When we first started testing Battle Fog Chess (BFC), it was just a handful of us, crowded around a single device, taking turns and playing against each other. It was a lot of fun, but we quickly realized that to make this game truly engaging, we needed to introduce a worthy opponent. That’s when we decided to bring in the big guns: Stockfish AI, widely regarded as the best chess AI out there.

Now, if you’re not familiar with Stockfish, let me tell you, it’s a beast. The latest version of Stockfish has an ELO rating that starts at around 800, even at its lowest difficulty setting. For context, an 800 ELO might not sound intimidating to seasoned players, but for newcomers or those still getting the hang of chess, it can be downright suffocating. We wanted BFC to be challenging, but also fun and accessible for players of all skill levels.

The solution? We had to handicap the AI—seriously. We started by limiting the number of pieces the AI could use. Instead of letting Stockfish go wild with a full set of pieces, we decided to cap the number of pieces it could play with, especially in the early levels. For the first few levels, the AI was restricted to no more than seven pieces. This gave players the breathing room they needed to get familiar with the game mechanics without feeling overwhelmed.

But here’s the tricky part: finding the right balance. We didn’t want to make the AI too easy, as that would defeat the purpose of having a challenging opponent. On the other hand, we didn’t want new players to feel like they were getting crushed right out of the gate. It took a lot of trial and error to get this balance just right. We spent two solid weeks refining the AI’s behavior—adjusting the number of pieces, tweaking its decision-making process, and testing the gameplay over and over again.

What we ended up with is an AI that scales with the player’s progress. In the early levels, the AI plays with fewer pieces and makes simpler moves, allowing new players to build confidence and enjoy the game. As players advance, the AI gradually ramps up the difficulty by increasing its number of pieces and deploying more sophisticated strategies. This approach ensures that the game remains engaging and challenging, no matter the player’s skill level.

Looking back, integrating Stockfish into Battle Fog Chess was one of the most time-consuming aspects of development, but it was also one of the most rewarding. The AI not only adds depth to the game but also helps players grow and improve as they continue to play. Whether you’re a chess novice or a seasoned veteran, we wanted to make sure that BFC offers a fun and challenging experience for everyone.

And trust me, when you reach those higher levels where the AI is fully unleashed, you’ll be in for a real battle. But don’t worry, by then, you’ll have the skills and strategies needed to take on whatever Stockfish throws at you!

Stay tuned as we continue to refine and enhance the AI experience in Battle Fog Chess, and as always, keep those knights nimble and your pawns proud!