rcos education

1. PyChess-Learning-Module
By: Jonathan Skurka

2. Recap: What is PyChess?
PyChess is a gtk chess client.
PyChess is 100% python code, from the top of the UI to the
bottom of the chess engine.
All code is licensed under the GNU General Public License.
PyChess was created to provide an advanced chess client
for linux.
The client is usable both to those new to chess, as well as
those who want to use the computer to further enhance their
play.

3. Features
Play against lots of chess engines in both CECP and UCI
formats on many different difficulties.
Supports online play on the FICS servers.
Games can be saved in the PGN, EPD and FEN chess
fileformats for later continuation or analysis.
You can undo or pause the game at any time.
Offers an opening book and so called hint- and spy- arrows,
which shows you what the computer would do in your place,
and what it would do if you opponent could move just now.
PyChess offers a rich while simple interface, with sound,
animation and Human Interface.

4. Pychess + Hint Mode

5. The Learning Center
My goal is to add a widget to PyChess which will allow people
of all ages to learn how to play chess and enhance their skills.
Chess tutor
This will show newcomers how the pieces move and will
teach them the basic rules of the game.
This will also teach more advanced moves such as
castling, en passent, and forking and pinning pieces
Common endgames
This will teach beginners how to win common endgame
situations such as Rook and King vs King
Puzzle database
Contains a multitude of harder puzzles where a deciding
non-obvious move will win you the game.

6. The Learning Center
More advanced features
In-depth Game analysis
Interactive teaching as you play the computer

7. Major Roadblocks
The current structure of PyChess has to major problems:
It is hard to add new UI modules
Threads are everywhere!
The first problem is a thread to the consistent UI. New
windows will open in a way, which makes it hard to say
closing which windows will terminate the app.
This also makes it very difficult to get a good grip at plug-
ins.
The second problem has been around since the start of
PyChess, and has grown more problematic with each
release. About 90% of all PyChess crashes (which often are
also system crashes) are due to this.

8. The Solution
PyChess needs to be refactored into a more modular
structure. A structure that makes it clear where to add UI
modules and where to lock threads.
There is currently a proposal to change the structure of
PyChess:

10. Other Problems and setbacks
Not only does PyChess have very confusing code and flow,
it is also very poorly commented and documented.
This made it extremely difficult to grasp where to start.
Learning the existing code was also very time-
consuming.
No prior experience with PyGtk.
went from a group of 3 to 1.

11. Progress so far...
Starting to make steady progress:
Currently working on the UI for the learning center
I am also implementing the puzzle database, which should
be finished relatively soon.

12. Future plans for PyChess
Because PyChess is so poorly formated (e.g.many threads
leading to nowhere) I am unsure if I will continue to develop
the Learning-Module -at least until a newer, more stable
version is released.
At the very least I want to finish the UI for the learning
center and implement the puzzle database.