Chess Game with AI, Multiplayer, and Custom Rules

Welcome to this versatile Chess Game project! Built using Python and Pygame, it combines a variety of gameplay modes, including single-player (against an AI bot powered by Stockfish), local multiplayer, and online multiplayer. The game incorporates customizable rules, advanced features, and real-time tracking of moves, scores, and captured pieces.

Features

Game Modes

1. Single Player:
   • Play against an AI bot integrated with Stockfish's API for decision-making.
   • Adjustable difficulty levels: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced.
2. Multiplayer:
   • Local Play: Two players can play on the same computer.
   • Online Play: Play with a friend over the network using real-time move synchronization.

Gameplay Features

• Movement Options:
  • Click: Select and move pieces by clicking.
  • Drag-and-Drop: Move pieces intuitively by dragging them across the board.
• Customizable Rules:
  • Toggle features like En Passant, Castling, Pawn Promotion, and Stalemate from the settings menu.
  • Choose promotion options (e.g., queen, rook, bishop, knight).
• Bot Gameplay:
  • Powered by Stockfish's API for sophisticated decision-making.
  • Adjustable time limit for the bot's moves.
• Undo/Redo Moves:
  • Undo or redo player and bot moves with updates to captured pieces and scores.
• Move History & Highlights:
  • A scrollable log displays all moves made during the game.
  • Highlights the last move for both players and shows legal moves when selecting pieces.
• Player Names & Score Tracking:
  • Input custom player names reflected in the scoreboard.
  • Captured pieces are displayed in real-time.
• Sound Effects:
  • Customizable sounds for moves, captures, and other events.

Installation

Prerequisites

• Python 3.x
• Pygame library
• Stockfish chess engine

Setup

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/your-repo-link
   cd chess-game

2. Install dependencies:

   pip install pygame chess

3. Download and set up Stockfish:

   • Visit the Stockfish downloads page.
   • Choose the appropriate version for your operating system.
   • Extract the downloaded files and place the stockfish or stockfish.exe binary in the stockfish/ folder of the project.

4. Run the game:

   python main.py

How to Play

Single Player

• Choose the difficulty level.
• Move pieces using click or drag-and-drop. The bot responds after each move based on Stockfish's calculations.

Multiplayer

• Local: Two players share the same computer.
• Online: One player hosts a server, and the other connects using the provided IP address.

Customization

• Toggle game rules like En Passant, Castling, and Pawn Promotion via the settings menu.
• Switch between movement options (click or drag-and-drop).

File Structure

├── rootfolder/            # Resources for the game
   ├── pieces/                # Piece images and themes
   ├── sounds/                # Sound files
   ├── stockfish/             # Stockfish engine
   ├── the_board.py           # Core game logic
   ├── the_menu.py            # Settings menu and rules
   ├── server.py              # Online multiplayer server logic
   ├── client.py              # Online multiplayer client logic

Running Multiplayer

To play in online multiplayer mode:

1. Open three terminal instances.
2. Navigate to the root folder in all instances:

   cd "C:\Users\to\root\folder"

3. Start the server:

   python server.py

4. Run the_menu.py on the other two instances to start the game for both players.

Known Issues

End Game

• The end game screen (e.g., checkmate, stalemate, or draw) is incomplete.
  • It should display results with options to replay or quit.
  • Not fully implemented in all movement functions.
• En Passant capture is not added to the score tally.

Bot Behavior

• Add a delay between player and bot turns.
• Fix click-based movement for bots, as it occasionally behaves unpredictably.
• Consider implementing a custom AI algorithm instead of Stockfish for more flexibility.

Suggestions for Improvement

Networking

• Implement graceful handling of disconnects, including notifications and reconnect options.
• Add user feedback (e.g., loading screens) during connection setup.
• Provide retry options for failed connections.

Gameplay

• Add a pawn promotion dialog for players to choose the desired piece.
• Handle all end game conditions properly, including notifications for checkmate, stalemate, or draw.
• Improve error handling and stability for online multiplayer.
• Include a timed chess clock for competitive play.

User Experience

• Enhance visual feedback for invalid moves and rule violations.
• Prompt players for their names at the start to personalize the experience.
• Introduce additional themes for boards and pieces.

Stockfish Integration

How It Works

• The game utilizes Stockfish's API for AI decision-making.
• Players can set a time limit for the bot’s moves, affecting its depth of calculation and performance.

Setting Up Stockfish

Follow these steps to download and install Stockfish:

1. Visit the Stockfish downloads page.
2. Extract the ZIP file and locate the stockfish or stockfish.exe binary.
3. Place the binary in the stockfish/ folder.
4. Test Stockfish in the terminal:

   cd path/to/stockfish
   ./stockfish

   Use commands like position startpos and go to interact with the engine.

Future Features

• Timed Chess Clock: Add a timer for each player.
• Spectator Mode: Allow others to watch live games.
• Enhanced AI: Implement a custom chess AI.
• Expanded Themes: Offer more customization for board and piece designs.

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License: MIT License

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Links

• Comprehensive Chess Rules: Eddie's YouTube Playlist
• Live Demo: Gameplay Video