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Subject: Want to write a windows based chess program

Author: John Coffey

Date: 10:57:29 09/05/98


I want to write a windows based chess program.

Where are some good sources for info about chess program design?
I understand the "alpha-beta" algorithm, but would like more info.
There used to be a book called "How Computers Play Chess", is it
still available.


Personal replies appreicated

It seems to me that there might be three basic approaches to
writting a chess program.....

1.  A traditional alpha-beta tree search where ....

A.  A crude positional evaluation is done at the end of each tree branch.

or

B.  A seperate positional analysis is done either with ...

i.  Checking the current position for positional ideas.
(this is the same approach used by the Novag Super Constellation years ago.)

ii.  A seperate more shallow tree search is done for positional ideas. (The
approach I want to try.)

or

2.  The program keeps track of its state, including all legal moves and
positional evaluation as it traverses the tree.  (I understand that
some modern programs may use this approach, but my gut feeling is that
the overhead would be enormous.)

Personal replies appreicated.

John Coffey



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