Practical overview
When it fits
Use ElephantEye when a Xiangqi host can communicate with UCCI 3.0 and you need an engine to choose moves or analyze positions.
Who it is for
- Xiangqi players using a host program that supports UCCI engines.
- Developers integrating Xiangqi move selection or position analysis into compatible software.
- Programmers studying or adapting a C++ chess engine under the LGPL-2.1 license.
Documented uses
- Request a move for a supplied Xiangqi position and move history.
- Inspect engine search information while analyzing a position.
- Connect an engine to a compatible host through UCCI 3.0.
- Use or replace the engine’s opening book with a BOOK.DAT file.
Requirements & limits
The repository describes ElephantEye as free software available under the LGPL. The engine requires a host program that supports UCCI.
- A UCCI 3.0-compatible host is required; the engine is not documented as a standalone interface.
- The README names Xiangqi Wizard as a host and describes UCCI2QH as an adapter route for another program.
- The documentation says long-chase detection is incomplete, although prohibited moves can be sent through UCCI.
- The README documents adjustable thinking time, hash-table size, evaluation knowledge and randomness.
Check current requirements in the official documentation. Source-based guidance does not mean OpenViST has run or independently tested this project.
Configure ElephantEye as a UCCI engine in Xiangqi Wizard
Use ElephantEye through a compatible UCCI chess program for Xiangqi play or analysis.
Before you start
- ElephantEye engine
- A Xiangqi program that supports UCCI; the README names Xiangqi Wizard as an example.
Steps
Add or select ElephantEye as a UCCI engine in the compatible chess program; the README says engine settings can be configured in Xiangqi Wizard and that its installer includes an ElephantEye version.
Set engine options as needed, such as thinking time, transposition-table size, pruning level, knowledge level, or randomness.
Send UCCI commands to initialize the engine and provide a position, using the documented command forms
ucciandposition {fen | startpos} [moves ].Request analysis or a move with the documented
gocommand; the engine can return information includinginfoandbestmove.
Expected outcome
A compatible UCCI program can communicate with ElephantEye, provide positions, and receive engine analysis or a move response.
Guide limitations
- The README notes that long-check and long-chase handling is limited: complex long-chase situations may not be recognized correctly. It documents
banmovesas a way to forbid moves when needed. - The README does not establish support for specific operating systems.
Replace ElephantEye’s opening book
Use a custom opening book by replacing the engine’s default BOOK.DAT file.
Before you start
- ElephantEye
- The ElephantEye opening-book creation tool
- PGN game records in a folder
Steps
Run the opening-book creation tool.
Select the folder containing the PGN game records.
Save the generated opening book, typically as
BOOK.DAT.Replace
BOOK.DATin the ElephantEye directory with the generated file, or specify the book file in Xiangqi Wizard’s engine settings.
Expected outcome
ElephantEye can use the generated opening-book file in place of its default book.
Guide limitations
- The README says larger collections of game records generally produce larger opening-book files.
- The default book is described as containing moves for 10,000 symmetrical positions.
Sources & review
Source record details
- Source availability
- Active
- Sources checked
- 7 October 2026
- Original website title
- xqbase/eleeye · Official homepage title · retained in its source language