Steady-Chess System Requirements Document

Introduction

The purpose of this document is to outline the system requirements for the "steady-chess" project. This project aims to develop a basic chess game that offers both single-player mode against AI and local multiplayer mode. The game is designed to cater to different playstyles and provide an engaging experience for chess enthusiasts.

System Overview

Steady-Chess is a digital chess platform that allows users to play chess in two modes: single-player against an AI opponent and local multiplayer with another human player. The system will feature a user-friendly interface, a standard chessboard, and options for game settings. The AI will provide a challenging experience for players of varying skill levels.

Functional Requirements

• As a User, I should be able to play chess against an AI opponent.
• As a User, I should be able to play chess with another player locally on the same device.
• As a User, I should be able to view the chessboard and pieces clearly.
• As a User, I should be able to make moves by selecting and dragging pieces.
• As a User, I should be able to undo a move if needed.
• As a User, I should be able to restart the game at any time.
• As a User, I should be able to see a history of moves made during the game.

User Personas

• Single-Player User: A chess enthusiast who prefers playing against AI to improve their skills.
• Local Multiplayer User: A user who enjoys playing chess with friends or family on the same device.

Visuals Colors and Theme

• primary: #2C3E50 (Deep Blue)
• primary_light: #34495E (Light Blue)
• secondary: #E74C3C (Crimson)
• accent: #F39C12 (Vibrant Orange)
• highlight: #F1C40F (Gold)
• bg: #ECF0F1 (Light Gray)
• surface: rgba(236, 240, 241, 0.8) (Semi-transparent Light Gray)
• text: #2C3E50 (Dark Blue)
• text_muted: #95A5A6 (Muted Gray)
• border: rgba(44, 62, 80, 0.2) (Subtle Blue)

Signature Design Concept

The homepage of Steady-Chess will feature an interactive 3D chessboard using @react-three/fiber and @react-three/drei. Users can rotate the board in 3D space, zoom in and out, and click on pieces to see possible moves highlighted. The chess pieces will animate smoothly as they move across the board, providing a dynamic and engaging experience. The background will feature a subtle, living watercolor effect that changes hues based on the time of day, creating a calming atmosphere. This interactive 3D environment will make the game visually appealing and immersive.

Interaction Model & Motion Direction

The landing page will use a "parallax" interaction model, with layered depth effects as users scroll. The chessboard will remain the focal point, while decorative elements like floating chess pieces and atmospheric effects move at different speeds to create a sense of depth. Internal pages such as settings and game history will use a "static" interaction model to prioritize clarity and ease of use.

Non-Functional Requirements

• The system should load the chessboard and game interface within 3 seconds.
• The AI should make a move within 2 seconds after the user completes their turn.
• The application should be responsive and function well on various screen sizes and devices.

Tech Stack

• Frontend: React for Web
• Backend: Python, FastAPI
• Database: MySQL or MariaDB, using Alembic for migrations
• AI Models: GPT 5.4 for user-friendly responses
• Local Orchestration: Docker, docker-compose

Assumptions and Constraints

• The game will be developed for web platforms initially.
• The AI opponent will be designed to provide a moderate challenge to players.
• The application will support English language only at launch.
• The system will not include online multiplayer functionality in the initial release.

Glossary

• AI: Artificial Intelligence, used here to refer to the computer opponent in the chess game.
• Local Multiplayer: A mode where two players can play on the same device.
• Parallax: A visual effect where background images move slower than foreground images, creating an illusion of depth.
• 3D Chessboard: A digital representation of a chessboard that can be manipulated in three dimensions.