This section describes SCID's old DGT support. You probably want to use Graham's Eboards engine.
On top of the Input Engine window, a console monitors the
communication between Scid and the driver engine. Usually, this is
of no interest to the user, but it may provide helpful hints in
case of malfunction. All commands sent by Scid are prepended by an
arrow to the right, all answers retrieved from the driver engine by
an arrow to the left. Below the console, the actual invocation of
the driver by Scid shows up for information.
Moves sent for allows to limit the moves sent by the
external hardware. For game input the board should of course send
the moves for both sides. For actually playing a game however, the
moves made by the opponent should be ignored, as Scid would
otherwise notify them as "illegal moves".
The small board on the right shows the current position.
If a move is made, in the area between the buttons and the small
board the move performed (move area) on the external
board is shown in figurine long algebraic notation. Valid moves
show up on a green background while illegal moves
show up on a red background. Additionally, illegal moves
are announced by the alert sound, if Scid has sound enabled.
Depending on the settings, the moves are additionally announced.
The Info button calls up information from the driver
engine. The extend of this information depends on the engine, but
it should usually give as much as is available about the external
hardware and the driver itself. Additionally, the external driver
will return the current position on the external board as FEN which
is then compared to Scid's internal representation. Discrepancies
show up in the console and issue an alert.
In case Scid and the external board got out of sync, the
Synchronise button can be used. A new game is set up
and the start position is set to the position on the external
board.
The Close button finally disconnects the external
hardware and closes the console.
Special Features
The following features depend on the driver engine and hardware
that is used. Their description is based on the functions available
with the DGT Electronic Chess
Board and specified in the
Input Engine Protocol
description. Some of these functions however rely on the fact that
the hardware is able to recognise the pieces on the board and their
current placement.
Position setup
The position setup mode is invoked by removing both kings from the
board. In this mode the move area is colored yellow
and shows the White king and the string Setup.
In setup mode any valid position can be set up on the external
board, however Scid's internal representation is not updated till
finished.
To end the setup mode both kings are set back to the board. Note,
that the king of the side to move is set back last, that is
if white should be on the move first set back the black king, then
the white king. Now, the move area shows the black
Queen and the string OK.
End a game
In game input or game play one can end the current game by setting
both kings into the center squares of the board. The result is
given as follows:
1-0 (White win): Set both kings to the squares
e4 and d5 in any order, ie. to the white centre squares.
The move area is colored in white, showing the white king and
the result.
0-1 (Black win): Set both kings to the squares
e5 and d4 in any order, ie. to the black centre squares.
The move area is colored in gray, showing the black king and
the result.
1/2-1/2 (Draw): Set one king on a white and one
on a black centre square in any order.
The move area is colored in black and white, showing the result.
In either case the Save / Add game dialogue shows up
to allow filling in the game tags and to store the game in the
current database.
Start a new game
A new game can be stared by entering setup mode (ie. removing both
kings) and setting up the start position. To notify, that Scid has
recognised the call for a new game the move area is
colored in blue showing the white king and the string
OK.