http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_chessThat provides a glance how the chess works on computers,and chess AI. I have do idea how long you've programmed but some points:
-Chess AI is easier to code than Go (as far as I can remember)
-When doing chess AI you need to take every player into account, that means you have to make AI play with various skill levels
-Finally, IF YOU DO NOT KNOW advanced math, or you have only glanced to programming, save a trouble and don't try to code chess AI. Start with simple