To analyze and calculate travel optionschess pieces 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 field representation
Any chess engine must be able to correctlyrepresent the board on which further events will take place. 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, it is impossible to make moves.
There are two options for representing the playing field:
- in cells;
- on the figures.
When storing data in the first case are determinedthe coordinates of the board, after which their contents. As for the other method, it involves memorizing 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 about the game board. It contains 64 cells, so it is quite convenient to represent it in digital form.
Basic principles of work
The batch dynamics program is viewed from the pointview of the tree of calculations, which is a bust of game moves. Depending on the type of application used, the depth of calculation can vary considerably. There are more than three dozen moves at each position.
For calculations on multiple displacementsForward the computer has to handle about 2 billion variants. The possibilities of computers are limited, so programmers are trying to limit such a huge array. They present special methods for evaluating existing positions in order to immediately discard less promising moves.
Analysis of the location of the figure on the chessboardis a very important part of the algorithm used. However, he with a sharp change in the game situation gives some failures. With a short horizon of calculations, problems often arise during the exchange of pieces, when one of them is already beaten, and the second is not. The estimation of the position in this case becomes erroneous.
People without special difficulties determine such episodes on an intuitive level. For a chess program, special conditions must be set that can change the mode of operation.
The best chess engines for players
Like ordinary chess players, computer programsparticipate in special tournaments. However, for an objective assessment it is too early to speak, since the number of parties is not so large. To confidently assert the power of chess engines, it is necessary to hold thousands of games.
The same programs are presented to the programs.requirements in terms of hardware power and some other parameters. For a more effective assessment, rating sheets are used. To compose them, games are played on standard machines to ensure minimal differences in processor power.
Sometimes debuts are standardized, due to which it is possible to analyze precisely the power of computer programs. In drawing up the 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 get acquainted with the indicators of the most popular programs.
Name | Description | Glasses |
KOMODO | The project has existed since 2007. Most recently, he began to occupy a leading position in the rankings | 3358 |
STOCKFISH | For a long time, a group of scientists of different nationalities was engaged in development. | 3340 |
HOUDINI | The engine appeared in 2010 and immediately gained popularity in a short period of time. | 3256 |
FIRE | The program for many years was based on open source, but now it is not used | 3207 |
GULL | Serves as a debutant in the chess world. Open source is still used | 3200 |
Final part
In the development of chess engines a significant roleplayed a rivalry with Garry Kasparov, who at that time lost only one game to the car. Over time, the number of played matches began to increase, and the scale began to decline not in favor of the people. Modern programs can play stronger than humans. They are actively used to prepare for important tournaments.