06 / Desktop product / collaboration

Building four versions of chess with a friend

A collaborative Electron game with four themed editions, more than 11 variants, reactive procedural audio, custom mechanics, and a packaged Windows build.

Status
Shipped
Period
2026
Role
Collaborator

Starting point

Where it started

The goal was to make each version of chess feel distinct without depending on a server or bundled audio library.

What I did

What I worked on

  1. Collaborated on four editions with separate mechanics and visual identities.
  2. Built synthesized soundtracks that react to captures, checks, pressure, and game state.
  3. Added variants, analysis labels, achievements, and optional Discord presence.
  4. Used smoke tests and build scripts to prepare a desktop release.

Result

What changed

The shipped app demonstrates collaboration, product polish, state-heavy front-end work, testing, and release discipline.

What I learned

What I took from it

  • State bugs hide in the interactions between systems.
  • Procedural audio can create identity without a large asset footprint.
  • A launcher has to explain the product before the first move.

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