Fort Chess

This is my version of chess where players can move when ever they want to and pawns can build walls!

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Inspiration

Fort Chess is a real-time, cloud-deployed chess game where any player can move any piece at any time. Each move has a 3-second cooldown to keep things balanced. You can double-click pawns to create walls on the board, changing the flow of the game and opening up creative strategies that don’t exist in normal chess.

What it does

Fort Chess is a real-time, cloud-deployed chess game where any player can move any piece at any time. Each move has a 3-second cooldown to keep things balanced. You can double-click pawns to create walls on the board, changing the flow of the game and opening up creative strategies that don’t exist in normal chess.

How we built it

The game was built in C++ using the Raylib graphics library for rendering. The backend runs in the cloud, allowing real-time synchronisation between players. The networking logic handles concurrent moves and enforces the cooldown system. I also implemented custom logic for wall placement and piece movement, making it both fun and unpredictable.

Challenges we ran into

  • Managing real-time synchronization between multiple players while keeping the game responsive.

  • Handling concurrent moves and making sure the rules still made sense when two players tried to move pieces simultaneously.

  • Implementing cooldown timers and wall mechanics that didn’t break the flow of gameplay.

  • Deploying the game to the cloud and ensuring it stayed stable during testing.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

  • Successfully built and deployed a fully functional real-time chess variant.

  • Created a unique blend of strategy and action, unlike any traditional chess experience.

  • Learned how to integrate Raylib, C++, and cloud networking into one cohesive project.

What we learned

  • How to handle networked game state management and real-time updates.

  • How to design around concurrency and fairness in a fast-paced multiplayer game.

  • More about deploying C++ applications to the cloud and optimizing them for performance.

What's next for Fort Chess

  • Add more special abilities for pieces.

  • Add matchmaking and private rooms.

  • Add better visuals, sounds, and animations.

  • Eventually release it as a web-playable version for easier access.

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