Chess front end
A chess front end , chess interface or chess GUI is an independent computer program that usually displays the chess pieces graphically on the monitor, registers move entries and checks them for validity. The actual chess program - the so-called engine - is also a separate program which, as a backend, is responsible for calculating the moves and evaluating the chess positions. Both sides communicate with each other via a chess communication protocol , two of which are currently widely used: the open Chess Engine Communication Protocol (CECP) and the newer Universal Chess Interface (UCI). The clear separation between chess interface and engine enables games to be played between different chess engines, as well as connections via the Internet (with the help of a chess server ) or via the local network in order to play with remote opponents.
The positions and games are saved in the open format Portable Game Notation (PGN) or in proprietary formats.
The move is usually entered with the mouse. Alternatively, special chess hardware (e.g. DGT-PC chess board) can be used. However, you can usually only enter the moves with it and the board of the graphical user interface is still required. This must not be confused with chess computers that are specially built for playing chess and usually have a chess program built into them as firmware .