Even More Checkers Research and Ideas

I have begun to write down all of the Checker's strategies that do 2 for 1 trades, 3 for 2 trades or 3 for 1 trades in order to remember them also in the future for when I actually begin coding the program. I will create short algorithms for each of these trades that activate when the pieces on the board are in a certain positions. I may create a flowchart for each possible trade position but that may be pointless and time consuming. A few more diagrams will be scanned and uploaded soon so be prepared. Once I have figured out the computer hard difficulty algorithm, everything will be straight forward from there. I am not too far from figuring out an algorithm that has hard to beat.

More Checkers research and Ideas

I have done more research on how to win Checkers in order to apply that to my computer hard difficulty. I have learned a few strategies. Using the force jump rule, I have noticed that your opponent would force you to jump one of his pieces and in turn he jumps two of yours. Also, he would force you to jump two pieces then he would jump three of yours. I have learned that you must do trades like these such as 2 for 1, 3 for 2 or even 3 for 1 to win the game.
Another basic strategy is to not move your very back row unless you absolutely need to. This prevents your opponent from getting Kings (the pieces that can move forward and backwards). In order to completely finish the flowchart diagrams, I need to do this research for the computer hard difficulty flowchart.


I also am thinking of adding an 'instructions' page where it tells you how to play Checkers and all the rules. For example, I did not know that if you cannot move a piece then you lose. There might be others that do not know rules such as these.

Brainstorming of Ideas and Progress Update

I have begun to think of many extra ideas I could apply to the creation of the Checkers game. Since I will not change the rules of the Checkers game itself, I will add many extra features to enhance the users experience and eventually make the program easier to use.

I plan to add a save and load function which simply creates a text file in the PC's C: drive that it can automatically access or perhaps allowing multiple save files, so the user can come back and resume more than one game. A highscore table can be added that will calculate who won Checkers in the smallest amount of moves. This will also have to be saved to an external file.


In terms of progress, I have finished the feasibility study and have begun the Ideas and Generation. After that, I will begin the diagrams, namely the flowcharts. I plan to work on this project a lot more often now that the Year 12 exams are coming up. Study may get in the way of the planning for the Checkers game. The study will also include studying Software Design and Development itself.

Decisions

I have decided to begin the production of a Checkers game and it will not be coded in Java or an android app. I plan for it to be two player and the option of playing against a computer or AI. For those who do not remember, Checkers is the game where there is an 8x8 board and the pieces or only placed on the black squares and can only move diagonally. That might jolt your memory. I will begin creating the flowcharts very soon.
Considering the workload I have in year 12, I don't really have to time to learn a new language at the moment.

For the major project, I have been brainstorming ideas for it. It is possible that I might do an android app. I have downloaded the program 'Eclipse' that programs in Java and I am attempting to learn it. My dad programs in Java so he can teach me how to code well.