Chess engines - computer programs for calculating moves

To analyze and calculate the options for moving pieces in chess, special computer programs were developed to simulate a game with a live opponent. They are usually integrated into various shells, since they do not have their own graphical interface. Such programs are called chess engines. With their help, it is possible to more effectively master the game.

Digital representation of the field

Any chess engine should be able to correctly represent the board on which further events will occur. It is necessary to translate all the rules of the game into a computer-friendly program that can store a certain position in the game. Without this, making moves is impossible.

There are two options for representing the playing field:

• by cells;
• according to the figures.
  

When storing data in the first case, the coordinates of the board are determined, after which their contents. As for the other method, it involves storing the figures and their location on the field. These methods have their advantages and disadvantages, but the vast majority of chess programs use the option of storing data directly on the game board. It contains 64 cells, so it is quite convenient to digitally represent it.

Basic principles of work

The party dynamics program is considered from the point of view of the calculation tree, which is a bust of game moves. Depending on the type of application used, the depth of computation can vary greatly. There are more than three dozen moves at each position.

To carry out calculations for several forward movements, the computer has to process about 2 billion options. The capabilities of computers are limited, so programmers are trying to cut such a huge array. They provide special methods for evaluating existing positions in order to immediately discard less promising moves.

Analysis of the position of a piece on a chessboard is a very important part of the algorithm used. However, he, with a sharp change in the game situation, gives certain malfunctions. With a short calculation horizon, problems often arise when exchanging pieces, when one of them is already beaten, and the second does not. Evaluation of the position in this case becomes erroneous.

People with no particular difficulties define such episodes on an intuitive level. For the chess program, special conditions must be set that can change the mode of functioning.

The best chess engines for players

Like regular chess players, computer programs participate in special tournaments. However, for an objective assessment it is too early to speak, since the number of parties is not so large. In order to assert with confidence the power of chess engines, thousands of games must be conducted.

The programs have the same requirements in terms of hardware power and some other parameters. For a more effective assessment, rating lists are used. To compile them, games are played on standard machines to ensure minimal differences in processor power.

Debuts are sometimes standardized, thanks to which it is possible to analyze exactly the power of computer programs. When making ratings, the errors that are possible in the assessment are usually taken into account.

Before you install the chess engine on your computer, it is best to familiarize yourself with the indicators of the most popular programs.

Final part

A significant role in the development of chess engines was played by the rivalry with Garry Kasparov, who at that time lost only one game to the machine. Over time, the number of matches played began to increase, and the scales began to decline not in favor of people. Modern programs are able to play stronger than humans. They are actively used to prepare for important tournaments.