Chess

Interactive Chess Game Implementation

A fully functional chess game implementation featuring complete chess rule validation, move suggestions, special chess moves like en-passant and castling, and game state detection including checkmate and stalemate recognition. Developed using vanilla JavaScript with a focus on clean architecture and intuitive user experience.

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Chess Game

Overview

The Chess project is a browser-based chess game implementation that allows players to play chess against each other or practice moves by themselves. The game ensures that all chess rules are properly enforced, including special moves and win/loss/draw conditions.

Developed as a passion project stemming from a lifelong interest in chess, this implementation uses JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to create a fully functional and interactive chess experience without relying on any external libraries or frameworks. The game provides visual indicators for possible moves and enforces all chess rules to ensure a proper playing experience.

Key Features

Complete Chess Rules Implementation

Enforces all standard chess rules with comprehensive move validation for each piece type, ensuring that players can only make valid moves according to official chess rules.

Move Suggestions

Visual indicators show all possible valid moves when a piece is selected, with different indicators for empty spaces (dots) and opponent pieces that can be captured (circles).

Special Move Recognition

Implements special chess moves including castling (kingside and queenside), en-passant captures for pawns, and pawn promotion with selection interface for piece upgrades.

Game State Detection

Automatically detects and announces checkmate (win/loss), stalemate (draw), and other game-ending conditions, providing visual and audio feedback to players.

Check Validation

Prevents moves that would leave or place the player's king in check, enforcing the rule that a player must move out of check when their king is threatened.

Interactive UI

Features drag-and-drop piece movement, turn indicators, invalid move prevention with visual and audio feedback, and an intuitive chess board representation.

Architecture & Implementation

The Chess project is structured using a modular approach with core functions that handle distinct aspects of the game:

  • Board Representation: A 2D matrix (8×8) represents the chess board, with each cell containing information about the piece occupying that position. This matrix is the foundation for move validation and game state detection.
  • Move Validation System: Comprehensive rules for each chess piece are implemented in the isValidMove function, which checks if a move is valid based on the piece type, starting position, ending position, and the current board state.
  • Check Detection: The canCheckAfterMove and isKingInCheckfunctions work together to determine if a move would result in a check position and prevent illegal moves.
  • Special Move Implementation: Special rules for castling, en-passant, and pawn promotion are handled by dedicated functions that track piece movement history and game state.
  • Game State Detection: The isGameOver function analyzes the board to detect checkmate, stalemate, and other game-ending conditions.
  • User Interface: Event-driven programming enables piece selection, movement, and visual feedback using CSS classes and JavaScript DOM manipulation.

Technology Stack

JavaScript

Core game logic, move validation, and state management

HTML5

Game structure and DOM elements for the chess board

CSS3

Styling, animations, and visual indicators for moves

DOM Manipulation

Dynamic UI updates and event handling

Audio API

Sound effects for moves, captures, and game events

Drag & Drop API

Interactive piece movement on the chess board

Game Features Showcase

Move Suggestions & Validation

When a piece is selected, all valid moves are displayed on the board using visual indicators. Empty cells show dots, while cells with opponent pieces that can be captured display circles.

Invalid moves (such as moves that would expose the king to check) are prevented, with visual feedback (red highlight) and an error sound to indicate why the move cannot be made.

Special Chess Moves

The game implements all special chess moves according to standard rules:

  • Castling (both kingside and queenside)
  • En-passant captures for pawns
  • Pawn promotion with piece selection interface
  • Check and checkmate detection
  • Stalemate recognition

Try the Chess Game

Experience the fully implemented chess game with all standard rules and special moves. Challenge a friend or practice your skills against yourself.

Play the GameView Source Code