Use of Java UCI/WB Chess Engines

[Manfred Rosenboom]

Geschrieben von:/Posted by: Manfred Rosenboom at 31. May 2004 15:17:

Hi,
as a Java programmer I'm especially interested in the available Java chess engines. Problem with this engines is often, to make them run under the different chess GUIs (Arena, ChessBase, WinBoard, ...). E.g. it seems not too easy to run the Java UCI engine Eden under the ChessBase GUI. To make things easier, I wrote a small tool, called jlaunch. Just copy this tool into your Java chess engine's directory and create the Java engine specific jlaunch.properties file. You can now select the jlaunch.exe in your GUI as chess engine and the program will start the Java chess engine. Eden runs now without any problems both in my Arena and Shredder 8 GUI. Same is true for Pyotr under Arena.
For more details see the jlaunch download page.
Best,
Manfred



jlaunch download page

[Slobodan R. Stojanovic]

Geschrieben von:/Posted by: Slobodan R. Stojanovic at 01 June 2004 16:03:47:
Als Antwort auf:/In reply to: Use of Java UCI/WB Chess Engines geschrieben von:/posted by: Manfred Rosenboom at 31. May 2004 15:17:

Could you explain better your instructions ?
Here is an example of a good explanation.
--------------------------------------
How to install Pyotr engine in Arena:
--------------------------------------
In Arena´s Engine Management, Details, General, you put
Name: Pyotr_Amateur 0.6
Author: John Marountas
Command line: C:\WINDOWS\java.exe
Command Line Options: -classpath C:\ChessEngines\Pyotr\Amateur pyotr x
Country: Greece
Type: Winboard
where
C:\WINDOWS\ - is your Windows instalation folder
C:\ChessEngines\Pyotr\Amateur - is your Pyotr engine instalation folder
and that´s all.
Sometimes a couple of lines explains better a topic than an entire web page.
Regards, SL.

Hi,
as a Java programmer I'm especially interested in the available Java chess engines. Problem with this engines is often, to make them run under the different chess GUIs (Arena, ChessBase, WinBoard, ...). E.g. it seems not too easy to run the Java UCI engine Eden under the ChessBase GUI. To make things easier, I wrote a small tool, called jlaunch. Just copy this tool into your Java chess engine's directory and create the Java engine specific jlaunch.properties file. You can now select the jlaunch.exe in your GUI as chess engine and the program will start the Java chess engine. Eden runs now without any problems both in my Arena and Shredder 8 GUI. Same is true for Pyotr under Arena.
For more details see the jlaunch download page.
Best,
Manfred

[Manfred Rosenboom]

Geschrieben von:/Posted by: Manfred Rosenboom at 01. June 2004 18:58:
Als Antwort auf:/In reply to: Re: Use of Java UCI/WB Chess Engines geschrieben von:/posted by: Slobodan R. Stojanovic at 01 June 2004 16:03:47:

Could you explain better your instructions ?
Here is an example of a good explanation.
--------------------------------------
How to install Pyotr engine in Arena:
--------------------------------------
In Arena´s Engine Management, Details, General, you put
Name: Pyotr_Amateur 0.6
Author: John Marountas
Command line: C:\WINDOWS\java.exe
Command Line Options: -classpath C:\ChessEngines\Pyotr\Amateur pyotr x
Country: Greece
Type: Winboard
where
C:\WINDOWS\ - is your Windows instalation folder
C:\ChessEngines\Pyotr\Amateur - is your Pyotr engine instalation folder
and that´s all.
Sometimes a couple of lines explains better a topic than an entire web page.
Regards, SL.

You can now also download preconfigured properties files for different Java chess engines.
Best,
Manfred

[Slobodan R. Stojanovic]

Geschrieben von:/Posted by: Slobodan R. Stojanovic at 01 June 2004 23:29:19:
Als Antwort auf:/In reply to: Re: Use of Java UCI/WB Chess Engines geschrieben von:/posted by: Manfred Rosenboom at 01. June 2004 18:58:

Could you explain better your instructions ?
Here is an example of a good explanation.
--------------------------------------
How to install Pyotr engine in Arena:
--------------------------------------
In Arena´s Engine Management, Details, General, you put
Name: Pyotr_Amateur 0.6
Author: John Marountas
Command line: C:\WINDOWS\java.exe
Command Line Options: -classpath C:\ChessEngines\Pyotr\Amateur pyotr x
Country: Greece
Type: Winboard
where
C:\WINDOWS\ - is your Windows instalation folder
C:\ChessEngines\Pyotr\Amateur - is your Pyotr engine instalation folder
and that´s all.
Sometimes a couple of lines explains better a topic than an entire web page.
Regards, SL.

You can now also download preconfigured properties files for different Java chess engines.
Best,
Manfred

I have tried Eden and Pyotr, your explanation and your preconfigured properties files, but they don´t work. That´s why I asked you whether you could explain better those configurations. And have given you an example of Pyotr engine´s instalation that works.
Regards. SL.

[Pablo Urzua]

Geschrieben von:/Posted by: Pablo Urzua at 01 June 2004 23:59:28:
Als Antwort auf:/In reply to: Re: Use of Java UCI/WB Chess Engines geschrieben von:/posted by: Slobodan R. Stojanovic at 01 June 2004 23:29:19:

Could you explain better your instructions ?
Here is an example of a good explanation.
--------------------------------------
How to install Pyotr engine in Arena:
--------------------------------------
In Arena´s Engine Management, Details, General, you put
Name: Pyotr_Amateur 0.6
Author: John Marountas
Command line: C:\WINDOWS\java.exe
Command Line Options: -classpath C:\ChessEngines\Pyotr\Amateur pyotr x
Country: Greece
Type: Winboard
where
C:\WINDOWS\ - is your Windows instalation folder
C:\ChessEngines\Pyotr\Amateur - is your Pyotr engine instalation folder
and that´s all.
Sometimes a couple of lines explains better a topic than an entire web page.
Regards, SL.

You can now also download preconfigured properties files for different Java chess engines.
Best,
Manfred

I have tried Eden and Pyotr, your explanation and your preconfigured properties files, but they don´t work. That´s why I asked you whether you could explain better those configurations. And have given you an example of Pyotr engine´s instalation that works.
Regards. SL.

Hello Slobodan and Manfred,
I totally agree with Slobodan.
The same happen to me with Tiffanys.Do not work. After opening Winboard chess board using jlaunch.exe, appear two popups saying "cannot load class" and "exception raised in main method" respectively, and then the engine exit from Winboard. I do not have the slightest idea what "class" cannot be load and what I have to do to be able to load the needed "class".
Best,
Pablo
PS: I sent an email to Manfred explaining in detail my configuration and problem, but he had not answered it.

[Manfred Rosenboom]

Geschrieben von:/Posted by: Manfred Rosenboom at 02 June 2004 19:35:57:
Als Antwort auf:/In reply to: Re: Use of Java UCI/WB Chess Engines geschrieben von:/posted by: Pablo Urzua at 01 June 2004 23:59:28:

Hello Slobodan and Manfred,
I totally agree with Slobodan.
The same happen to me with Tiffanys.Do not work. After opening Winboard chess board using jlaunch.exe, appear two popups saying "cannot load class" and "exception raised in main method" respectively, and then the engine exit from Winboard. I do not have the slightest idea what "class" cannot be load and what I have to do to be able to load the
Best,
Pablo
PS: I sent an email to Manfred explaining in detail my configuration and problem, but he had not answered it.

needed "class".

Sorry Pablo,
but I haven't got any email from you. Which email address did you use ?
But maybe I haven't made my point clear enough on my page. When I talk about Java I mean REAL Java (i.e. Sun Java) and not Microsft Java, shipped with Windows. Sun Java is only available for Windows 2000 and higher.
Slobodan: I assume, you have Microsoft Java on your machine. This Java is VERY old and also isn't compatible to Sun Java, so you have no chance to make the program run on your machine.

Pablo: "cannot load class" means, that the Java VM can't find the class file, named in the jlaunch.properties file in the property mainClassName, i.e. either the classpath is wrong or the given class name is wrong.
About Tiffany's I created a folder, named tiffanys-0.2
In this folder I have the following files:
Tiffanys.jar
changelog.txt
jlaunch.exe
jlaunch.properties
readme.txt
xtiff
xtiffd
This is the text in my jlaunch.properties file:
fullJvmPath=C:/j2sdk1.4.2_04/jre/bin/client/jvm.dll
mainClassName=ch.nostromo.tiffanys.Tiffanys
classPath=./Tiffanys.jar
You must edit the property fullJvmPath to your environment, i.e. you have to look, where you install your Sun Java JDK or JRE.
You can also wait some days and try my new version 1.1.0: if the fullJvmPath
property is not set, the program will try to locate the needed jvm.dll itself by querying the Windows registry. This will make things much easier for most of the users
Best,
Manfred

[Slobodan R. Stojanovic]

Geschrieben von:/Posted by: Slobodan R. Stojanovic at 02 June 2004 20:55:42:
Als Antwort auf:/In reply to: Re: Use of Java UCI/WB Chess Engines geschrieben von:/posted by: Manfred Rosenboom at 02 June 2004 19:35:57:

Hello Slobodan and Manfred,
I totally agree with Slobodan.
The same happen to me with Tiffanys.Do not work. After opening Winboard chess board using jlaunch.exe, appear two popups saying "cannot load class" and "exception raised in main method" respectively, and then the engine exit from Winboard. I do not have the slightest idea what "class" cannot be load and what I have to do to be able to load the
Best,
Pablo
PS: I sent an email to Manfred explaining in detail my configuration and problem, but he had not answered it.

needed "class".

Sorry Pablo,
but I haven't got any email from you. Which email address did you use ?
But maybe I haven't made my point clear enough on my page. When I talk about Java I mean REAL Java (i.e. Sun Java) and not Microsft Java, shipped with Windows. Sun Java is only available for Windows 2000 and higher.
Slobodan: I assume, you have Microsoft Java on your machine. This Java is VERY old and also isn't compatible to Sun Java, so you have no chance to make the program run on your machine.

Pablo: "cannot load class" means, that the Java VM can't find the class file, named in the jlaunch.properties file in the property mainClassName, i.e. either the classpath is wrong or the given class name is wrong.
About Tiffany's I created a folder, named tiffanys-0.2
In this folder I have the following files:
Tiffanys.jar
changelog.txt
jlaunch.exe
jlaunch.properties
readme.txt
xtiff
xtiffd
This is the text in my jlaunch.properties file:
fullJvmPath=C:/j2sdk1.4.2_04/jre/bin/client/jvm.dll
mainClassName=ch.nostromo.tiffanys.Tiffanys
classPath=./Tiffanys.jar
You must edit the property fullJvmPath to your environment, i.e. you have to look, where you install your Sun Java JDK or JRE.
You can also wait some days and try my new version 1.1.0: if the fullJvmPath
property is not set, the program will try to locate the needed jvm.dll itself by querying the Windows registry. This will make things much easier for most of the users
Best,
Manfred

Hi Manfred,
you are completely wrong:
I have Windows 98 and I am using Sun Java. Look here
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Binary Code License Agreement
for the
JAVATM 2 RUNTIME ENVIRONMENT (J2RE), STANDARD EDITION, VERSION 1.4.2_X
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
in fact I am using the last version 1.4.2_04
But your configuration didn´t work neither with 1.4.2_01.
Besides, this real Java is necessary to play on-line chess at ChessAnyTime, one og my prefered servers.
Regards. SL.

[Pablo Urzua]

Geschrieben von:/Posted by: Pablo Urzua at 02 June 2004 23:06:42:
Als Antwort auf:/In reply to: Re: Use of Java UCI/WB Chess Engines geschrieben von:/posted by: Slobodan R. Stojanovic at 02 June 2004 20:55:42:

Hello Slobodan and Manfred,
I totally agree with Slobodan.
The same happen to me with Tiffanys.Do not work. After opening Winboard chess board using jlaunch.exe, appear two popups saying "cannot load class" and "exception raised in main method" respectively, and then the engine exit from Winboard. I do not have the slightest idea what "class" cannot be load and what I have to do to be able to load the
Best,
Pablo
PS: I sent an email to Manfred explaining in detail my configuration and problem, but he had not answered it.

needed "class".

Sorry Pablo,
but I haven't got any email from you. Which email address did you use ?
But maybe I haven't made my point clear enough on my page. When I talk about Java I mean REAL Java (i.e. Sun Java) and not Microsft Java, shipped with Windows. Sun Java is only available for Windows 2000 and higher.
Slobodan: I assume, you have Microsoft Java on your machine. This Java is VERY old and also isn't compatible to Sun Java, so you have no chance to make the program run on your machine.

Pablo: "cannot load class" means, that the Java VM can't find the class file, named in the jlaunch.properties file in the property mainClassName, i.e. either the classpath is wrong or the given class name is wrong.
About Tiffany's I created a folder, named tiffanys-0.2
In this folder I have the following files:
Tiffanys.jar
changelog.txt
jlaunch.exe
jlaunch.properties
readme.txt
xtiff
xtiffd
This is the text in my jlaunch.properties file:
fullJvmPath=C:/j2sdk1.4.2_04/jre/bin/client/jvm.dll
mainClassName=ch.nostromo.tiffanys.Tiffanys
classPath=./Tiffanys.jar
You must edit the property fullJvmPath to your environment, i.e. you have to look, where you install your Sun Java JDK or JRE.
You can also wait some days and try my new version 1.1.0: if the fullJvmPath
property is not set, the program will try to locate the needed jvm.dll itself by querying the Windows registry. This will make things much easier for most of the users
Best,
Manfred

Hi Manfred,
you are completely wrong:
I have Windows 98 and I am using Sun Java. Look here
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Binary Code License Agreement
for the
JAVATM 2 RUNTIME ENVIRONMENT (J2RE), STANDARD EDITION, VERSION 1.4.2_X
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
in fact I am using the last version 1.4.2_04
But your configuration didn´t work neither with 1.4.2_01.
Besides, this real Java is necessary to play on-line chess at ChessAnyTime, one og my prefered servers.
Regards. SL.

Hi Manfred:
Thanks for your explanations.
No doubt you did not receive my email with all the details, that I sent to marochess@yahoo.com on May31st.I am sending it again. I have installed in my PC C:\Javasoft/jre/1.3.1_03/bin/hotspot/jvm.dll.
One of the doubts was the sense of the slashes you use for the paths, \ or / ?.
Best,
Pablo