Yes. An engine is just a program that plays chess. You can normally plug it into multiple contexts if it conforms to common chess software interfaces.
Could you expand on "You could normally plug it into multiple contexts if it conforms to common chess software" An example would be great--Thanks
Yes. An engine is just a program that plays chess. You can normally plug it into multiple contexts if it conforms to common chess software interfaces.
Thanks Redbirdpat, it's good to get that point cleared up.
Yes. An engine is just a program that plays chess. You can normally plug it into multiple contexts if it conforms to common chess software interfaces.
Could you expand on "You could normally plug it into multiple contexts if it conforms to common chess software" An example would be great--Thanks
I think there are basically 2 popular chess engine protocols. One is Winboard and the other is UCI (Universal Chess Interface). So when somebody writes a chess engine, they usually conform to one or both of these protocols.
This is what allows two different programs to play each other. If they conform to the same protocol, then they can exchange moves. You can think of a protocol as just an agreed upon standard to exchange moves in chess. Kinda like Morse Code (that's a very simplified example). If both parties know Morse code, you can exchange messages. And with one of the chess protocols, the messages are chess moves. Again, very simplified example.
Then there are GUIs that are developed. If the GUI supports both protocols, you can plug in any engine that supports those protocols into the GUI. You can then play against that particular engine. Or have the engines play against one another with the moves being shown in the GUI.
i would concentrate more on learning the ideas behind the openings. Study master games to see what plans they employ. Note how some openings go quickly from middle game to ending. example berlin variation of the ruy lopez which is in fashion among the elite players . I have been following live relay of tournaments recently- london classic, tata steel, gibraltar and have very pleased. the commemtators have been very good at explaining the various possibilities in the games. also the viudeos on this site are excellent
Yes. An engine is just a program that plays chess. You can normally plug it into multiple contexts if it conforms to common chess software interfaces.
Could you expand on "You could normally plug it into multiple contexts if it conforms to common chess software" An example would be great--Thanks
I think there are basically 2 popular chess engine protocols. One is Winboard and the other is UCI (Universal Chess Interface). So when somebody writes a chess engine, they usually conform to one or both of these protocols.
This is what allows two different programs to play each other. If they conform to the same protocol, then they can exchange moves. You can think of a protocol as just an agreed upon standard to exchange moves in chess. Kinda like Morse Code (that's a very simplified example). If both parties know Morse code, you can exchange messages. And with one of the chess protocols, the messages are chess moves. Again, very simplified example.
Then there are GUIs that are developed. If the GUI supports both protocols, you can plug in any engine that supports those protocols into the GUI. You can then play against that particular engine. Or have the engines play against one another with the moves being shown in the GUI.
Hi redbirdap,
Great comments. Very intersting
I see what U say about 2 chess engines having the same and different protocols (in other words having the same rules). Has U said if two engines have the same protocols (same rules) then they can play against each other. How is this set up as it could tell which engine is the best. You also said that even if two engines have different protocols you could use a Gernal User Interface (GUI) to allow them play against each other. Would love to know how this is set up because not only is it interesting it would be fun which engine would come out on top.
There has been a few engines mentioned here like Fitz Hondine and chessmaster. Do not know the protocols. A reply to this would be great and if at all possible could it be set up
I see what U say about 2 chess engines having the same and different protocols (in other words having the same rules). Has U said if two engines have the same protocols (same rules) then they can play against each other. How is this set up as it could tell which engine is the best. You also said that even if two engines have different protocols you could use a Gernal User Interface (GUI) to allow them play against each other. Would love to know how this is set up because not only is it interesting it would be fun which engine would come out on top.
There has been a few engines mentioned here like Fitz Hondine and chessmaster. Do not know the protocols. A reply to this would be great and if at all possible could it be set up
The first thing would be to find a GUI (graphical user interface). There are a few of them out there that are free that support both protocols I mentioned. I'm actually not an expert on what's available, so somebody else might be better to point you in the right direction. I'm aware of Arena and Winboard (which is a GUI program as well as a protocol).
Each GUI will comes with its own documentation on how to set it up. There are 2 free chess engines that I know of that are very strong. Stockfish and Houdini. Houdini is stronger, and if you played them against each other, you would probably find that out. There are other ones out there as well. These are just the 2 strongest free ones I'm aware of.
So for example, you could download the Arena GUI. You could download the Stockfish engine. And download the Houdini engine. You will have to read their documentation to see how to plug in both engines into the GUI. Once that is set up, you can start a game and watch them play each other. You'll also have to read the Arena documentation on how to select which engine plays which side.
There are other programs like Fritz that come with their own engine and GUI. So if you bought Fritz, you could also plug in Stockfish and Houdini to play against Fritz. Same with Rybka.
Chessmaster is a little different. I don't believe that its engine (The King) supports either of those protocols, so I don't think you can plug their engine into another environment. I could be wrong, but I think it only runs within Chessmaster. There is a way to plug in other engines into Chessmaster, but I think it's a little convoluted. I know its possible though.
Could U please tell me where I can see comentrators tournaments???? Are they on this site. Sorry about so much questions but I am very new to this site and chess itself
I agree with you that the videos are great on this site. But maybe going that do fast for a new player. There are just my vews after looking at a few. Thanks for your advice. Great site and great help from the majority of people on the site
Could U please tell me where I can see comentrators tournaments???? Are they on this site. Sorry about so much questions but I am very new to this site and chess itself
You know what's fun with chess? Trying to solve the problems that appear over the board. 
I think that you need to get to school tomorrow.
I think that you need to get to school tomorrow.
I am I am 6 years old. I love school. Do you ( I think that you need to GO to school tomorrow)
Six-year-olds shouldn't curse! Neither should anyone else, but especially you.
(Oh, and other than that, you have pretty good chess skills for a 6-year-old.)
Six-year-olds shouldn't curse! Neither should anyone else, but especially you.
(Oh, and other than that, you have pretty good chess skills for a 6-year-old.)
We all curse now again. Are you telling me you never said a bad word yourself. Come on now. I do not think you are a saint.
Six-year-olds shouldn't curse! Neither should anyone else, but especially you.
(Oh, and other than that, you have pretty good chess skills for a 6-year-old.)
We all curse now again. Are you telling me you never said a bad word yourself. Come on now. I do not think you are a saint.
Are you also saying that a six year old can not have good chess skills. Shame on you. Of course we can.
So i downloaded houdini 1.5a. I want to play on this.
I being a noob. Please guide me.
When i start the exe file. Nothing starts. A 'Dos' sort of window starts. How to do this? I wanna play with this engine.
Your help will be greatly appreciated.
So i downloaded houdini 1.5a. I want to play on this.
I being a noob. Please guide me.
When i start the exe file. Nothing starts. A 'Dos' sort of window starts. How to do this? I wanna play with this engine.
Your help will be greatly appreciated.
You need to run it in a GUI. There are a few out there. I use SCID, mainly as a database application and the engine for analysis, but you can set it up to play vs engines too.
Yes. An engine is just a program that plays chess. You can normally plug it into multiple contexts if it conforms to common chess software interfaces.