chessperiment - The Custom Chess Platform

Design unique chess sets, customize your board, and play multiplayer chess variants online.

Board Editor Guide

What is the Board Editor?

The Board Editor is the tool you use to create custom game boards for chessperiment. A board defines the playing field: its size, which squares are playable, starting positions, and board-level rules.

In short: the Board Editor defines the structure of the game.

How does the Board Editor work?

  1. Set the board size
    First, you define the dimensions of the board (e.g. 8×8, 10×10, or any custom size) by resizing the grid.
  2. Edit squares
    Individual squares are intentionally kept simple. Each square currently has exactly one configurable property:
    • Active / inactive (playable or blocked)
    Inactive squares are not part of the playing field and cannot be entered or occupied by pieces.
  3. Set starting positions
    Define which pieces start on which squares. These positions are used as the initial setup for new games played on this board.
  4. Board-level rules
    Some rules apply to the board itself rather than to individual pieces (for example: blocked areas or special zones).
  5. Save & test
    Your board can be saved at any time and tested directly in game mode — even by playing against yourself. You can find it in your library.

You're done – what can you do with the board?

  • test the board by playing against yourself
  • play on it with others
  • share it with other players
  • edit or extend it later

The Board Editor is intentionally flexible. You are encouraged to experiment without having to commit to a final design immediately.

Piece Editor Guide

What is the Piece Editor?

The Piece Editor is the counterpart to the Board Editor. While the board defines the playing field, pieces define how the game is played: how they move, capture, and interact with the board and other pieces.

Design

This section focuses on the visual appearance of a piece:

  • Icon or graphic
  • Color / variants
  • Orientation (e.g. depending on the player)

Design has no influence on the rules, but it is essential for clarity and recognition.

Rules

Fundamental

  • Can it move?
  • Can it capture?
  • Does it belong to a player or is it neutral?

Detailed

  • Movement patterns (directions, range)
  • Conditions (e.g. only on the first move)
  • Special rules (transformations, blocking, dependencies on specific squares)

At the end

A piece is only complete when design and rules work together cleanly. The goal is for every piece to be clear, consistent, and predictable.

!Pieces can only be placed via the Board Editor!

Sets

Group related pieces into a set. These sets can later be imported into the Board Editor.

Getting Started with chessperiment

Stockfish

chessperiment can use Stockfish as an engine. Stockfish allows:

  • playing against an AI
  • position analysis
  • comparing different boards and rule sets

Depending on the complexity of the rules, engine behavior may vary.

Room Code

A room code lets you share games easily: other players can join directly, making it ideal for private matches or testing.

The code ensures that all players use the same rules, boards, and pieces.

Chess rules

chessperiment is conceptually based on chess, but extends it:

  • classical rules only apply if you define them
  • deviations are explicitly allowed
  • custom rule sets override standard chess

The system is rule-driven: “chess” is not the default — your configuration is.

Trending

Neon Cyberpunk Board

Neon Cyberpunk Board

board4.8
Medieval Warriors Set

Medieval Warriors Set

pieces4.9
Minimalist Dark Theme

Minimalist Dark Theme

design4.7