The game browser can be opened from various dialogs, e.g. the start dialog (button 'New game') or the result viewer (see buttons 'Engine'). Most often it will be used from the PGN file browser by a double-click.

 

The game browser has a very small width, because I frequently need the space on my screen for other windows at the same time. To provide a lot of function it has therefore two panels with three and four tabs, respectively.

I suggest that you study the three menus Game, Settings and Engines in detail. They have a lot to offer.

The Engines menu is the as everywhere else, but only in windows using an engine (like this one) the menu item Configure current engine can be used.

At the far right of the menu bar there are five icons that can be clicked.

  • A chessboard: Store a picture of the board.
  • A piece of a film: Create an animated GIF (of the whole game).
  • A clipboard: Add the game to the games clipboard (which is managed in the start dialog).
  • A red triangle to the left: Show previous game.
  • A green triangle to the right: Show next game.

You don't have to learn the meaning. Hover the mouse over any icon and read the hint given.

 

The current game can be modified in various ways by the context menu.

There are several key shortcuts in the Game menu, but the most useful ones are 'Alt + F2' for starting or stopping an infinite analysis of the current position, and 'Alt + F3', which does the same for a blunder check. (Here 'Alt+Fx' means: Press the Alt and the Fx key at the same time.)

If you like drawing colorful arrows on the chessboard or coloring squares, there is also this possibility. Press the Alt key and draw an arrow or click on a square and you will get a green decoration. For yellow, use the Alt and Control keys together, and for red, use the Alt and Shift keys. Instead of Control the Meta key should work, too.

For additional features visible on the board, please use the board's context menu (right-click the mouse).

Please try everything.

Track pieces

 

Here you see the meaning of Track the piece. The white king and the black knight are tracked. The moves already made are shown in light and dark grey, while the future moves are shown in green and orange.

Gegenfelder / Corresponding squares

You may be familiar with the following diagram. It shows a famous example by Locock (1892).

It is made with the menu items for numbers.

 

(Lichess) Puzzle mode

In connection with my activities around the Lichess puzzle database, the game browser has got a puzzle mode.

In the picture you can see how to select the option. Once this "Lichess Puzzle" mode is selected, it has various effects.

 

The loaded game is treated as a Lichess puzzle, and hence the game notation will only be shown step by step.

You can execute moves on the board as usual. You should do this for the moves of the side that has to solve the puzzle.

If you enter a correct move this way, it will be shown as the mainline, and otherwise as a variation. To see more mainline moves, please use the right arrow on your keyboard or the corresponding button below the board, as usual. This should be used for moves of the other side, but it can also be used for both sides.

 

New games/puzzles will be shown with one move executed and the board flipped such that side to move (and to solve) is shown at the bottom. If you have chosen the option "Highlight last move", too, then the last move is as usual highlighted on the board (see picture).