DualChess - Chess — but a mini-game decides every capture
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Play chess online, locally, or vs AI (4 levels) — but here's the twist: every capture is settled by a fast reflex mini-game. Lining up a piece doesn't guarantee the take — you have to win Pong, Labyrinth, Quick Draw, Memory Match, Target Practice or Tug of War to claim it.
Strategy meets nerve, so even a beginner can upset a stronger player. Real-time online play, a global leaderboard, installable as an app — and free, running instantly in your browser. No download.
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Hey Product Hunt 👋
I'm George, and DualChess is my solo project.
I love chess, but I always felt bad watching friends bounce off it. When there's a skill gap, the weaker player just loses every single game, and it stops being fun. I wanted a version where one moment of focus or quick reflexes could swing things, so a beginner always has a fighting chance against a stronger player or the AI.
So in DualChess the board is real chess, but you don't simply *take* a piece. Every capture kicks off a fast mini-game, and you have to win it to claim the piece. Six so far: Pong, Labyrinth, Quick Draw, Memory Match, Target Practice and Tug of War. Suddenly a losing position can be rescued by nerve, and a winning one can slip away if you choke under pressure.
I've also baked in a few special rule twists that quietly tilt the board toward the underdog. I'll let you discover those as you play. 😉
It started as a tiny "vs computer" prototype and grew into real-time online multiplayer, 4 AI difficulty levels, a global leaderboard, and a full installable PWA, all running in the browser with no download.
It's free to play. 🎁 Just for launch day today, the first 100 players get 1 day of Premium free with code BETA100. Grab it while it's live.
I'd genuinely love your feedback: does the twist make chess more fun, or just delightfully chaotic? And what mini-game should I add next? 😄
Thanks for checking it out!
jared.so
Congrats on shipping George! What is next on the roadmap after launch day?
@borrellbr Thank you, Ignacio! 🙏 Lots to ship to keep players engaged, and it's already underway.
We just rolled out one-tap shareable clips: a smooth replay of your match that wraps on a clean final-score frame, ready to post straight to social. Also added a low-time clock warning and a tidier share menu.
Next on the roadmap: a Daily Challenge with streaks to bring players back each day. Plenty more coming. 😄