Anyone interested in computer chess and computer programming may want to check out shatranj at github.com. It shows how much work is involved in coming up with a rudimentary computer chess game. It helps to have Python installed already on your computer.
Sam Tannous did an outstanding job writing this Python program. Be sure to read the LICENSE, the software is free, but has some restrictions on use in computer competitions.
This is a good program for someone who wants to dabble with playing computer chess and writing computer chess algorithms.
Good Luck and Happy Wood pushing, Happy Programming!