👑 CHESS JAM 2026

Simple Rules. Lots of Fun.

Welcome to Chess Jam 2026! This is a casual, no-stress game jam hosted entirely for fun. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced developer, this jam is the perfect excuse to sit down, write some code, and make something cool.

To make this event even more special, we are kicking things off on July 20th—International Chess Day! ♟️

💡 The Concept

The core idea is simple: Take chess, and break it.

You have one week to build a game inspired by chess. You can twist the rules, mash it up with another genre, or create a completely chaotic board game. It doesn't need to be a massive project—just make something fun to play!

The optional secret "Twist/Theme" is "Chain Reaction"!

📅 Timeline

• Jam Starts: July 20, 2026
• Submission Deadline: July 27, 2026
• Voting Period: July 27 – August 3, 2026

(Note: Check the countdown timer at the top of the page to see the exact time remaining in your local timezone!)

📜 Rules

1. Keep it Chill: This is a small jam made for fun and learning. Be kind and supportive to fellow jammers in the community tab.
2. Any Engine Allowed: You can use Godot, Unity, Scratch, pure HTML/JavaScript, or whatever engine makes you happy!
3. Web Builds Recommended: While not strictly mandatory, uploading a game that can be played directly inside the browser (HTML5) is highly encouraged so more people can try and rate your game.
4. Teams or Solo: You can work completely by yourself or team up with friends.
5. Assets: You can use pre-made art, music, or code libraries, just make sure you have the rights to use them and give proper credit in your game description.

🗳️ Voting & Polish

After the submission deadline, everyone who submitted a game will get a week to play and rate each other's entries. Since this jam is a full week long, try to spend those last couple of days adding a little bit of polish—smooth animations, nice menus, and satisfying sound effects go a long way!

Games will be rated on:

• Fun / Gameplay: How addictive and enjoyable is it to play?
• Innovation: How creatively did you twist the concept of chess?
• Juice & Polish: How nice do the visual effects, menus, and sounds feel?

💬 Join the Conversation!

Head over to the Community Tab right here on Itch to introduce yourself, share your progress, ask questions, or find teammates.