GUIDE FOR USING CUSTOM-TRAINED UCI ENGINE
Install dependencies on the machine running the engine: pip install torch python-chess
Extract this zip file, ensuring the following 2 files are in the SAME directory:
- chess_model.pt
- uci_engine.py
Add the engine to any GUI software supporting external UCI engines, such as:
- Arena Chess GUI
- BanksiaGUI
- CuteChess
- Lucas Chess
- En Croissant
In the "Add Engine" / "Install Engine" section, point to the execution command:
python /path/to/uci_engine.py
(or python3, depending on your operating system)
- Playing as a Lichess Bot (official method, allows custom engines):
- Register a dedicated Lichess account and upgrade it to a BOT account (see guide at: https://lichess.org/api#tag/Bot)
- Use the "lichess-bot" repo (by lichess), pointing the engine path to uci_engine.py
- The engine will automatically play against other bots on Lichess—matching the goal of "having it play against other bots like Stockfish does".
IMPORTANT FAIR PLAY NOTE:
- Chess.com and Lichess DO NOT allow external engine usage in RATED GAMES against HUMAN PLAYERS. Violations will result in account bans.
- Allowed use cases: offline practice/analysis (Play vs Computer / local GUI), or using an official BOT account to play against other bots.
ENGINE PERFORMANCE:
- This is a small CNN model trained on a small dataset (random vs Stockfish
- evaluated at 0.1s/move). Its playing strength is roughly equivalent to ~1000-1200 ELO,
- and it is not as strong as full Stockfish. To make it stronger: generate more data,
- increase Stockfish think time during data generation, increase epoch counts/network channels,
- or integrate deeper search algorithms.