Simultaneous Chess

A real-time chess game with simultaneous move mechanics, built with Next.js, React, Node.js, and WebSockets. UI/UX inspired by Lichess.

Game Concept

In this chess variant, players can move multiple times in a row! Each player has a timer (1s, 3s, or 5s) that resets after each move. If time expires, an auto-move is played automatically.

Features

• Real-time multiplayer gameplay using WebSockets
• Simultaneous move mechanics - players can move multiple times
• Timer variants: 1 second, 3 seconds, or 5 seconds per move
• Auto-move when time expires
• Lichess-inspired UI/UX with modern design
• Responsive design for desktop and mobile
• TypeScript for type safety
• Tailwind CSS for styling

Tech Stack

• Frontend: Next.js 16, React 19, TypeScript, Tailwind CSS
• Backend: Node.js, WebSocket (ws library)
• Chess Logic: chess.js library
• Real-time: WebSocket connections

Getting Started

Prerequisites

• Node.js 24+ (recommended)
• npm or yarn package manager

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

git clone <repository-url>
cd simultaneous-chess

2. Install dependencies:

npm install

Running the Application

You need to run both the WebSocket server and the Next.js development server.

Option 1: Run both servers simultaneously (recommended)

npm run dev:full

Option 2: Run servers separately

1. Start the WebSocket server (in one terminal):

npm run server

2. Start the Next.js development server (in another terminal):

npm run dev

3. Open your browser and navigate to:

http://localhost:3000

The WebSocket server runs on port 8080, and the Next.js app runs on port 3000.

How to Play

1. Select Timer Variant: Choose between 1s, 3s, or 5s timers
2. Find Game: Click "Find Game" to match with another player
3. Make Moves: Click on your piece, then click on the destination square
4. Timer Management: Make your move before time runs out
5. Simultaneous Play: Both players have independent timers and can move multiple times

Game Rules

• Each player has a timer (1s, 3s, or 5s) per move
• Timer resets after each valid move
• If time expires, a random legal move is automatically played
• Players can move multiple times in a row
• Standard chess rules apply for all moves
• Game ends when checkmate, stalemate, or draw occurs

Project Structure

simultaneous-chess/
src/
  components/
    ChessBoard.tsx    # Chess board component with Lichess-inspired design
    Game.tsx          # Main game logic and WebSocket handling
  app/
    page.tsx          # Main application page
server.js            # WebSocket server for real-time gameplay

Development

Available Scripts

• npm run dev - Start Next.js development server
• npm run server - Start WebSocket server
• npm run dev:full - Run both servers simultaneously
• npm run build - Build for production
• npm run start - Start production server
• npm run lint - Run ESLint

WebSocket API

The server uses WebSocket connections for real-time gameplay. Message types include:

• find-game - Find an opponent
• move - Make a chess move
• timer - Timer updates
• game-over - Game ended
• opponent-disconnected - Opponent left the game

Future Enhancements

• Player authentication and profiles
• Game history and replay
• Tournament mode
• Chat functionality
• Different board themes
• Sound effects
• Mobile app version

Contributing

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch
3. Make your changes
4. Test thoroughly
5. Submit a pull request

License

This project is open source and available under the MIT License.

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