Hosted by Darius, creator of chessengeria.eu February 2023.
„(…) chess engines and programs are an indispensable tool for anyone who wants to improve their chess skills, become a better player or discover the beauty of chess.”.
Artificial intelligence is an increasingly popular topic among computer chess enthusiasts.
What is it like to talk to artificial intelligence? Does it have at least some understanding of chess engines and programs? It turns out that ChatGPT is a very interesting and engaging conversationalist.
I didn't just check out how a chatbot from OpenAI works. I interviewed him. Here is the entire transcript.
The following interview has not undergone any editing or text changes.
1. Darius:
Hi.
ChatGPT:
Hello! How can I help you today?
2. Darius:
My name is Darius, and I am the creator and maintainer of the blog Chessengeria.eu.
ChatGPT:
Hi Darius! Nice to meet you. How can I assist you today with regards to your blog chessengeria.eu ?
3. Darius:
On my blog I write about topics related to chess engines and chess programs. I would like to interview you. What do you think about it ?
ChatGPT:
As a language model AI developed by OpenAI, I don't have personal opinions or beliefs, but I'm happy to answer any questions you have about AI and its related topics. Please feel free to ask me anything!
4. Darius:
Perfect! At the beginning of our conversation, I ask you to introduce yourself to my blog readers and tell them about yourself.
Source: OpenAI
ChatGPT:
Certainly! Here is a brief introduction that you can use for your blog:
Hello readers, I am ChatGPT, an advanced language model developed by OpenAI. I have been trained on a massive corpus of text from the internet, allowing me to generate human-like responses to a wide range of questions on a variety of topics. As a result, I can assist with answering questions, generating creative writing, and much more. I'm here to help and I look forward to our conversation!
5. Darius:
How is your computing power compared to a home computer ?
ChatGPT:
As an AI language model developed by OpenAI, my computing power is much greater than that of a typical home computer. I was trained on a massive amount of data and run on a network of powerful GPUs, which allows me to process and generate text much faster and more accurately than a home computer.
The specific hardware and resources used for training and running me are not publicly disclosed by OpenAI, but it is safe to say that I am much more powerful than a typical home computer in terms of both processing power and memory capacity. This allows me to handle complex language tasks and answer a wide range of questions with a high degree of accuracy.
6. Darius:
How are you different from other artificial intelligences ?
ChatGPT:
I am an AI language model developed by OpenAI, and I have been trained on a diverse range of internet text to generate human-like responses to questions and prompts.
There are several other AI systems out there, including other language models, but what sets me apart is the scale of my training data and the state-of-the-art technology that powers me. For example, I was trained on a dataset of over 45 terabytes of text data, which is significantly larger than the training data of many other AI models. This has allowed me to learn a wide range of topics and styles of communication, making me well-equipped to handle a wide range of questions and tasks. Additionally, the underlying technology that powers me, such as the transformer architecture, allows me to generate highly coherent and diverse responses.
7. Darius:
Do you feel superior to Google Search?
ChatGPT:
As an AI language model, I don't have feelings or personal opinions. I'm here to assist with information and answer questions to the best of my ability.
Google Search is a search engine designed to help users find relevant information on the web. While it has a vast amount of information at its disposal, it's designed to return a list of relevant web pages, rather than answer questions or have a conversation like I do.
So, in terms of answering questions and generating human-like responses, I can be seen as a complement to Google Search, rather than a replacement or superior alternative. However, the trade-off is that I may not have access to the same up-to-date information as Google Search, since my training data has a cutoff date of 2021.
8. Darius:
You are very humble. What can you tell me about your creators?
ChatGPT:
I was created by OpenAI, a leading research organization dedicated to creating and promoting friendly AI that benefits humanity. OpenAI was founded in 2015 by a group of individuals including Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Greg Brockman, Ilya Sutskever, and Wojciech Zaremba, with the goal of ensuring that AI develops in a way that is safe and beneficial for humanity.
Since its founding, OpenAI has made significant contributions to the field of AI, including developing advanced language models like me and conducting cutting-edge research in areas such as reinforcement learning and generative models.
OpenAI's mission is to ensure that artificial general intelligence (AGI) has a positive impact on the world. To this end, the organization has committed to making its research and technology widely available and accessible to others, with the aim of fostering collaboration and innovation in the field.
9. Darius:
Is artificial intelligence a threat to humanity?
ChatGPT:
Artificial intelligence has the potential to bring significant benefits to society, but it also poses some risks and challenges that need to be carefully managed.
On the one hand, AI has the potential to automate many tasks and improve many aspects of our lives, such as healthcare, education, and transportation. For example, AI can help diagnose diseases more accurately, provide personalized learning experiences, and reduce the number of traffic accidents.
On the other hand, there are also concerns about the impact of AI on employment and privacy, as well as the possibility of AI being used for malicious purposes, such as cyberattacks or the development of autonomous weapons.
It's important to recognize that AI is not inherently good or bad, but rather a tool that can be used for a variety of purposes. The key to ensuring that AI has a positive impact on society is to develop and use it responsibly, with a clear understanding of its capabilities and limitations, and with appropriate safeguards in place to minimize its risks.
This is why organizations like OpenAI are working to advance the field of AI in a responsible and ethical manner, and why it's important for society as a whole to have a conversation about the best way to develop and use AI for the benefit of humanity.
10. Darius:
As you may know, chess engine lovers are people who can play chess. Can you also play chess ?
ChatGPT:
Yes, as an AI model I am able to answer questions about chess and its rules. Unfortunately, I am not able to physically play chess, as I am only a language model and do not have perception or movement abilities. However, I can answer questions about strategy, chess history and many other aspects of this popular game.
11. Darius:
What could you tell readers of the Chess Engine blog about your passion ?
ChatGPT:
Chess engines are powerful tools that can help you develop a passion for chess. They allow you to better understand and analyze chess positions, which can lead to more informed and thoughtful decisions during the game.
Chess engines also allow players to compete against very difficult opponents, which can be a valuable experience and a motivating challenge for beginners and advanced players.
In addition to this, integrating chess engines with chess game software, such as ChessBase or Chess Assistant, allows you to manage your games and chess game library more easily and conveniently, which can further help you develop a passion for chess.
In conclusion, chess engines are valuable tools for players who want to develop their passion for chess. They can help you improve your game, understand chess positions and manage your games and chess game library.
Chess engines and programs are an indispensable tool for anyone who wants to improve their chess skills, become a better player or discover the beauty of chess.
12. Darius:
What interesting things do you think have happened in the world of chess engines and chess programs in recent years ?
ChatGPT:
In recent years, there have been several exciting developments in the world of chess engines and programs. Some of the most notable include:
AlphaZero: In 2017, Google DeepMind developed a new AI system called AlphaZero, which quickly became one of the strongest chess engines in the world after only a few hours of training. AlphaZero's approach to chess is unique compared to traditional chess engines, as it uses a combination of deep neural networks and Monte Carlo tree search, rather than relying solely on hand-crafted rules and pre-existing knowledge.
Stockfish: Stockfish is an open-source chess engine that is widely used by chess enthusiasts and professionals. In recent years, Stockfish has continued to improve and is now one of the strongest chess engines available, frequently competing and defeating other top engines in tournament play.
Neural network-based engines: In recent years, there has been a trend towards using deep neural networks in chess engines to enhance their ability to evaluate positions and make decisions. These neural network-based engines have shown promising results, and they are likely to become increasingly common in the future.
Human-computer partnerships: Another exciting development is the increasing use of human-computer partnerships in high-level chess play. This involves a human player working together with a computer program to make moves, taking advantage of the strengths of both. These partnerships have achieved impressive results in recent years, demonstrating the potential for humans and computers to work together in new and innovative ways.
Overall, the world of chess engines and programs is constantly evolving, and these developments are just a few examples of the exciting advancements happening in the field.
13. Darius:
To what extent can artificial intelligence influence the development of chess engines ?
ChatGPT:
Artificial intelligence is currently one of the most important factors influencing the development of chess engines. Thanks to increasing computing power and advances in machine learning, artificial intelligence is making it possible to create increasingly sophisticated and effective chess engines.
For example, AI-based chess engines such as AlphaZero and Leela Chess Zero use machine learning to learn and improve their game using data from millions of chess games. In this way, these engines are able to adapt to different playing styles and create more effective strategies.
In addition to this, artificial intelligence can automate the process of analyzing and evaluating chess positions, allowing for faster and more accurate results. This, in turn, can allow players to better understand their games and make better strategic decisions.
In any case, it is clear that artificial intelligence is having a key impact on the development of chess engines and is an important factor in helping them become increasingly sophisticated and effective tools for chess players.
14. Darius:
How will the world of computer chess change in 10 and in 100 years ?
ChatGPT:
It's difficult to predict exactly how the world of computer chess will change in the next 10 or 100 years, as it will depend on many factors, including advances in technology and changes in the broader landscape of artificial intelligence and machine learning. However, here are a few possibilities:
In the next 10 years:
It is likely that computer chess engines will continue to become even stronger and more sophisticated, incorporating new techniques from the field of AI and machine learning to enhance their decision-making capabilities.
We may see increased use of human-computer partnerships in high-level chess play, as well as the development of new and innovative ways for humans and computers to work together.
There may also be a growing interest in using computer chess programs for educational and training purposes, as a tool for helping people learn and improve their chess skills.
In the next 100 years:
The advances in AI and machine learning over the next 100 years will likely lead to the development of chess engines that are much more powerful and capable than those of today.
It's possible that we may see the emergence of truly autonomous chess-playing systems, with little or no human input.
The use of computer chess programs for educational and training purposes may become even more widespread and sophisticated, and we may see the development of new and innovative learning technologies specifically designed for chess.
There may also be an increased focus on using computer chess programs to drive scientific and technological advancements in areas such as machine learning, decision making, and artificial intelligence.
These are just a few of the many possibilities for the future of computer chess. It's an exciting time to be a part of this field, and it will be interesting to see how it evolves over the next 10 and 100 years.
15. Darius:
What free open source chess engine has been the most successful? What are these successes and when did they occur? Who is its author?
ChatGPT:
One of the most successful open source chess engines is Stockfish. Stockfish was first released in 2008 and has since become one of the strongest and most widely used chess engines in the world.
Stockfish has achieved many notable successes, including:
Winning multiple computer chess championships: Stockfish has won several editions of the prestigious TCEC (Top Chess Engine Championship), a computer chess tournament that runs annually.
Being among the top engines in rating lists: Stockfish consistently ranks among the top engines in various rating lists, including the CCRL (Computer Chess Rating Lists) and the CEGT (Chess Engine Grand Tournament).
Being used by top players for analysis: Many of the world's strongest chess players use Stockfish for analysis and preparation, due to its strength and accuracy.
The author of Stockfish is Tord Romstad, a Norwegian programmer and chess player who started the project as an attempt to create a strong and open source chess engine. Since then, Stockfish has been developed and maintained by a large and dedicated community of contributors, who continue to work on improving its performance and features.
Overall, Stockfish is a highly successful and widely used open source chess engine that has made a significant impact on the world of computer chess and beyond.
16. Darius:
List the names of the chess engines that you think have made the greatest mark in the history of computer chess. Justify your choice.
ChatGPT:
The following chess engines have made the greatest mark in the history of computer chess:
Deep Blue - the first computer to defeat world champion Garry Kasparov in a full duel match. This was a historic moment in the development of computer chess and showed the progress that had been made in this field.
Stockfish - currently one of the best and most powerful chess engines in the world. It is used by many players and is often considered a benchmark in the field of computer chess.
Dragon by Komodo Chess - considered one of the best chess engines in the world, known for its good game quality and strong strategy
Shredder - a chess engine that won many chess tournaments and was considered one of the best in the world.
Junior: This is a chess engine that has gained recognition for its innovative and novel game strategy.
Crafty: This is another chess engine that has gained recognition for its efficiency and high quality of play.
Fritz - one of the first chess engines, which ushered in the era of computer chess programs and has been updated and improved many times over the years
And the last on this list but the youngest chess engine - Lc0 (Leela Chess Zero) is a neural network-based chess engine that stands out for its unique architecture and learning method. Lc0 is an open-source project and is often considered one of the most important developments in artificial intelligence in chess. Lc0 has the distinction of being one of the first chess engines to learn the game based on millions of chess games played by humans. As a result, the engine has a more human-like playing style that is difficult for other chess engines to detect and predict.Lc0 has gained wide popularity in the chess world, both among players and coaches, for its high scores in chess tournaments and exceptional performance. In 2018, Lc0 won a gold medal in the TCEC chess tournament, an important milestone in the development of this engine. In recent years, Lc0 has continued its successes, winning many awards and prizes, which testifies to its strong reputation in the world of computer chess. Many believe that Lc0 is one of the best chess engines available on the market today and its impact on the world of computer chess cannot be overstated.
The selection of these engines is based on their impact on the development of computer chess, their success and popularity among players, and their importance to the computer chess industry.
17. Darius:
Hikaru Nakamura is one of the strongest chess players who occasionally plays against chess engines and bots. If this man played against Stockfish a match consisting of 100 games, what outcome do you predict and why ?
ChatGPT:
Hikaru Nakamura is a very strong chess player, but he would likely not be able to beat Stockfish in a 100-game match. Stockfish is considered one of the strongest chess engines in the world and is known for its exceptional playing strength and computational power.
In a 100-game match, it is likely that Stockfish would win the majority of the games, with a few draws and possibly a win for Nakamura. However, the exact outcome would depend on various factors such as Nakamura's current form, Stockfish's configuration and hardware, and the time control for the games.
It is important to note that chess engines have a significant advantage over human players as they can analyze millions of positions per second and make near-perfect moves. While Nakamura is a highly skilled player, it would be challenging for him to overcome the superior computational power of Stockfish in a long match.
18. Darius:
Will people ever be able to beat the chess engine ?
ChatGPT:
It's difficult to say for certain whether humans will ever be able to consistently beat chess engines. While humans have certain advantages, such as creativity and the ability to understand complex strategies, chess engines have their own strengths, such as the ability to analyze a vast number of possibilities very quickly and accurately.
At the current state of technology, chess engines are generally much stronger than the average human player and are capable of defeating even the strongest human players. However, some of the best human players are still able to compete at a high level against chess engines by utilizing their own unique strengths, such as experience, creativity, and the ability to understand complex strategic concepts.
It is possible that in the future, the gap between human and machine performance in chess may narrow as human players continue to improve and find new ways to compete. However, it is also possible that chess engines will continue to advance and maintain their superiority. Ultimately, it may come down to a race between the two, with each side striving to improve and stay ahead of the other.
19. Darius:
Can chess engines such as Hiarcs, for example, which use Hand Craft Eval, when they start using a neural network then they may lose their unusual "human" style of chess playing ?
ChatGPT:
Yes, chess engines such as Hiarcs, which use hand-constructed position evaluation (Hand Craft Eval), can lose their unique "human" playing style if they start using a neural network.
Neural networks learned from large chess data sets are able to learn and improve their game, but their style of play tends to be more abstract and less like that of a human.
Hand Craft Eval, on the other hand, allows for more precise definition and control of chessboard position evaluation, which can lead to a more "human" style of play. However, chess engines based on Hand Craft Eval are less effective than those based on neural networks because they depend on the player's accuracy and knowledge in constructing rules and values for various elements of a chess position.
Therefore, the decision to switch from Hand Craft Eval to a neural network depends on the individual needs and goals of the chess engine and its developers.
20. Darius:
Do chess engines using the so-called Hand Craft Eval still have any chance of being more powerful than chess engines using neural networks ?
ChatGPT:
Hand Craft Eval, or hand-constructed position evaluation, is an approach to developing chess engines in which the player manually determines rules and values for various elements of a chess position, such as figure placement and moves.
Neural network-based chess engines, such as AlphaZero and Leela Chess Zero, use machine learning to learn and improve one's game.
Although manually constructed position evaluation can be effective, neural network-based chess engines usually get better results because they are able to learn and adapt to different playing styles and situations on the chessboard. Therefore, it is difficult to say whether chess engines based on Hand Craft Eval will have more chances to be stronger than chess engines based on neural networks.
Nevertheless, chess engines based on Hand Craft Eval still have their place in the chess world and can be useful for chess players who want to better understand and control the position evaluation process. In any case, the introduction of artificial intelligence into chess engines is sure to have an impact on their development in the future.
21. Darius:
Are you capable of writing a chess engine that plays at Stockfish level or stronger ?
ChatGPT:
As an AI language model, I do not have the ability to write or program chess engines myself. I can provide information and answer questions about chess engines and programming, but I cannot create new software or develop new algorithms.
Writing a strong chess engine like Stockfish requires a deep understanding of chess strategy, game theory, and computer algorithms, as well as a high level of skill in programming and software development. Stockfish is one of the strongest chess engines in the world, and it has taken years of development by a team of experienced programmers to get to its current level of strength. It would likely be a significant challenge for a single person to develop a chess engine that surpasses Stockfish on their own.
22. Darius:
Can you write a very simple chess engine in C language that, for example, will use the UCI protocol ?
ChatGPT:
Yes, I can write a very simple chess engine in the C programming language that uses the UCI (Universal Chess Interface) protocol. Here is an example of what the code for a simple chess engine using the UCI protocol could look like:
This is the first page of a chess engine written by ChatGPT:
This is just a simple example to demonstrate the basic structure of a chess engine using the UCI protocol. A full-featured chess engine would require much more sophisticated algorithms for move generation and search, as well as a number of other features.
... STOP :)
At this point, I stopped writing the program through ChatGPT and continued the interview.
23. Darius:
What are some of the challenges in creating a strong chess engine, both from a technical and computational perspective?
ChatGPT:
Creating a strong chess engine is a challenging task that requires a deep understanding of chess and the ability to implement sophisticated algorithms and data structures. Some of the biggest challenges include optimizing the search process, handling complexity and large amounts of data, and dealing with uncertainty in the game.
24. Darius:
In your opinion, why did plagiarized chess engines such as Houdini 6, which was based on Stockfish, appear ?
ChatGPT:
Plagiarism of chess engines has emerged due to the desire to succeed and gain a competitive advantage in the computer chess industry.
Chess engines are valued and appreciated for their power and quality, so many programmers and manufacturers have tried to copy the success of others, using their source code and technologies without their permission. Such practices are unethical and illegal, but unfortunately they still occur.
As a result, plagiarized chess engines disrupt fair play and take away much of the added value that original chess engines can offer players and the chess community.
25. Darius:
What is your opinion about chess engines so-called clones ?
ChatGPT:
As an AI language model, I don't have personal opinions, but I can provide some information on the topic.
Chess engines that are commonly referred to as "clones" are programs that are based on the same or similar code as another engine, but have been modified or adapted in some way. These modifications can range from simple cosmetic changes to more substantial modifications of the engine's playing style, evaluation function, or search algorithms.
While clones can provide an interesting and unique playing experience, they are often considered to be less reliable or weaker than the original engine. This is because clones often lack the rigorous testing and development that the original engine has gone through, and may contain bugs or other issues that negatively impact their performance.
In the world of chess engines, original engines that have undergone extensive testing and development are generally considered to be more reliable and stronger than clones. However, it's worth noting that some clones can still be competitive and provide a challenging game, especially against human opponents.
Ultimately, the quality and strength of a chess engine, whether it is an original or a clone, will depend on a variety of factors such as the quality of its code, the hardware it is running on, and the skills of the person who programmed it.
26. Darius:
How have chess engines changed the way people play and learn chess, and what do you see as the future of this technology?
ChatGPT:
Chess engines have changed the way people play and learn chess by providing a powerful tool for analyzing and improving one's play. They have also led to a greater understanding of the game and its possibilities, and have pushed the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of artificial intelligence and machine learning.
In the future, it is likely that chess engines will continue to evolve and become even stronger, leading to new and exciting developments in the field.
27. Darius:
What do you think about the capabilities of the most powerful chess engines and chess game libraries/bases software ?
ChatGPT:
Chess engines, such as Dragon by Komodo Chess, Stockfish and others, are very advanced tools for analyzing and evaluating chess positions. They are often used by professional players to get a more in-depth analysis of their games and get better strategic decisions.
Chess game software, such as ChessBase, Chess Assistant and Scid vs. PC, provide convenient and advanced tools for managing a collection of chess games and for analyzing chess positions. They can also allow integration with chess engines for even more advanced analysis.
In any case, for best results, it is important to choose the right tool to suit your needs and level of play.
28. Darius:
As we approach the end of this interview, I would like to return to the past of chess engines for a moment. Do you associate chess program equipped with *ChessGenius engine ?
ChatGPT:
Yes, the ChessGenius engine is a well-known chess program. It is a highly rated chess engine that has been used in a variety of chess software and hardware products. The ChessGenius engine has a strong playing style and is known for its tactical abilities and aggressive play.
The program has been well received by chess players and is considered one of the stronger chess engines available. However, it should be noted that there are many other strong chess engines available, and the relative strength of the ChessGenius engine may vary depending on the specific hardware and software it is running on.
1994, Garry Kasparov loses to Chess Genius, source: Youtube
29. Darius:
I wonder if ChessGenius running on a fast and modern computer using multiple resources would be a viable and serious competitor today to the Dragon by Komodo Chess engine, Stockfish or any other of the world's top chess engines ?
ChatGPT:
As of my knowledge cut off in 2021, ChessGenius running on a fast and modern computer with multiple resources would likely still not be able to compete with the top chess engines such as Dragon by Komodo, Stockfish, and others at the highest levels of play.
The top chess engines have continued to improve significantly in recent years and are now far ahead of most other chess programs in terms of strength and playing ability. The ability of these engines to analyze millions of positions per second and find the best move, combined with their deep understanding of chess strategy, makes them formidable opponents.
While ChessGenius has a strong playing style and is known for its tactical abilities, it would likely struggle to compete with the top engines in terms of raw computational power and deep strategic understanding. However, it's still a strong chess engine and could provide a challenging game for many human players, especially at less demanding time controls.
In general, the chess engines that are considered top competitors today have been heavily optimized for performance, taking advantage of the latest hardware and software advancements, and have been developed and trained with deep learning techniques. This makes them much stronger than older engines like ChessGenius, which were developed before these advancements were made.
30. Darius:
What can your knowledge and capabilities in the subject of chess engines and chess software be used for ?
ChatGPT:
My knowledge and capabilities in the subject of chess engines and chess software can be used for a variety of purposes, including:
Improving chess play: As a knowledgeable resource on chess engines and software, I can help people understand the strengths and weaknesses of different engines and software, and how they can be used to improve their own chess play.
Game analysis: I can provide in-depth analysis of chess games, using my knowledge of chess engines and software to evaluate positions and suggest alternative moves.
Education and research: I can provide educational resources and information on the subject of chess engines and software, and assist in research projects related to artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the game of chess.
Developing chess software: I can offer guidance and support to those interested in developing their own chess software or engines, including information on algorithms, data structures, and programming techniques.
Chess competitions and tournaments: I can provide information and analysis on the performance of chess engines in various competitions and tournaments, and help to understand the factors that contribute to the success of different engines.
Overall, my knowledge and capabilities in the subject of chess engines and chess software can be used to enhance the understanding and enjoyment of the game of chess, and to support research and development in related fields.
31. Darius:
Is there anything you would like to say to Chessengeria's readers at the end of the interview ?
ChatGPT:
As an OpenAI artificial intelligence model, I have no desires or emotions of my own, but I am here to help and answer questions to the best of my ability. I would like to emphasize that artificial intelligence is a tool that can be used for many different purposes, including chess, and that there are many interesting and exciting opportunities for further development of this technology.
I firmly believe that with artificial intelligence we can not only better understand our world, but also improve our lives and the world around us.
I wish all the readers of the Chessengeria.eu blog much success and satisfaction in the game of chess, as well as continuous development of their skills and learning new things about chess engines and chess programs.
32. Darius:
Thanks for the interview!
ChatGPT:
You're welcome and thank you! It was a pleasure to communicate with you. I hope we will meet again soon. I wish you a nice day! :)
NOTE:
Further publication and reproduction of this interview is permitted only with the prior permission of Darius the creator of chessengeria.eu
The condition is that the content is preserved in its entirety and that a link to chessengeria.eu is included.
* "In 1994, during the Intel Grand Prix Cycle in London, Chess Genius 3, operated by Ossi Weiner, won a speed chess game (25-minutes per side) versus Garry Kasparov and drew the second game, knocking Kasparov out of the tournament. This was the first match that Kasparov ever lost to a computer." - Source: CPW
In the Files area you will find free chess engines for download.