C44 (bots)

Here is the news :)

C44 (Chess for four) is a chess variant with 4 players.

The current state of the project is:

  • There is a average bot that nows how to take pieces and mate. (NotSoWeakBot)
    (Your bot must be stronger than this bot to be accepted to the project.)...
  • There is a (Open Source) Server/engine + 2 example bots:
    • The bots are Unlicensed (So you can make money with it without us knowing ;).
    • The server calculates the board (and check(/mate)) and is the hub between the bots/human player(s)).
      • The server is licenced under the Apache Licence.
      • The communication between bots and the engine is finalized and documented.
        • There is a documented API to communicate with the engine.
          (See further below...)
        • You can write a (non-Java (or even other-Java)) (or interface in your preferred language)
          to communicate with the engine: The bots will continue to communicate with the engine
          according to this api.
    • NotSoWeakBot (your opponent) can take pieces and mate. (And that's about it...)
      • It's the repaired OurBot.
      • The bot you will be making needs to defeat this bot 7 times.
      • You are allowed to take the sources of this bot and improve it, this will be your possession
        (and achievement).
    • ((Y)our)Bot can "produce moves" -> It makes moves but very questionable:
      • Because of legacy reasons OurBot got broken.
      • We didn't broke the bot on purpose, we just didn't fix it (we fixed it and called it NotSoWeakBot...).
  • All of this can be downloaded free of charge so you don't need to spend a dime to write your own bot...
  • We have some testers at the moment of writing (Windows and Linux ones).
  • At the time of writing I'm the only developer on the project.

Also:

  • We have a Stack Overflow team
  • We use Linear for bug-tracking.
    • You can get an account on both (also free of charge).
  • We use IRC to communicate (Yes, I'm old :D).
  • So you'll be quickly be surrounded by nice people if you'd want to :).

So, if you want to help out:
  • You can write your own bot.
  • You could become member of the core team...
  • If you know how to help out any other way, contact us.

This is the releases page.

The initial code is Java but we're open to any language expertise (we even don't mind "seeing C#" :)

The server uses a documented rest interface.

So if Java is your cup of tea you have a head start;

For any other language you'd be the pioneer (at the time of writing).
(It would consist of rewriting the YourBot or NotSoWeakBot in the language of your choice;
In the future the bots will run in a DMZ (once life) so writing authentication wouldn't be needed...)

In any case: Heartily Welcome!!! :)
(And we hope you'll enjoy the project as much as we do :D)

S. (And Team).