feat: soft/hard time limit

achieved by refactoring engine/main/stdin into three separate threads.

src/coordination.rs

@@ -0,0 +1,191 @@
+/*
+
+This file is part of chess_inator.
+chess_inator is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation; either version 3 of the License, or (at your option) any later version.
+
+chess_inator is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License along with chess_inator. If not, see https://www.gnu.org/licenses/.
+
+Copyright © 2024 dogeystamp <dogeystamp@disroot.org>
+*/
+
+//! Threading, state, and flow of information management.
+//!
+//! This file contains types and helper utilities; see main for actual implementation.
+
+use crate::prelude::*;
+
+/// State machine states.
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug)]
+pub enum UCIMode {
+    /// It is engine's turn; engine is thinking about a move.
+    Think,
+    /// It is the opponent's turn; engine is thinking about a move.
+    Ponder,
+    /// The engine is not doing anything.
+    Idle,
+}
+
+/// State machine transitions.
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug)]
+pub enum UCIModeTransition {
+    /// Engine produces a best move result. Thinking to Idle.
+    Bestmove,
+    /// Engine is stopped via a UCI `stop` command. Thinking/Ponder to Idle.
+    Stop,
+    /// Engine is asked for a best move through a UCI `go`. Idle -> Thinking.
+    Go,
+    /// Engine starts pondering on the opponent's time. Idle -> Ponder.
+    GoPonder,
+    /// While engine ponders, the opponent plays a different move than expected. Ponder -> Thinking
+    ///
+    /// In UCI, this means that a new `position` command is sent.
+    PonderMiss,
+    /// While engine ponders, the opponent plays the expected move (`ponderhit`). Ponder -> Thinking
+    PonderHit,
+}
+
+impl UCIModeTransition {
+    /// The state that a transition goes to.
+    const fn dest_mode(&self) -> UCIMode {
+        use UCIMode::*;
+        use UCIModeTransition::*;
+        match self {
+            Bestmove => Idle,
+            Stop => Idle,
+            Go => Think,
+            GoPonder => Ponder,
+            PonderMiss => Think,
+            PonderHit => Think,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// State machine for engine's UCI modes.
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct UCIModeMachine {
+    pub mode: UCIMode,
+}
+
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub struct InvalidTransitionError {
+    /// Original state.
+    pub from: UCIMode,
+    /// Desired destination state.
+    pub to: UCIMode,
+}
+
+impl Default for UCIModeMachine {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        UCIModeMachine {
+            mode: UCIMode::Idle,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl UCIModeMachine {
+    /// Change state (checked to prevent invalid transitions.)
+    pub fn transition(&mut self, t: UCIModeTransition) -> Result<(), InvalidTransitionError> {
+        macro_rules! illegal {
+            () => {
+                return Err(InvalidTransitionError {
+                    from: self.mode,
+                    to: t.dest_mode(),
+                })
+            };
+        }
+        macro_rules! legal {
+            () => {{
+                self.mode = t.dest_mode();
+                return Ok(());
+            }};
+        }
+
+        use UCIModeTransition::*;
+
+        match t {
+            Bestmove => match self.mode {
+                UCIMode::Think => legal!(),
+                _ => illegal!(),
+            },
+            Stop => match self.mode {
+                UCIMode::Ponder | UCIMode::Think => legal!(),
+                _ => illegal!(),
+            },
+            Go | GoPonder => match self.mode {
+                UCIMode::Idle => legal!(),
+                _ => illegal!(),
+            },
+            PonderMiss => match self.mode {
+                UCIMode::Ponder => legal!(),
+                _ => illegal!(),
+            },
+            PonderHit => match self.mode {
+                UCIMode::Ponder => legal!(),
+                _ => illegal!(),
+            },
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod test_state_machine {
+    use super::*;
+
+    /// Non-exhaustive test of state machine.
+    #[test]
+    fn test_transitions() {
+        let mut machine = UCIModeMachine {
+            mode: UCIMode::Idle,
+        };
+        assert!(matches!(machine.transition(UCIModeTransition::Go), Ok(())));
+        assert!(matches!(machine.mode, UCIMode::Think));
+        assert!(matches!(
+            machine.transition(UCIModeTransition::Stop),
+            Ok(())
+        ));
+        assert!(matches!(machine.mode, UCIMode::Idle));
+        assert!(matches!(machine.transition(UCIModeTransition::Go), Ok(())));
+        assert!(matches!(
+            machine.transition(UCIModeTransition::Bestmove),
+            Ok(())
+        ));
+        assert!(matches!(machine.mode, UCIMode::Idle));
+        assert!(matches!(
+            machine.transition(UCIModeTransition::Bestmove),
+            Err(_)
+        ));
+    }
+}
+
+/// Message (engine->main) to communicate the best move.
+pub struct MsgBestmove {
+    /// Best line (reversed stack; last element is best current move)
+    pub pv: Vec<Move>,
+    /// Evaluation of the position
+    pub eval: SearchEval,
+}
+
+/// Interface messages that may be received by main's channel.
+pub enum MsgToMain {
+    StdinLine(String),
+    Bestmove(MsgBestmove),
+}
+
+pub struct GoMessage {
+    pub board: Board,
+    pub config: SearchConfig,
+    pub time_lims: TimeLimits,
+}
+
+/// Main -> Engine thread channel message.
+pub enum MsgToEngine {
+    /// `go` command. Also sends board position and engine configuration to avoid state
+    /// synchronization issues (i.e. avoid sending position after a go command, and not before).
+    Go(Box<GoMessage>),
+    /// Hard stop command. Halt search immediately.
+    Stop,
+    /// Ask the engine to wipe its state (notably transposition table).
+    NewGame,
+}

src/lib.rs

@@ -17,6 +17,7 @@ use std::fmt::Display;
 use std::ops::{Index, IndexMut};
 use std::str::FromStr;
 
+pub mod coordination;
 pub mod eval;
 pub mod fen;
 mod hash;
@@ -432,7 +433,7 @@ impl Display for CastleRights {
     }
 }
 
-/// Immutable game state, unique to a position.
+/// Game state, describes a position.
 ///
 /// Default is empty.
 #[derive(Debug, Default, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Eq)]

src/main.rs

@@ -11,14 +11,33 @@ Copyright © 2024 dogeystamp <dogeystamp@disroot.org>
 */
 
 //! Main UCI engine binary.
+//!
+//! # Architecture
+//!
+//! This runs three threads, Main, Engine, and Stdin. Main coordinates everything, and performs UCI
+//! parsing/communication. Stdin is read on a different thread, in order to avoid blocking on it.
+//! The Engine is where the actual computation happens. It communicates state (best move, evaluations,
+//! board state and configuration) with Main.
+//!
+//! Main has a single rx (receive) channel. This is so that it can wait for either the Engine to
+//! finish a computation, or for Stdin to receive a UCI command. This way, the overall engine
+//! program is always listening, even when it is thinking.
+//!
+//! For every go command, Main sends data, notably the current position and engine configuration,
+//! to the Engine. The current position and config are re-sent every time because Main is where the
+//! opponent's move, as well as any configuration options, are read and parsed. Meanwhile, internal
+//! data, like the transposition table, is owned by the Engine thread.
+//!
+//! # Notes
+//!
+//! - The naming scheme for channels here is `tx_main`, `rx_main` for "transmit to Main" and
+//!   "receive at Main" respectively. These names would be used for one channel.
 
 use chess_inator::prelude::*;
-use std::cmp::min;
 use std::io;
-use std::sync::mpsc::channel;
+use std::process::exit;
+use std::sync::mpsc::{channel, Receiver, Sender};
 use std::thread;
-use std::time::Duration;
-
 
 /// UCI protocol says to ignore any unknown words.
 ///
@@ -55,7 +74,7 @@ fn cmd_position_moves(mut tokens: std::str::SplitWhitespace<'_>, mut board: Boar
 }
 
 /// Sets the position.
-fn cmd_position(mut tokens: std::str::SplitWhitespace<'_>) -> Board {
+fn cmd_position(mut tokens: std::str::SplitWhitespace<'_>, state: &mut MainState) {
     while let Some(token) = tokens.next() {
         match token {
             "fen" => {
@@ -72,80 +91,138 @@ fn cmd_position(mut tokens: std::str::SplitWhitespace<'_>) -> Board {
                     .unwrap_or_else(|e| panic!("failed to parse fen '{fen}': {e:?}"));
                 let board = cmd_position_moves(tokens, board);
 
-                return board;
+                state.board = board;
+                return;
             }
             "startpos" => {
                 let board = Board::starting_pos();
                 let board = cmd_position_moves(tokens, board);
 
-                return board;
+                state.board = board;
+                return;
             }
             _ => ignore!(),
         }
     }
 
-    panic!("position command was empty")
+    eprintln!("cmd_position: position command was empty")
 }
 
 /// Play the game.
-fn cmd_go(
-    mut tokens: std::str::SplitWhitespace<'_>,
-    board: &mut Board,
-    cache: &mut TranspositionTable,
-) {
-    // interface-to-engine
-    let (tx1, rx) = channel();
-    let tx2 = tx1.clone();
+fn cmd_go(mut tokens: std::str::SplitWhitespace<'_>, state: &mut MainState) {
+    let mut wtime = 0;
+    let mut btime = 0;
 
-    // can expect a 1sec soft timeout to result in more time than that of thinking
-    let mut timeout = 1650;
+    macro_rules! set_time {
+        ($color: expr, $var: ident) => {
+            if let Some(time) = tokens.next() {
+                if let Ok(time) = time.parse::<u64>() {
+                    $var = time;
+                }
+            }
+        };
+    }
 
     while let Some(token) = tokens.next() {
         match token {
             "wtime" => {
-                if board.get_turn() == Color::White {
-                    if let Some(time) = tokens.next() {
-                        if let Ok(time) = time.parse::<u64>() {
-                            timeout = min(time / 50, timeout);
-                        }
-                    }
-                }
+                set_time!(Color::White, wtime)
             }
             "btime" => {
-                if board.get_turn() == Color::Black {
-                    if let Some(time) = tokens.next() {
-                        if let Ok(time) = time.parse::<u64>() {
-                            timeout = min(time / 50, timeout);
-                        }
-                    }
-                }
+                set_time!(Color::Black, btime)
             }
             _ => ignore!(),
         }
     }
 
-    // timeout
-    thread::spawn(move || {
-        thread::sleep(Duration::from_millis(timeout));
-        let _ = tx2.send(InterfaceMsg::Stop);
-    });
+    let (ourtime_ms, theirtime_ms) = if state.board.get_turn() == Color::White {
+        (wtime, btime)
+    } else {
+        (btime, wtime)
+    };
 
-    let mut engine_state = EngineState::new(SearchConfig::default(), rx, cache);
-    let (line, eval) = best_line(board, &mut engine_state);
+    state
+        .tx_engine
+        .send(MsgToEngine::Go(Box::new(GoMessage {
+            board: state.board,
+            config: state.config,
+            time_lims: TimeLimits::from_ourtime_theirtime(ourtime_ms, theirtime_ms),
+        })))
+        .unwrap();
+}
 
-    let chosen = line.last().copied();
+/// Print static evaluation of the position.
+fn cmd_eval(mut _tokens: std::str::SplitWhitespace<'_>, state: &mut MainState) {
+    let res = eval_metrics(&state.board);
+    println!("STATIC EVAL (negative black, positive white):\n- pst: {}\n- king distance: {} ({} distance)\n- phase: {}\n- total: {}", res.pst_eval, res.king_distance_eval, res.king_distance, res.phase, res.total_eval);
+}
+
+/// Root UCI parser.
+fn cmd_root(mut tokens: std::str::SplitWhitespace<'_>, state: &mut MainState) {
+    while let Some(token) = tokens.next() {
+        match token {
+            "uci" => {
+                println!("{}", cmd_uci());
+            }
+            "isready" => {
+                println!("readyok");
+            }
+            "ucinewgame" => {
+                if matches!(state.uci_mode.mode, UCIMode::Idle) {
+                    state.tx_engine.send(MsgToEngine::NewGame).unwrap();
+                    state.board = Board::starting_pos();
+                }
+            }
+            "quit" => {
+                exit(0);
+            }
+            "position" => {
+                if matches!(state.uci_mode.mode, UCIMode::Idle) {
+                    cmd_position(tokens, state);
+                }
+            }
+            "go" => {
+                if state.uci_mode.transition(UCIModeTransition::Go).is_ok() {
+                    cmd_go(tokens, state);
+                }
+            }
+            "stop" => {
+                // actually setting state to stop happens when bestmove is received
+                if matches!(state.uci_mode.mode, UCIMode::Think | UCIMode::Ponder) {
+                    state.tx_engine.send(MsgToEngine::Stop).unwrap();
+                }
+            }
+            // non-standard command.
+            "eval" => {
+                cmd_eval(tokens, state);
+            }
+            _ => ignore!(),
+        }
+
+        break;
+    }
+}
+
+/// Format a bestmove.
+fn outp_bestmove(bestmove: MsgBestmove) {
+    let chosen = bestmove.pv.last().copied();
     println!(
         "info pv{}",
-        line.iter()
+        bestmove
+            .pv
+            .iter()
             .rev()
             .map(|mv| mv.to_uci_algebraic())
             .fold(String::new(), |a, b| a + " " + &b)
     );
-    match eval {
+    match bestmove.eval {
         SearchEval::Checkmate(n) => println!("info score mate {}", n / 2),
         SearchEval::Centipawns(eval) => {
             println!("info score cp {}", eval,)
         }
+        SearchEval::Stopped => {
+            panic!("info string ERROR: stopped search")
+        }
     }
     match chosen {
         Some(mv) => println!("bestmove {}", mv.to_uci_algebraic()),
@@ -153,51 +230,118 @@ fn cmd_go(
     }
 }
 
-/// Print static evaluation of the position.
-fn cmd_eval(mut _tokens: std::str::SplitWhitespace<'_>, board: &mut Board) {
-    let res = eval_metrics(board);
-    println!("STATIC EVAL (negative black, positive white):\n- pst: {}\n- king distance: {} ({} distance)\n- phase: {}\n- total: {}", res.pst_eval, res.king_distance_eval, res.king_distance, res.phase, res.total_eval);
+/// The "Stdin" thread to read stdin while avoiding blocking
+///
+/// # Arguments
+/// - `tx_main`: channel write end to send lines to
+fn task_stdin_reader(tx_main: Sender<MsgToMain>) {
+    thread::spawn(move || {
+        let stdin = io::stdin();
+
+        loop {
+            let mut line = String::new();
+            stdin.read_line(&mut line).unwrap();
+            tx_main.send(MsgToMain::StdinLine(line)).unwrap();
+        }
+    });
 }
 
-fn main() {
-    let stdin = io::stdin();
+/// The "Engine" thread that does all the computation.
+fn task_engine(tx_main: Sender<MsgToMain>, rx_engine: Receiver<MsgToEngine>) {
+    thread::spawn(move || {
+        let conf = SearchConfig::default();
+        let mut state = EngineState::new(
+            conf,
+            rx_engine,
+            TranspositionTable::new(conf.transposition_size),
+            TimeLimits::default(),
+        );
 
-    let mut board = Board::starting_pos();
-    let mut transposition_table = TranspositionTable::new(24);
-
-    loop {
-        let mut line = String::new();
-        stdin.read_line(&mut line).unwrap();
-        let mut tokens = line.split_whitespace();
-        while let Some(token) = tokens.next() {
-            match token {
-                "uci" => {
-                    println!("{}", cmd_uci());
+        loop {
+            let msg = state.rx_engine.recv().unwrap();
+            match msg {
+                MsgToEngine::Go(msg_box) => {
+                    let mut board = msg_box.board;
+                    state.config = msg_box.config;
+                    state.time_lims = msg_box.time_lims;
+                    let (pv, eval) = best_line(&mut board, &mut state);
+                    tx_main
+                        .send(MsgToMain::Bestmove(MsgBestmove { pv, eval }))
+                        .unwrap();
                 }
-                "isready" => {
-                    println!("readyok");
+                MsgToEngine::Stop => {}
+                MsgToEngine::NewGame => {
+                    state.wipe_state();
                 }
-                "ucinewgame" => {
-                    board = Board::starting_pos();
-                    transposition_table = TranspositionTable::new(24);
-                }
-                "quit" => {
-                    return;
-                }
-                "position" => {
-                    board = cmd_position(tokens);
-                }
-                "go" => {
-                    cmd_go(tokens, &mut board, &mut transposition_table);
-                }
-                // non-standard command.
-                "eval" => {
-                    cmd_eval(tokens, &mut board);
-                }
-                _ => ignore!(),
             }
+        }
+    });
+}
 
-            break;
+/// State contained within the main thread.
+///
+/// This struct helps pass around this thread state.
+struct MainState {
+    /// Channel to send messages to Engine.
+    tx_engine: Sender<MsgToEngine>,
+    /// Channel to receive messages from Engine and Stdin.
+    rx_main: Receiver<MsgToMain>,
+    /// Chessboard.
+    board: Board,
+    /// Engine configuration settings.
+    config: SearchConfig,
+    /// UCI mode state machine
+    uci_mode: UCIModeMachine,
+}
+
+impl MainState {
+    fn new(
+        tx_engine: Sender<MsgToEngine>,
+        rx_main: Receiver<MsgToMain>,
+        board: Board,
+        config: SearchConfig,
+        uci_mode: UCIModeMachine,
+    ) -> Self {
+        Self {
+            tx_engine,
+            rx_main,
+            board,
+            config,
+            uci_mode,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// The "Main" thread.
+fn main() {
+    let (tx_main, rx_main) = channel();
+    task_stdin_reader(tx_main.clone());
+
+    let (tx_engine, rx_engine) = channel();
+    task_engine(tx_main, rx_engine);
+
+    let mut state = MainState::new(
+        tx_engine,
+        rx_main,
+        Board::starting_pos(),
+        SearchConfig::default(),
+        UCIModeMachine::default(),
+    );
+
+    loop {
+        let msg = state.rx_main.recv().unwrap();
+        match msg {
+            MsgToMain::StdinLine(line) => {
+                let tokens = line.split_whitespace();
+                cmd_root(tokens, &mut state);
+            }
+            MsgToMain::Bestmove(msg_bestmove) => {
+                state
+                    .uci_mode
+                    .transition(UCIModeTransition::Bestmove)
+                    .unwrap();
+                outp_bestmove(msg_bestmove);
+            }
         }
     }
 }

src/prelude.rs

@@ -16,5 +16,6 @@ Copyright © 2024 dogeystamp <dogeystamp@disroot.org>
 pub use crate::eval::{eval_metrics, EvalMetrics};
 pub use crate::fen::{FromFen, ToFen};
 pub use crate::movegen::{FromUCIAlgebraic, Move, MoveGen, ToUCIAlgebraic};
-pub use crate::search::{best_line, best_move, InterfaceMsg, SearchEval, TranspositionTable, EngineState, SearchConfig};
+pub use crate::search::{best_line, best_move, SearchEval, TranspositionTable, EngineState, SearchConfig, TimeLimits};
 pub use crate::{Board, Color, BOARD_HEIGHT, BOARD_WIDTH, N_COLORS, N_PIECES, N_SQUARES};
+pub use crate::coordination::{UCIMode, UCIModeTransition, UCIModeMachine, MsgBestmove, MsgToMain, MsgToEngine, GoMessage};

src/search.rs

@@ -13,12 +13,14 @@ Copyright © 2024 dogeystamp <dogeystamp@disroot.org>
 
 //! Game-tree search.
 
+use crate::coordination::MsgToEngine;
 use crate::eval::{Eval, EvalInt};
 use crate::hash::ZobristTable;
 use crate::movegen::{Move, MoveGen};
 use crate::{Board, Piece};
-use std::cmp::max;
+use std::cmp::{max, min};
 use std::sync::mpsc;
+use std::time::{Instant, Duration};
 
 // min can't be represented as positive
 const EVAL_WORST: EvalInt = -(EvalInt::MAX);
@@ -43,6 +45,8 @@ pub enum SearchEval {
     Checkmate(i8),
     /// Centipawn score.
     Centipawns(EvalInt),
+    /// Search was hard-stopped.
+    Stopped,
 }
 
 impl SearchEval {
@@ -58,6 +62,7 @@ impl SearchEval {
                 }
             }
             SearchEval::Centipawns(eval) => Self::Centipawns(-eval),
+            SearchEval::Stopped => SearchEval::Stopped,
         }
     }
 }
@@ -74,6 +79,7 @@ impl From<SearchEval> for EvalInt {
                 }
             }
             SearchEval::Centipawns(eval) => eval,
+            SearchEval::Stopped => panic!("Attempted to evaluate a halted search"),
         }
     }
 }
@@ -96,11 +102,13 @@ impl PartialOrd for SearchEval {
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug)]
 pub struct SearchConfig {
     /// Enable alpha-beta pruning.
-    alpha_beta_on: bool,
+    pub alpha_beta_on: bool,
     /// Limit regular search depth
-    depth: usize,
+    pub depth: usize,
     /// Enable transposition table.
-    enable_trans_table: bool,
+    pub enable_trans_table: bool,
+    /// Transposition table size (2^n where this is n)
+    pub transposition_size: usize,
 }
 
 impl Default for SearchConfig {
@@ -110,6 +118,7 @@ impl Default for SearchConfig {
             // try to make this even to be more conservative and avoid horizon problem
             depth: 10,
             enable_trans_table: true,
+            transposition_size: 24,
         }
     }
 }
@@ -155,11 +164,35 @@ fn move_priority(board: &mut Board, mv: &Move) -> EvalInt {
 /// The best line (in reverse move order), and its corresponding absolute eval for the current player.
 fn minmax(
     board: &mut Board,
-    engine_state: &mut EngineState<'_>,
+    state: &mut EngineState,
     depth: usize,
     alpha: Option<EvalInt>,
     beta: Option<EvalInt>,
 ) -> (Vec<Move>, SearchEval) {
+    // these operations are relatively expensive, so only run them occasionally
+    if state.node_count % (1 << 16) == 0 {
+        // respect the hard stop if given
+        match state.rx_engine.try_recv() {
+            Ok(msg) => match msg {
+                MsgToEngine::Go(_) => panic!("received go while thinking"),
+                MsgToEngine::Stop => {
+                    return (Vec::new(), SearchEval::Stopped);
+                }
+                MsgToEngine::NewGame => panic!("received newgame while thinking"),
+            },
+            Err(e) => match e {
+                mpsc::TryRecvError::Empty => {}
+                mpsc::TryRecvError::Disconnected => panic!("thread Main stopped"),
+            },
+        }
+
+        if let Some(hard) = state.time_lims.hard {
+            if Instant::now() > hard {
+                return (Vec::new(), SearchEval::Stopped);
+            }
+        }
+    }
+
     // default to worst, then gradually improve
     let mut alpha = alpha.unwrap_or(EVAL_WORST);
     // our best is their worst
@@ -179,8 +212,8 @@ fn minmax(
         .collect();
 
     // get transposition table entry
-    if engine_state.config.enable_trans_table {
-        if let Some(entry) = &engine_state.cache[board.zobrist] {
+    if state.config.enable_trans_table {
+        if let Some(entry) = &state.cache[board.zobrist] {
             // the entry has a deeper knowledge than we do, so follow its best move exactly instead of
             // just prioritizing what it thinks is best
             if entry.depth >= depth {
@@ -209,8 +242,13 @@ fn minmax(
 
     for (_priority, mv) in mvs {
         let anti_mv = mv.make(board);
-        let (continuation, score) =
-            minmax(board, engine_state, depth - 1, Some(-beta), Some(-alpha));
+        let (continuation, score) = minmax(board, state, depth - 1, Some(-beta), Some(-alpha));
+
+        // propagate hard stops
+        if matches!(score, SearchEval::Stopped) {
+            return (Vec::new(), SearchEval::Stopped);
+        }
+
         let abs_score = score.increment();
         if abs_score > abs_best {
             abs_best = abs_score;
@@ -219,7 +257,7 @@ fn minmax(
         }
         alpha = max(alpha, abs_best.into());
         anti_mv.unmake(board);
-        if alpha >= beta && engine_state.config.alpha_beta_on {
+        if alpha >= beta && state.config.alpha_beta_on {
             // alpha-beta prune.
             //
             // Beta represents the best eval that the other player can get in sibling branches
@@ -232,8 +270,8 @@ fn minmax(
 
     if let Some(best_move) = best_move {
         best_continuation.push(best_move);
-        if engine_state.config.enable_trans_table {
-            engine_state.cache[board.zobrist] = Some(TranspositionEntry {
+        if state.config.enable_trans_table {
+            state.cache[board.zobrist] = Some(TranspositionEntry {
                 best_move,
                 eval: abs_best,
                 depth,
@@ -241,16 +279,10 @@ fn minmax(
         }
     }
 
+    state.node_count += 1;
     (best_continuation, abs_best)
 }
 
-/// Messages from the interface to the search thread.
-pub enum InterfaceMsg {
-    Stop,
-}
-
-type InterfaceRx = mpsc::Receiver<InterfaceMsg>;
-
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug)]
 pub struct TranspositionEntry {
     /// best move found last time
@@ -264,131 +296,122 @@ pub struct TranspositionEntry {
 pub type TranspositionTable = ZobristTable<TranspositionEntry>;
 
 /// Iteratively deepen search until it is stopped.
-fn iter_deep(board: &mut Board, engine_state: &mut EngineState<'_>) -> (Vec<Move>, SearchEval) {
-    // don't interrupt a depth 1 search so that there's at least a move to be played
-    let (mut prev_line, mut prev_eval) = minmax(board, engine_state, 1, None, None);
-    for depth in 2..=engine_state.config.depth {
-        let (line, eval) = minmax(board, engine_state, depth, None, None);
+fn iter_deep(board: &mut Board, state: &mut EngineState) -> (Vec<Move>, SearchEval) {
+    // always preserve two lines (1 is most recent)
+    let (mut line1, mut eval1) = minmax(board, state, 1, None, None);
+    let (mut line2, mut eval2) = (line1.clone(), eval1);
 
-        match engine_state.interface.try_recv() {
-            Ok(msg) => match msg {
-                InterfaceMsg::Stop => {
-                    if depth & 1 == 1 && (EvalInt::from(eval) - EvalInt::from(prev_eval) > 300) {
-                        // be skeptical if we move last and we suddenly earn a lot of
-                        // centipawns. this may be a sign of horizon problem
-                        return (prev_line, prev_eval);
-                    } else {
-                        return (line, eval);
-                    }
+    for depth in 2..=state.config.depth {
+        let (line, eval) = minmax(board, state, depth, None, None);
+
+        let mut have_to_ret = false;
+        // depth of the line we're about to return.
+        // our knock-off "quiescence" is skeptical of odd depths, so we need to know this.
+        let mut ret_depth = depth;
+
+        if matches!(eval, SearchEval::Stopped) {
+            ret_depth -= 1;
+            have_to_ret = true;
+        } else {
+            (line2, eval2) = (line1, eval1);
+            (line1, eval1) = (line, eval);
+            if let Some(soft_lim) = state.time_lims.soft {
+                if Instant::now() > soft_lim {
+                    have_to_ret = true;
                 }
-            },
-            Err(e) => match e {
-                mpsc::TryRecvError::Empty => {}
-                mpsc::TryRecvError::Disconnected => panic!("interface thread stopped"),
-            },
+            }
+        }
+
+        if have_to_ret {
+            if ret_depth & 1 == 1 && (EvalInt::from(eval1) - EvalInt::from(eval2) > 300) {
+                // be skeptical if we move last and we suddenly earn a lot of
+                // centipawns. this may be a sign of horizon problem
+                return (line2, eval2);
+            } else {
+                return (line1, eval1);
+            }
         }
-        (prev_line, prev_eval) = (line, eval);
     }
-    (prev_line, prev_eval)
+    (line1, eval1)
 }
 
-/// Helper type to avoid retyping the same arguments into every function prototype
-pub struct EngineState<'a> {
-    /// Configuration
-    config: SearchConfig,
-    /// Channel that can talk to the main thread
-    interface: InterfaceRx,
-    cache: &'a mut TranspositionTable,
+/// Deadlines for the engine to think of a move.
+#[derive(Default)]
+pub struct TimeLimits {
+    /// The engine must respect this time limit. It will abort if this deadline is passed.
+    pub hard: Option<Instant>,
+    pub soft: Option<Instant>,
 }
 
-impl<'a> EngineState<'a> {
+impl TimeLimits {
+    /// Make time limits based on wtime, btime (but color-independent).
+    pub fn from_ourtime_theirtime(ourtime_ms: u64, _theirtime_ms: u64) -> TimeLimits {
+        // hard timeout (max)
+        let mut hard_ms = 100_000;
+        // soft timeout (max)
+        let mut soft_ms = 1_200;
+
+        let factor = if ourtime_ms > 5_000 { 10 } else { 40 };
+        hard_ms = min(ourtime_ms / factor, hard_ms);
+        soft_ms = min(ourtime_ms / 50, soft_ms);
+
+        let hard_limit = Instant::now() + Duration::from_millis(hard_ms);
+        let soft_limit = Instant::now() + Duration::from_millis(soft_ms);
+
+        TimeLimits {
+            hard: Some(hard_limit),
+            soft: Some(soft_limit),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+/// Helper type to avoid retyping the same arguments into every function prototype.
+///
+/// This should be owned outside the actual thinking part so that the engine can remember state
+/// between moves.
+pub struct EngineState {
+    pub config: SearchConfig,
+    /// Main -> Engine channel receiver
+    pub rx_engine: mpsc::Receiver<MsgToEngine>,
+    pub cache: TranspositionTable,
+    /// Nodes traversed (i.e. number of times minmax called)
+    pub node_count: usize,
+    pub time_lims: TimeLimits,
+}
+
+impl EngineState {
     pub fn new(
         config: SearchConfig,
-        interface: InterfaceRx,
-        cache: &'a mut TranspositionTable,
+        interface: mpsc::Receiver<MsgToEngine>,
+        cache: TranspositionTable,
+        time_lims: TimeLimits,
     ) -> Self {
         Self {
             config,
-            interface,
+            rx_engine: interface,
             cache,
+            node_count: 0,
+            time_lims,
         }
     }
+
+    /// Wipe state between different games.
+    ///
+    /// Configuration is preserved.
+    pub fn wipe_state(&mut self) {
+        self.cache = TranspositionTable::new(self.config.transposition_size);
+        self.node_count = 0;
+    }
 }
 
 /// Find the best line (in reverse order) and its evaluation.
-pub fn best_line(board: &mut Board, engine_state: &mut EngineState<'_>) -> (Vec<Move>, SearchEval) {
+pub fn best_line(board: &mut Board, engine_state: &mut EngineState) -> (Vec<Move>, SearchEval) {
     let (line, eval) = iter_deep(board, engine_state);
     (line, eval)
 }
 
 /// Find the best move.
-pub fn best_move(board: &mut Board, engine_state: &mut EngineState<'_>) -> Option<Move> {
+pub fn best_move(board: &mut Board, engine_state: &mut EngineState) -> Option<Move> {
     let (line, _eval) = best_line(board, engine_state);
     line.last().copied()
 }
-
-#[cfg(test)]
-mod tests {
-    use super::*;
-    use crate::fen::{FromFen, ToFen};
-    use crate::movegen::ToUCIAlgebraic;
-
-    /// Theoretically, alpha-beta pruning should not affect the result of minmax.
-    #[test]
-    fn alpha_beta_same_result() {
-        let test_cases = [
-            "r2q1rk1/1bp1pp1p/p2p2p1/1p1P2P1/2n1P3/3Q1P2/PbPBN2P/3RKB1R b K - 5 15",
-            "r1b1k2r/p1qpppbp/1p4pn/2B3N1/1PP1P3/2P5/P4PPP/RN1QR1K1 w kq - 0 14",
-        ];
-        for fen in test_cases {
-            let mut board = Board::from_fen(fen).unwrap();
-            let (_tx, _rx) = mpsc::channel();
-            let mut _cache = ZobristTable::new(0);
-            let mut engine_state = EngineState::new(
-                SearchConfig {
-                    alpha_beta_on: false,
-                    depth: 3,
-                    enable_trans_table: false,
-                },
-                _rx,
-                &mut _cache,
-            );
-
-            let mv_no_prune = best_move(
-                &mut board,
-                &mut engine_state,
-            )
-            .unwrap();
-
-            assert_eq!(board.to_fen(), fen);
-
-            let (_tx, _rx) = mpsc::channel();
-            let mut engine_state = EngineState::new(
-                SearchConfig {
-                    alpha_beta_on: true,
-                    depth: 3,
-                    enable_trans_table: false,
-                },
-                _rx,
-                &mut _cache,
-            );
-
-            let mv_with_prune = best_move(
-                &mut board,
-                &mut engine_state,
-            )
-            .unwrap();
-
-            assert_eq!(board.to_fen(), fen);
-
-            println!(
-                "without ab prune got {}, otherwise {}, fen {}",
-                mv_no_prune.to_uci_algebraic(),
-                mv_with_prune.to_uci_algebraic(),
-                fen
-            );
-
-            assert_eq!(mv_no_prune, mv_with_prune);
-        }
-    }
-}