Nice-to-have "standard" features for Chess Engines:

• Universal Chess Interface
• Chess Engine Communication Protocol

Check out specs for TCEC and code for that (a very far off plan).

Other projects worth a look:

• Shane's Chess Information Database (SCID)

Actual algorithmic resources:

• Chess Programming Wiki
• Computer Chess Programming Theory
• From GameDev.net

Implementation Notes

Universal Chess Interface

Plan: Just model the engine and the UI interfaces as you see fit for now and develop adapters later.