CODEWITHSUNDEEP
javachess
user3193535
user3193535

Reputation: 63

Most efficient method to represent chessboard

I have a chess program written in Java. Currently I am using a 2d char array to represent the chessboard. Upper case characters to represent white and lower case to represent black. Should I use an array of bytes to reduce the memory usage? Or maybe enums? Thank you.

Upvotes: 6

Views: 2836

Answers (1)

xXliolauXx
xXliolauXx

Reputation: 1313

In short: The most efficient and professional way is to use Bitboards.

Basically, there are 3 ways of representing a chessboard that are often used:

  • 8x8 2-dimensional array: Slow but easy to maintain

  • 10x12 1-dimensional array: Faster, a little bit trickier

  • Bitboards: They are the fastest method, also used in professional engines like Stockfish or Rybka. Basically, you need a 64-Bit uint for every figure type, where every bit stands for a single field. For more information, i recommend the chessprogramming wiki or google=>bitboards.

Upvotes: 7

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