name in a chat room (Right click in the desktop client) and select Add to Friends from the menu that comes up.
That user will receive a notice that you've requested to add them to your list. If they are not online, they will receive this message when they next log on. They'll have a chance to accept or deny your request, and if they decline, you won't be able to see their presence. Until they accept or deny your request, they will appear in your Friends List as pending.
If you want to remove a friend from the Friends List, click on the name (right click in the desktop), select Remove Friend in the menu.
Managing your profile.
Your profile is where people can see information about you like the number of games played and your ratings in the different variants. (profile screen)
Here is a video that will explain how to edit your profile and change your avatar. Profile Video
There are three main types of presence: Available, Away, and Offline. Available is what you'd use if you are currently online with the game client and available to chat or play games with others. You might set yourself as Away if you are on the telephone or busy working in another application. If you set yourself as Offline, you will log out of Chesspark.
Available friends will have a green circle by their names in the Friends List. Friends that are Away will have a red square. Offline friends will be shown in gray with no icon.
You can add new presence statuses to the Presence Menu as well. For example, you could use the Add New Status option to create an Away - Having Lunch option.
Removing Friends
Chatting.
We've created a room for everyone to enjoy called Central Park. It should appear in your Favorites group and also in the Public Chat Rooms group in the Rooms List (Rooms Tab in the desktop client) (Rooms list screen). Please join this room to meet others online and talk to Chesspark staff.
We have also created a room Called Help. If you have questions or need guidance please post your question in there and a helper or a member of the staff will assist you. Sometimes, other more experienced users will even know the answer.
To create your own chat room click on the 'create room' link in the rooms list (rooms list screen) [Desktop users will need to click the plus button (screen) at the bottom of the friends roster window.] Type in the name of the room you want to create. If it doesn't exist it will create it.
If you just want a one on one chat, you can do this by clicking the persons name (right click in the desktop) and selecting send message. Or you can click on 'New chat with friend' in the friends list and type in the name of the person you want to chat with.