WinBoard / XBoard 4.4.0 released

The final version of XBoard 4.4.0 has been released. It is obtainable both from the GNU-Savannah XBoard home page, as well as from the WinBoard forum.

Major new features compared to 4.3.15 are:
* that this is now an "official" version endorsed by GNU
* engine-defined options can be set from a GUI dialog (for UCI and WB engines!)
* (optional) engine logos are supported in WinBoard
* it is possible to analyze obeserved ICS games with an engine
* the WinBoard binary is distributed as an installer including all essential support programs (e.g. Polyglot) and many optional extras

Some Screenshots:


WinBoard using a marble board texture and /autoLogo=true


Dialog to set engine options, using WB protocol extensions and a Polyglot that supports them

What I forgot to mention:

WinBoard 4.4.0 is also available in a special version for visually impaired people. It can be controlled completely through the keyboard (a mouse is useless if you cannot see the moue pointer...), allowing one to select board squares by using the arrow keys, and providing auditory feedback with the aid of the JAWS screen reader. It contains an extra set of menu commands (all operable through accellerator keys) to make JAWS recite information on the current position, such as location of pieces of a given type or color, occupancy of a selected square, moves into or out of a square, and the last move made.

This version is called WinBoard 4.4.0-JAWS.

I hope this version can get a special mention on the WBEC news page.

Thanks Harm,

Looks great!

Best wishes,
Leo