Arcade floor
Gambit

Cabinet G-03 / alpha

Your move, over SSH.

Gambit is chess for the terminal: a full board drawn in text, moves typed in algebraic notation, and a real opponent on the other end of the wire. No client, no browser tab — just a keyboard and your next idea.

Watch a game
Alpha

Gambit is being play-tested in the back room. It joins the arcade menu when the alpha opens to players — until then, the command above takes you to the rest of the floor.

G-03

Queen's Gambit Declined

GAMBIT · alphawhite: you · black: guest

Moves

  1. 1.d4d5
  2. 2.c4e6
  3. 3.Nc3Nf6
  4. 4.Bg5Be7
  5. 5.e3O-O
  6. 6.Nf3Nbd7

white to move > d4

Ply 00/12

How it plays

Three keys to the board.

  1. 1

    Take a seat

    Run ssh play.ssharcade.dev and pick Gambit from the arcade menu. Your SSH key is your account — no install, no password, no sign-up.

  2. 2

    Find a match

    Challenge a friend by their arcade handle, or sit down at the open table and wait for the next challenger.

  3. 3

    Type your move

    Moves are plain algebraic notation — e4, Nf3, O-O. The cabinet checks the move is legal, redraws the board, and hands over the turn.

alpha.log

Still setting up the pieces.

The alpha is about getting the fundamentals right before the doors open. Want a seat at the first table, or have a feature you'd like to see?

Ping the operator ▸
  • Full board drawn in any terminalReady
  • Algebraic move entry + legal-move checksReady
  • Head-to-head games over SSHTesting
  • Chess clocks (blitz / rapid)Testing
  • Rated ladderPlanned
  • Spectate live gamesPlanned