Greetings players,
Today's update brings a significant enhancement to how external chess engines are handled within the game. While the ability to import UCI-compatible engines has been available in previous versions, this update introduces a comprehensive UCI Engine Profile Manager. You now have the tools to configure, save, and manage specific internal settings for each of your imported engines.
Here is a detailed overview of the new features:
⚙️ Creating Custom UCI Profiles (Advanced)
For users who wish to tweak an engine's internal parameters, the new Profile Manager provides full access to the engine's supported UCI options.
How it works: Open the Add/Manage engines menu, select an imported engine from the list, and click Configure. The game will automatically read the engine's supported parameters. Adjust the settings to your preference, and click Save and close.
You can create and save multiple profiles for the same engine (e.g., configuring one for maximum analytical strength and another for a specific playstyle).
📁 Profile Storage & Sharing (For Power Users)
All your customized engine profiles are saved locally as a standard, human-readable JSON file.
File format: engine_profiles.json
Location (Windows): %AppData%\\LocalLow\\ Pupugames\\Just Chess\\engine_profiles.json
🛠️ Importing Engines (Quick Start)
Importing a new engine remains a straightforward process. Please note that creating a custom profile is entirely optional; engines will run perfectly on their default settings if left unconfigured.
Navigate to the UCI game mode from the main menu.
Select either Engine vs. Engine or Play vs. Computer.
Click on Add/Manage engines, then select New engine.
Browse for your downloaded chess engine's executable (.exe) file and select it (or double-click the file).
Click Close when you are done adding engines. You can now select the imported engine from the dropdown menu, adjust the Level slider, and start your match.
⚔️ Engine vs. Engine (EvE) Mode
The Engine vs. Engine mode has been refined for a smoother experience. You can now assign two completely different engine profiles to play as White and Black.
⚠️ Developer's Note on Custom Engine Settings
Due to the open-source nature of the UCI protocol, there is a vast variety of chess engines available, each with unique parameters. As a solo developer, exhaustive testing of every existing engine and setting combination is not feasible.
Please be advised regarding other advanced settings found within the profile configurator:
Improper configuration can lead to engine crashes or unforeseen issues.
Adjust these settings at your own risk. Official support is not provided for custom engine configurations.
Important: The game currently supports only Standard Chess. If your engine features a "UCI_Chess960" toggle, please leave it disabled.
I have tried to test and fix any potential bugs, but if anything comes up, you can report it on the Steam forum.