Mark Uniacke answers the 10 for 10 questions!

1. If you had to pick one moment in the last 20 years of Computer Chess, which would be the most significant?

For me it would have to be the Kasparov-Deep Blue 2 match. Firstly because I had the privilege of helping Kasparov prepare with HIARCS 6, but more importantly because his unfortunate eventual loss of the match had such an impact on the public and private perceptions of computer chess. At that moment my interest in the subject waned, until it was rekindled many years later.

2. Technology is constantly evolving. Where and on what devices do you see your programs or the projects you are involved with entertaining people in the next 5 years? 10 years?

I can see the immense growth of mobile platforms will become so important to the future of commercial chess software. A growth of new innovative ideas in chess software features is long overdue; maybe in my own small way I can help further that area.

3. Most of the readers of this article know who most of you are. For those that are being introduced to you for the first time, could you give them a small introduction as to who you are, and how you became involved in Computer Chess?

As a youngster I was a strong chess player and by coincidence I went to one of the first schools in Hertfordshire, England to have Computer Studies as an O level subject (it was the late 1970s). Of course to me it seemed natural to combine the two interests and I got involved in writing chess software and HIARCS became my projects for O, A level at aged 16 and 18 and at Degree level. It won its first world title in 1991 and the first commercial version was in 1992. Everything was developed on a spare time basis until 2003 when I decide to spend more time on it.

4. The gap between commercial products and free products is closing quickly in strength and quality. If you were to design a completely new chess product, whether that be a chess engine or an interface, would you release it to the masses free of charge or would there be a fee attached to it? For the record, my project would have a fee attached to it.

Since I earn my living from computer chess I think I would need to charge a fee.

5. Everyone including myself are wondering what you all have been doing lately? Anything new on the horizon that we can look forward to from your programs or test suites?

I have of course been developing HIARCS on many platforms but I have also been involved in a couple of related chess projects. Unfortunately I cannot say much about these projects at the moment but they will probably benefit HIARCS and the wider chess community in the longer term.

6. Chess enthusiasts are constantly comparing computer programs to a human Grandmaster. Which player do you think your program plays like? And was it by design?

I would love HIARCS to play in the style of many great chess players like Tal, Bronstein, Kasparov and Fischer. In reality HIARCS plays in the style of HIARCS which is thankfully a very unique and interesting attacking playing style if a little unorthodox at times.

7. What role do you see tournaments like CCT or the ACCA events playing in the future of our sport?

These events are very important because they allow people to get together (virtually) to test their chess programs in a competitive environment with other like minded authors. This is particularly important in helping the growth of grass roots computer chess since the costs of entering are very low and hence not prohibitive like some physical tournaments. Us chess programmers owe you (and others) a big thank you!

8. You all knew this question was coming, so let’s get it out of the way.
There is great debate over what the engines being released as a result of the Ippolit code actually are; do you believe them to be “derivatives” or “clones”?

After Ippolit there is inevitably going to be many clones and derivatives just like after Fruit there were clones and derivatives, except now it’s even more so. Sadly many people will be taken in and think these programs are genuine – it can be difficult to prove a derivative beyond all doubt especially if the “author” has obfuscated the implementation. I have been closely involved in computer chess for more than 20 years and in all that time I have never known a genuine chess engine to just emerge at the professional level at its first release (by that author), it does not mean it cannot happen but it is very unlikely, but now it’s happening all the time. Sadly I can only see the problem getting worse, and eventually (already?) most chess engines will be clones or derivatives there of. Why? Because it is incredibly easier to clone and derive than to write your own chess engine. It takes many thousands of hours of hard work and testing to produce an original top level chess program, so it should come as no surprise that there are those who prefer to avoid this work by stealing the work of others.

9. Many chess programs now have teams of people involved in the process of creating, improving, and implementing new ideas. If you could choose 5 people as a team to be involved in a completely new chess project, who would they be?

Ignoring everyone in the HIARCS team (including myself) as clearly I would want them in my team! I would choose Ken Thompson, David Levy, Tord Romstad, Bob Hyatt and Vishy Anand.

10. If you could take back all the time that you have invested in to Computer Chess, would you? If so, what do you think you would have done with that time?

I would have to think about it seriously, the easy answer is no then I don’t have to answer your question! I love chess so there in lays your answer.