How to make the chess ai engine play against itself: Computer vs computer on chess.com
5The video shows how it works on chess.com but I guess it's pretty much the same on all chess websites.
The trick is to use the Hint function. The computer will make all the decisions, but you must execute half of the moves manually.
1. Go to "Learn", then "Analysis", and "Setup"
2. Click the Trashcan button to clear the board
3. Set up the position
4. Select who is to move.
5. Press “Load”
6. Select “Practice versus computer,” and a new window is created where all the action will take place
7. Click the “Settings” button.
Make sure “Engine lines” is on.
8. Click on the “Hint” button and move the piece accordingly.
This is the chess engine’s most decisive move.
9. The computer will make its move.
You just click the button again and make the next move.
Remember, you can always check the most robust engine lines on the screen.
There are at least three reasons why I do this:
• Firstly, suppose a player resigns. How could the game continue?
• Secondly, how would the engine handle a chess puzzle?
• Thirdly, what would happen if I created an unrealistic setup? Just for fun.
Let’s start with the first example. Here’s a recent game where my opponent resigned. How could the game have continued if we had played on?
I’m playing with the white pieces, and in this position, my opponent resigned. Let’s continue with the engine.
1. Select “Practice versus computer,” and a new window is created.
2. Just click the “Hint” button and move the pieces.
In this case, the resignation was evident. However, many times it’s quite unclear why a player resigns, at least to me. So I use this method to find out what happened on the board, to learn and become a stronger player.
In the second example, I want to see how the engine would solve a puzzle.
1. Go to "Learn," then "Analysis," and "Setup."
2. Click the Trashcan button to clear the board
3. Set up the position
4. Select who is to move. In this case, it’s white.
5. Press “Load”
6. Select “Practice versus computer”
7. Look at the engine lines or click the “Hint” button.
8. Let the computer make a move and repeat.
In the final example, let’s create a crazy setup
1. Go to "Learn," then "Analysis," and "Setup."
2. Clear the board
3. Set up the position
4. Select who is to move and press “Load.”
5. Select “Practice versus computer”
6. Look at the engine lines or click the “Hint” button.
7. Let the computer make a move and repeat.
Let me end by playing a 1 minute game against a random opponent, just for fun.
Chess is fun! I hope you enjoyed this video on how I make the engine play against itself on chess.com. Don’t forget to subscribe to this YouTube channel please.
All the Very Best and good luck with your chess!