M30

A custom chess engine implemented in Python that utilizes the python-chess library for move validation and board state management This engine employs a Minimax algorithm with Alpha-Beta pruning and uses Piece-Square Tables (PST) for position-based evaluation

✨ Features

• Search Algorithm: Implements a Minimax search with Alpha-Beta pruning to find the optimal move within a specified depth

• Move Ordering: Optimizes the search process by ordering moves before evaluation to improve pruning efficiency

• Evaluation System:

  • Material Weighting: Assigns standard values to pieces (e.g., Pawn: 100, Queen: 900, King: 20,000)
  • Piece-Square Tables (PST): Uses specialized tables to encourage pieces to occupy strategically advantageous squares
  • Endgame Logic: Automatically detects endgame states to transition the King's behavior from defensive to active positioning

• Efficiency Optimizations:

  • Zobrist Hashing: Generates unique hash keys for board positions to allow for fast lookups
  • Transposition Table: Stores previously evaluated positions to avoid redundant calculations

• Dual Interface: Supports both a standard command-line interface (CLI) and the Universal Chess Interface (UCI) protocol for use with external chess GUIs

🔲 Piece-Square Tables (PST)

The engine applies specific evaluation mappings for every piece type to determine the "value" of a square

• Pawns: Encouraged to advance and occupy the center
• Knights: Penalized for being on the edges of the board
• Bishops: Encouraged to stay off the back rank and control diagonals
• Rooks: Incentivized to occupy the 7th rank and central files
• Kings: In the mid-game, the engine prioritizes king safety (corners); in the endgame, it shifts to a table that encourages the king to participate in the center

❔ How to Use

Requirements

• Python 3.x
• python-chess library

Running the Engine

You can run the engine in two different modes:

1. Command Line Interface (CLI): Play directly against the engine in your terminal.
2. You can specify the search depth using the --depth flag (default is 3)
3. UCI Mode: To use the engine with a GUI (like Arena or Cute Chess), use the --uci flag -> CURRENTLY UNDER MAINTAINENCE

Notes

Good Luck!