About Metachess.org

Metachess is a modern online chess platform with extended functionality, flexible customization, and a focus on experimentation, usability and transparency.

Purpose

Metachess exists to expand what an online chess service can offer. The platform emphasizes practical tools and configurable play so that every user can choose how they want to play, study and create. The core priority is meeting the needs of regular and advanced players. A secondary focus is building an ecosystem for creators and custom modes.

Who Metachess is for

  • Casual players who want a clean, distraction-free place to play and enjoy chess.
  • Advanced players who need flexible settings, varied modes and stronger analytical tools.
  • Developers and modders who will be able to build and publish custom modes through a Workshop and APIs.
  • Coaches and trainers as a future focus for tailored analysis and training workflows.

Current capabilities

  • Real online play with game logic and match handling.
  • WebSocket-based architecture for realtime interactions.
  • Core game engine and logic.
  • Foundational UI and UX design.
  • Localization structure and basic translations.
  • Input configuration including keyboard controls.
  • Project structure prepared for extensions such as mods and analytics.

Planned features

These items are actively planned and will be delivered according to roadmap priorities:

  • Stable online matchmaking and player profiles.
  • Rating systems.
  • Watch and spectate functionality.
  • Workshop for user-created modes and scenarios.
  • Challenges and daily tasks.
  • Public documentation, API and developer resources at api.metachess.org and docs.metachess.org.
  • Service status page at status.metachess.org.

What we will not do

Metachess will not introduce mechanics that compromise fair play or user experience. Specifically:

  • No NFTs.
  • No pay-to-win features.
  • No loot boxes or gambling mechanics.
  • No intrusive advertising that disrupts play.
  • No gameplay-affecting cosmetic items.

How Metachess differs from other platforms

  • Greater control for players. Settings, customization and experimental modes are central.
  • An evolving platform. Metachess is designed as a laboratory for new ideas rather than a static product.
  • A Workshop-oriented approach to user-created content, with an emphasis on safe, reproducible mods.
  • Clean consumer experience without casino-style monetization or distracting marketing.
  • Openness to integrations through documented APIs and partner tooling.

Access and pricing

What remains free for everyone: classic chess, basic online play, core profile features and essential settings.

Premium subscription will provide additional conveniences and enhanced features, for example extended customization, access to select workshop capabilities and quality-of-life improvements in advanced areas. Premium is intended to enhance experience, not to alter game balance.

Donations and support

Donations are accepted as project support. Donations do not confer competitive advantage and will not affect gameplay balance. Donors may receive community recognition such as a supporter badge.

Funding model

Metachess is funded through a combination of donations, premium subscriptions and other revenue sources required to maintain infrastructure and development. The model is intended to preserve the core experience while enabling sustainable growth.

Community and collaboration

Metachess develops with user feedback and community input. Players, testers and creators shape priorities through reports, proposals and participation. Integration opportunities and partnerships are welcomed where they expand the platform in ways that benefit players.

For developers and partners

Documentation and APIs will support integrations, research and tooling. Workshop tools and developer resources are planned to allow third parties to build compatible modes, training products and broadcasting extensions.

Contact and media resources

Approved brand assets, screenshots and press materials are available on request for media partners and content creators.

Closing statement

Metachess is built to be practical and durable: a place to play, to experiment and to build new forms of chess interaction while keeping the player experience central.