m8 Dev log and C# experiments

[mathmoi]

I was inspired to try and write a chess engine using C# in another thread and decided to give it a go.

I'm not sure how far I'll go, but I also wanted to start a dev log thread here a other have done and share my experience and some eperiments I might do along the way.

I just did a first performance experiment, I tried to test if it would be possible to make a struct wrapper around an integral type to make the code more type safe and more expressive. My very limited test seems to imply it will be possible.

I wrote a post about it on my blog. I will try and write about theses eperiments in blog form too as a way to try to become a better writer. As it's probably painfully obvious english is not my first language.

https://www.mathieupage.com/posts/sharper-chess-engine/

My next steps will be to write some bases types and a Board representation.

[chessica]

I was inspired to try and write a chess engine using C# in another thread and decided to give it a go.

I'm not sure how far I'll go, but I also wanted to start a dev log thread here a other have done and share my experience and some eperiments I might do along the way.

I just did a first performance experiment, I tried to test if it would be possible to make a struct wrapper around an integral type to make the code more type safe and more expressive. My very limited test seems to imply it will be possible.

I wrote a post about it on my blog. I will try and write about theses eperiments in blog form too as a way to try to become a better writer. As it's probably painfully obvious english is not my first language.

https://www.mathieupage.com/posts/sharper-chess-engine/

My next steps will be to write some bases types and a Board representation.

[pgn][Event "Test.at"] [Site "PRIVAT-PC"] [Date "2023.11.14"] [Round "1"] [White "Matmoi"] [Black "Adachess"] [Result "0-1"] [BlackElo "2200"] [ECO "D02"] [Opening "Damenbauernspiel"] [Time "09:43:07"] [Variation "2.Nf3 Nc6"] [WhiteElo "2000"] [TimeControl "300"] [Termination "normal"] [PlyCount "120"] [WhiteType "program"] [BlackType "program"] 1. d4 d5 {(2. .. d5 2. Bf4 Nf6 3. e3 Bf5 4. Nc3 e6 5. Nf3 Nc6 6. Bb5) -0.11/1 10} 2. Nf3 Nc6 {(3. .. Nc6 3. e3 Nf6 4. Bb5 Bd7 5. Nc3 h5 6. a3 h4 7. Bxc6 Bxc6) -0.12/1 7} 3. e3 Nf6 {(4. .. Nf6) -0.12/1 7} 4. c4 {(c4 Bg4 cxd5 Nxd5 Nc3 Nxc3 bxc3 Bxf3 gxf3 e5) -0.02/10 3} e6 {(5. .. e6) +0.10/1 7} 5. Nc3 Bb4 {(6. .. Bb4) +0.27/1 6} 6. Bd2 {(Bd2 O-O Bd3 Bd7 a4 Bxc3 bxc3 dxc4 Bxc4 g6 Ne5 Ne4 f4) +0.08/13 16} O-O {(7. .. O-O 7. Bd3 dxc4 8. Bxc4 Bxc3 9. Bxc3 Ne4 10. O-O Bd7 11. Rc1) +0.05/1 6} 7. Bd3 {(Bd3 Bxc3 bxc3 Bd7 a4 dxc4) +0.06/12 4} dxc4 {(8. .. dxc4 8. Bxc4 Bd6 9. O-O a6 10. Qc2 Ng4 11. Ne4) +0.08/1 6} 8. Bxc4 {(Bxc4 b6 Ne5 Bxc3 Bxc3 Bb7 Ba6 Bxa6 Nxc6 Qe8 Ne5 Ne4) +0.06/12 7} Be7 {(9. .. Be7) -0.04/1 6} 9. a4 {(a4 Bd7 e4 Bb4 e5 Bxc3 bxc3 Nd5 Qb3 Na5) +0.16/10 4} Na5 {(10. .. Na5 10. Be2 c5 11. O-O Nc6 12. dxc5 Bxc5 13. Qc2 Bd6) +0.03/1 6} 10. b3 {(b3 c5 dxc5 Bxc5 Ne5 Bd7) +0.13/12 15} Nxc4 {(11. .. Nxc4 11. bxc4 b6 12. O-O Bb7 13. Rb1 c5 14. Nb5 Be4 15. Rb2) +0.31/1 6} 11. bxc4 {(bxc4 c5 dxc5 Bxc5 Ne5 Bd6 f4 Bd7 Nxd7 Qxd7 O-O Qc6 Qb3) +0.17/13 4} b6 {(12. .. b6) +0.24/1 5} 12. e4 {(e4 Bb4 Qb1 Bxc3 Bxc3 Bb7 Nd2 g5 g3 Bc6 O-O) +0.15/11 2} Bb7 {(13. .. Bb7 13. e5 Ne4 14. O-O Qd7 15. a5 Nxc3 16. Bxc3 b5 17. cxb5 Qxb5) +0.43/1 5} 13. Qb1 {(Qb1 c5 d5 exd5 cxd5 Bd6 a5 Re8 Be3 Ba6 axb6 axb6) +0.12/12 13} Re8 {(14. .. Re8) +0.28/1 5} 14. a5 {(a5 c5 a6 Bc6 d5 exd5 cxd5 Bd7 Ne5 Bd6) +0.20/10 4} c5 {(15. .. c5 15. dxc5 Bxc5 16. O-O Qb8 17. Bg5 Ng4 18. axb6 axb6 19. Rxa8 Bxa8) +0.40/1 5} 15. a6 {(a6 Bc6 d5 exd5 cxd5 Bd7 O-O Bd6 h4 h5 Be3 g6) +0.21/12 4} Bc6 {(16. .. Bc6) +0.47/1 5} 16. Be3 {(Be3 Ng4 Qc2 f5 O-O-O Nxe3 fxe3 Bxe4 Nxe4 fxe4 Qxe4) +0.16/11 2} Ng4 {(17. .. Ng4) +0.54/1 5} 17. d5 {(d5 Bf6 Ra3 exd5 cxd5 Bxc3+ Rxc3 Qf6 Ra3 Nxe3 fxe3) +0.16/11 6} Bf6 {(18. .. Bf6) +0.99/1 5} 18. Ra3 {(Ra3 exd5 cxd5 Bd7 h3 Nxe3 fxe3 Qe7 Nd2 Bh4+ Kf1 Bf6) +0.08/12 3} Nxe3 {(19. .. Nxe3) +1.03/1 5} 19. fxe3 {(fxe3 exd5 cxd5 Bd7 Nd1 g5 O-O g4 Nd2 Be5 g3 Qc8 Nc4) +0.05/13 3} exd5 {(20. .. exd5) +0.91/1 4} 20. cxd5 {(cxd5 Bd7 Nd2 Be5 O-O Qe7 h3 h5 Qd1 h4 Rb3 f6 Qc1) +0.08/13 5} Bd7 {(21. .. Bd7) +1.31/1 4} 21. O-O {(O-O Qe7 Nd2 g5 g3 g4 Nb5 Be5 Nc4 Bxb5 Qxb5 f6) +0.10/12 5} Qe7 {(22. .. Qe7 22. Nd2 Be5 23. Nb5 Bxb5 24. Qxb5 Qh4 25. g3 Qh3 26. Qc6) +1.17/1 4} 22. Nd2 {(Nd2 Be5 Ne2 g6 Nc4 Bg7 Qa2 b5 Nd2 Be5 Nf3) +0.08/11 2} Be5 {(23. .. Be5) +1.12/1 4} 23. g3 {(g3 g6 Re1 h5 Ne2 f5 Nf3 Bd6 exf5 gxf5) +0.06/10 2} Rac8 {(24. .. Rac8) +1.44/1 4} 24. Qc1 {(Qc1 g5 Ne2 b5 Ra5 h5 Nf3 Bf6 Nd2 Be5 Nc3 b4) +0.02/12 10} b5 {(25. .. b5 25. Ra5 Rb8 26. Kh1 c4 27. Ne2 Bh3 28. Rf2 Rb6) +1.55/1 4} 25. Ra5 {(Ra5 Qd8 Ra2 g5 Rc2 b4 Ne2 Bb5 Rf2 Bxe2 Rxe2) +0.01/11 4} c4 {(26. .. c4) +2.12/1 4} 26. Nd1 {(Nd1 c3 Nf3 Bc7 Ra2 Qxe4 Nxc3 Qxe3+ Qxe3 Rxe3) -0.78/10 5} c3 {(27. .. c3 27. Nf3 Bh3 28. Rf2 Qb4 29. Raa2 Bf6 30. e5 Bxe5 31. Nxe5 Rxe5) +2.35/1 4} 27. Nf3 {(Nf3 Qb4 Ra2 Qxe4 Nxe5 Qxe5 Raf2 f5 Rg2 b4 Qb1 Qxd5 Qxb4) -1.13/13 5} Bc7 {(28. .. Bc7 28. Ra3 c2 29. Nf2 b4 30. Rd3 Bb5 31. Qxc2 Bxd3 32. Qxd3) +2.30/1 3} 28. Ra2 {(Ra2 Qxe4 Nxc3 Qxe3+ Qxe3 Rxe3 Ne2 Bb6 Kh1 Bh3 Rf2 Bf5) -1.03/12 2} b4 {(29. .. b4) +2.87/1 3} 29. Qc2 {(Qc2 Qxe4 Qxe4 Rxe4 Ng5 Re5 Nxf7 Rxd5 e4 Rd2 Ra1 Bc6) -1.14/12 2} Qxe4 {(30. .. Qxe4) +3.29/1 3} 30. Qxe4 {(Qxe4 Rxe4 Ng5 Re5 Nxf7 Rxd5 e4 Rc5 Ne3 Re8 Nd5) -2.05/11 3} Rxe4 {(31. .. Rxe4) +3.42/1 3} 31. Ng5 {(Ng5 Re5 Nxf7 Rxd5 e4 Rd4 Ng5 h6 Nf3 Rxe4 Nf2 Bb6) -2.17/12 3} Re7 {(32. .. Re7) +3.90/1 3} 32. Rc2 {(Rc2 Bb5 Rf3 Bxa6 Nf2 Bc4 e4 Be5 Nd3 b3) -2.18/10 2} h6 {(33. .. h6) +4.20/1 3} 33. Nf3 {(Nf3 Bf5 Rc1 Be4 Nd4 Bxd5 Nf2 Bc4 Rfe1 Be5 Nf5 Re6 Rb1) -2.31/13 8} Bf5 {(34. .. Bf5 34. Rc1 Bd3 35. Re1 Bb6 36. Kg2 c2 37. Nf2 Bxa6 38. Nd4) +4.20/1 3} 34. Rc1 {(Rc1 Be4 Nd4 Bxd5 Rb1 Bd6 Nf5 Re6 Nf2 c2 Ra1 g5 Nd3) -2.36/13 1} Bd3 {(35. .. Bd3) +4.33/1 3} 35. Rf2 {(Re1 Be4 Nd4 Bxd5 Nf2 Bb6 Rcd1 Bxd4 Rxd4 c2 Nd3 Be4 Rc1) -2.28/13 7} Rd8 {(36. .. Rd8 36. Nxc3 bxc3 37. Rxc3 Rxd5 38. Rd2 Red7 39. Ne1 Be4 40. Rxd5 Bxd5) +4.23/1 3} 36. Nd4 {(Nd4 Rxd5 Nc6 Re4 Nxa7 Re6 Ra2 Be5 Nc8 Bxa6 Ne7+ Rxe7) -2.44/12 5} Rxd5 {(37. .. Rxd5) +4.58/1 3} 37. Nc6 Re4 {(38. .. Re4) +4.52/1 3} 38. Kg2 {(Kg2 Rd6 Nd4 g6 Kg1 Bb6 Nc2 f5 h4 Bc5 Ra1) -3.38/11 1} Rc5 {(39. .. Rc5) +5.01/1 3} 39. Nd4 {(Nd4 Be5 Nf3 Ra5 Nxe5 Rexe5 Kg1 Be4 Rf4 Rxa6 Nf2) -3.40/11 1} Bxa6 {(40. .. Bxa6) +5.46/1 2} 40. Ra2 {(Ra2 Ra5 Rxa5 Bxa5 Ra1 Bb7 Kg1 Bb6 Rb1 Bxd4 exd4 c2) -3.28/12 2} Ra5 {(41. .. Ra5 41. Rxa5 Bxa5 42. Nc6 Bb6 43. Kf3 Rc4 44. Nxb4 Bb7+ 45. Kf2 Rxb4 46. Nxc3) +5.44/1 2} 41. Rxa5 {(Rxa5 Bxa5 Kf3 Bb7 Kf2 Bb6 Nf5 Bd5 h3 Re5 g4 Be4 Nd6) -3.54/13 4} Bxa5 {(42. .. Bxa5) +5.51/1 5} 42. h3 {(h3 Bb6 Nf5 Re5 Nd4 Bxd4 exd4 Rd5 Ra1 Rxd4 Rxa6 Rxd1) -3.54/12 1} Re5 {(43. .. Re5) +5.79/1 5} 43. Kh2 {(Kh2 Bb6 Nc6 Re4 Nf2 Rxe3 Nxb4 Bc4 Nd1 Re2+ Kh1 Re1+) -3.46/12 1} Bb7 {(44. .. Bb7) +5.87/1 4} 44. Kg1 {(Kg1 Bb6 Ra1 Re4 h4 Bxd4 exd4 c2 Nf2 Rxd4) -4.31/11 1} Bb6 {(45. .. Bb6) +6.45/1 4} 45. Kf2 {(Kf2 Bxd4 exd4 Re4 Ne3 Rxd4 Kg1 Be4 Ra1 c2 Rc1 b3 g4) -4.45/13 2} Rc5 {(46. .. Rc5) +6.64/1 4} 46. Ke2 {(Ke2 Rd5 Kd3 f5 Kc4 a5 g4 Bxd4 exd4 f4 Nf2 g5) -3.62/12 4} a5 {(47. .. a5) +6.78/1 4} 47. g4 {(g4 Re5 Nf3 Bxf3+ Kxf3 f6 h4 h5 gxh5 Rxh5 Kg3) -3.64/11 2} Kh7 {(48. .. Kh7) +6.86/1 3} 48. Kf2 {(Kf2 Re5 Nf3 Bxf3 Kxf3 Kg8 e4 f6 Ne3 Bxe3 Kxe3 g5) -3.56/12 3} a4 {(49. .. a4) +6.93/1 3} 49. Ne2 {(Ne2 Kg8 Ke1 Re5 Kf2 Bd5 Ng3 f6 Nf5 Be4 Nd6) -3.64/11 2} Ba5 {(50. .. Ba5) +6.94/1 3} 50. h4 {(h4 Kg8 Ra1 b3 Rxa4 b2 Rxa5 b1=Q Rxc5 Qxd1 Rxc3) -4.04/11 4} a3 {(51. .. a3) +7.20/1 3} 51. e4 {(Nd4 Bb6 Ke2 a2 Nf2 Ba6+ Kd1 Rd5 Ra1 Bxd4 exd4 Bc4 Ne4) -4.28/13 4} Bxe4 {(52. .. Bxe4) +7.99/1 3} 52. Ng3 {(Ng3 Bd3 Ke3 Rd5 Nf2 Bb6+ Kf3 Kg8 Nxd3 Rxd3+ Kg2) -4.57/11 4} Bc6 {(53. .. Bc6!?) +8.54/1 3} 53. Ne3 {(Ne3 Bb6 Kf1 Kg8 Nef5 Re5 Ra1 Bd5 Nh5 Bc4+ Kg2) -4.62/11 4} a2 {(54. .. a2) +8.98/1 2} 54. Nd5 {(Ra1 b3 Rxa2 bxa2 Nc2 Ba4 Na1 c2 Nxc2 Bxc2) -10.26/10 3} Rxd5 {(55. .. Rxd5) +12.86/1 2} 55. g5 {(g5 b3 g6+ fxg6 h5 b2 hxg6+ Kg8 Rxc3) -14.54/9 0} b3 {(56. .. b3!!) +15.29/1 2} 56. Ra1 {(Ra1 b2 Rxa2 b1=Q Rxa5 Rxa5 gxh6 c2 Ne2 gxh6 h5) -18.32/11 1} b2 {(57. .. b2!! 57. g6+ fxg6 58. Rxa2 Bb6+ 59. Kg2 b1=q 60. Rf2! Re5+ 61. Kh3 Bxf2) +23.40/1 2} 57. Rxa2 {(Rxa2 b1=Q Rxa5 Rxa5 gxh6 c2 Ne2 gxh6 h5 Ra3 Nc1) -19.52/11 1} b1=Q {(58. .. b1=q) +21.65/1 2} 58. g6+ {(g6+ fxg6 Re2 c2 Rxc2 Qxc2+ Kg1 Be1 Nf1 Bxh4) -20.25/10 0} Qxg6 {(59. .. Qxg6) +M6/1 2} 59. Re2 {(Re2 Rd2 Rxd2 cxd2 h5 Qf6+ Kg1 d1=Q+ Kh2 Kg8) -23.51/10 1} Bb6+ {(60. .. Bb6+ 60. Kg2 Rd3+ 61. Kf1! Rd1+ 62. Re1 Qd3+ 63. Ne2 Qh3#) +M5/1 2} 60. Kg2 {(Kg2 Rd4+ Re4 Bxe4+ Kh3 Rd3 h5 Qxh5#) -M4/10 1} Rd3 {(61. .. Rd3+!! 61. Kf1 Rd1+ 62. Re1 Qd3+ 63. Ne2 Qh3#) +M4/1 1 Weiss gibt auf} 0-1 [/pgn]

[eduherminio]

Following closely Mathieu, please keep posting your findings.

You may want to consider using readonly struct in your experiments, where relevant.

PS:
I ended using the following global aliases for some types to make the code clearer, but they don't prevent one from making the type errors you mention in your blog:

Code: Select all

  <ItemGroup>
    <Using Include="System.Int32" Alias="Move" />
    <Using Include="System.UInt64" Alias="BitBoard" />
  </ItemGroup >
  

[lithander]

I look forward to following your devlog and already enjoyed the blog post.

I like how you tried to replace integers with custom types that are more typesafe. Personally I didn't go all the way as to make a Square type (because here I think using integer values is well justified and not a hack) but for example Move has always been a struct for me. Oftentimes there is another (lighter) alternative to using structs though: For a Piece-type and many other things I define an enum which is basically defines a set of constants that is stored as integer (or byte) behind the scenes.

[mathmoi]

I like how you tried to replace integers with custom types that are more typesafe. Personally I didn't go all the way as to make a Square type (because here I think using integer values is well justified and not a hack)...

I agree that it might be somewhat excessive to create structs for File, Rank, and Square, as I plan to do, but there could be advantages. For example, I will override the ToString method for these types, so that while debugging, the debugger will display 'e2' instead of '12'. This approach could also enable something like looping over squares without going over the edge.

Code: Select all

Square sq = Square.a2;
while(sq.IsValid)
{
   // Do Something interesting with sq
   sq = sq.Right;
}

[Chessqueen]

I was inspired to try and write a chess engine using C# in another thread and decided to give it a go.

I'm not sure how far I'll go, but I also wanted to start a dev log thread here a other have done and share my experience and some eperiments I might do along the way.

I just did a first performance experiment, I tried to test if it would be possible to make a struct wrapper around an integral type to make the code more type safe and more expressive. My very limited test seems to imply it will be possible.

I wrote a post about it on my blog. I will try and write about theses experiments in blog form too as a way to try to become a better writer. As it's probably painfully obvious English is not my first language.

https://www.mathieupage.com/posts/sharper-chess-engine/

My next steps will be to write some bases types and a Board representation.
NOTE: Next match will be Monarch 1.7 Vs Mamoi both rated around 2050

BikJump Vs Matmoi

Rank Engine Score Bi Ma S-B
1 Bikjump 35.5/51 · ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· · 10=01011=11==111==111111111111110111100011011010=0 540.00
2 Matmoi 14.5/51 01=10100=00==000==000000000000001000011100100101=1 · ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· ·· · 540.00


50 of 50 games played

Tournament start: 2023.11.10, 06:28:46
Latest update: 2023.11.15, 16:24:07
Site/ Country: DESKTOP-4QNC0GS, United States
Level: 10 Seconds
Hardware: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770 CPU @ 3.40GHz with 15.9 GB Memory
Operating system: Windows 10 Home Home Edition (Build 9200) 64 bit
PGN-File: Stockfish14 Vs Berserk12.pgn
Table created with: Arena 3

[Chessqueen]

These 2 engine will kill each other before they reach 50 games, there will be 2 funerals soon, but I am learning as I watch them destroy each other

455‑456 Monarch 1.7 2124 +21 −21 50.1% +0.1 18.8% 836
51.7%
457 FrankyGo 1.0.2 64-bit 2123 +19 −19 51.5% −9.8 30.3% 990
53.2%
458 Bodo 0.2b 2122 +21 −22 50.5% −3.8 20.8% 808
54.5%
459 Uragano 3D 0.92 2120 +27 −27 43.7% +46.5 18.0% 533
57.4%
460 Cupcake 1.1c 64-bit 2116 +27 −27 52.6% −16.9 20.4% 529
53.6%
461 Alcibiades 0.3.0 64-bit 2115 +22 −22 47.8% +16.8 18.1% 802
51.7%
462 Honzovy Sachy 2 64-bit 2114 +17 −17 54.6% −34.3 16.7% 1326
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Monarch 1.7 Vs Matmoi

Rank Engine Score Mo Ma S-B
1 Monarch(v1.7) 2.0/4 · ·· ·· 1001? 3.75
2 Matmoi 2.0/4 0110? · ·· ·· 3.75


4 of 50 games played

Tournament start: 2023.11.15, 19:01:59
Latest update: 2023.11.15, 20:49:53
Site/ Country: DESKTOP-4QNC0GS, United States
Level: 10 Seconds
Hardware: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770 CPU @ 3.40GHz with 15.9 GB Memory
Operating system: Windows 10 Home Home Edition (Build 9200) 64 bit
PGN-File: Monarch 1.7 Vs Matmoi.pgn
Table created with: Arena 3.5.

[Steve Maughan]

I'm pleased to see Monarch 1.7 getting some airtime after all these years!

— Steve

[JoAnnP38]

Code: Select all

  <ItemGroup>
    <Using Include="System.Int32" Alias="Move" />
    <Using Include="System.UInt64" Alias="BitBoard" />
  </ItemGroup >
  

I've never seen aliases used like this in the project file. I am going to remember that for my future projects. Thanks for sharing!!

[emadsen]

I was inspired to try and write a chess engine using C# in another thread and decided to give it a go.

Welcome to the chess programming community. Good luck with your engine.

Code: Select all

  <ItemGroup>
    <Using Include="System.Int32" Alias="Move" />
    <Using Include="System.UInt64" Alias="BitBoard" />
  </ItemGroup >
  

That doesn't provide type safety (contrasted with defining an enum or struct, which does). You can pass a Move alias to a method that requires a int parameter and the compiler won't complain.