Console Chess Game in Java 🏰♟️

A professional console-based chess game implemented in Java.
Demonstrates strong object-oriented design, game logic implementation, and interactive console features.

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🚀 Why This Project

This project showcases:

• Object-Oriented Programming: Each chess piece is a separate class implementing isValidMove().
• Core Game Logic: Full chess rules including castling, en passant, pawn promotion, check, and checkmate detection.
• Interactive Console Interface: Move timer (30 seconds per move).
• Clean Code & Structure: Designed for easy extension to GUI, AI opponent, or networked multiplayer.

This demonstrates skills relevant for Java development, game development, and algorithmic problem solving.

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🎯 Features

• Standard chess rules (movement, check, checkmate, stalemate)
• Pawn promotion with choice of Queen, Rook, Bishop, or Knight
• Castling (king-side and queen-side)
• En passant capture
• Move timer (30 seconds per move)
• Move history tracking
• Easily extendable for GUI or network play

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🏗 Project Structure

src/main/java/com/example/chess/
├── ConsoleMain.java       # Entry point of the console game, handles user interaction
├── logic/
│   ├── GameLogic.java    # Core game rules, move validation, special moves
│   └── Move.java         # Representation of a move, coordinates and promotion
└── model/
    ├── Piece.java         # Abstract base class for all chess pieces
    ├── Pawn.java          # Pawn implementation, including movement and en passant
    ├── Rook.java          # Rook implementation, including castling logic
    ├── Knight.java        # Knight movement implementation
    ├── Bishop.java        # Bishop movement implementation
    ├── Queen.java         # Queen movement implementation
    └── King.java          # King movement implementation, including castling

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🛠 Technical Details

• Language: Java 24 (OpenJDK, latest stable version used during development)
• Object-Oriented Design:
  • Each chess piece (Pawn, Rook, Knight, Bishop, Queen, King) is implemented as a separate class inheriting from the abstract Piece class.
  • The GameLogic class handles all game rules, validations, special moves, and game state.
• Move Validation:
  • Each piece implements its own isValidMove() method.
  • Supports standard chess movement rules, including diagonal, horizontal, vertical, and knight jumps.
• Special Moves:
  • Castling: King-side and Queen-side, with automatic rook movement.
  • En Passant: Captures handled according to chess rules.
  • Pawn Promotion: Supports promotion to Queen, Rook, Bishop, or Knight, selectable by the player.
• Game State Tracking:
  • Keeps track of current player turn (white/black).
  • Detects check, checkmate, and stalemate conditions.
  • Maintains move history for potential future features like undo/redo.
• Timers:
  • Interactive 30-second move timer implemented for console gameplay.
• Scalability & Extensibility:
  • Code structured for easy extension to GUI, AI opponent, or networked multiplayer.
  • Clean separation of concerns between model (pieces), logic (game rules), and interface (console).
• Coding Standards:
  • Clean, readable, and maintainable code following modern Java practices.
  • Fully uses type safety, encapsulation, and modular design.
• Tools & Environment:
  • Developed using IntelliJ IDEA (latest 2025 version)
  • Compiled and tested with OpenJDK 24
  • Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, Mac, Linux)

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💡 Potential Enhancements

• Add GUI using JavaFX or Swing
• Add AI opponent
• Add networked multiplayer
• Add undo/redo move functionality