I guess you could split your issue up:
1) Fronend: User interface, moving the pieces and so on...
2) Backend: Chessengine what you might be interested in.
so again to split up 2) =>
a) rules
b) board representation
c) search algorithm
d) evaluation function
You can start out by implementing the rules your self. Making up some sort of board representation (ex: array of integers). Google minimax as search algorithm for selecting moves and using an evaluation function that simply adds up the piece-values for black and white and subtracts them.
When you are done you could try to look into some code: stockfish is super hardcore. so dont start there. you could start with ex: http://www.tckerrigan.com/Chess/TSCP.
I have never done it... I have written the rules a few times but never really finish the job creating a full engine. Its a lot of work :)
Hi,
Where can I learn the basics of computer chess?
Plus are there any open source engines and is it worth it to try and look at the source code? :p