When Bovo is started the first time, it needs resizing. Resize the game window to desired size, and Bovo will scale up the playing board.

The first time Bovo is started it is launched in demo mode, where two AI players battle each other.

When Bovo is exited prior to game over, the active game is auto saved. If Bovo detects an auto saved game at startup, it is restored. If not, Bovo launches a demo mode.

You can always start a new game with the New button in the toolbar, the Game → New menu entry in the menubar or with the default shortcut Ctrl+N.

If a new game is started when a game is already active, it is counted as a loss.

Changing the difficulty can be done with the Difficulty drop down box in the right end of the status bar, or from the Settings → Difficulty menu entry in the menubar.

The effect of changing difficulty takes place immediately.

You can switch the theme of Bovo from the Settings → Theme menu entry in the menubar. The theme is then switched immediately.

Animation can be switched on or off as you like from the Settings → Animation menu entry in the menubar.

If you just realized you made a very bad move, you have the possibility to undo your last move from the toolbar, the menubar or with the default undo keyboard shortcut Ctrl+Z.

You can keep on undoing moves until you reaches the beginning of the game.

If you don't know what move to make, you can get a hint from the computer player with the Hint button. The game piece suggested by the Bovo AI then flashes for a brief period of time.

When a game is over, the Replay action is enabled, which starts a replay of the last game.