Building My Next Chess Application: A Repertoire Builder

I have been programming for about a year now, and I’m pretty happy with the number of games and tools I’ve built on Chessboard Magic. It has been an exciting journey filled with challenges, learning, and growth. However, as I reflect on why I started this journey, I realize it was to create tools to support my own personal chess improvement.

With that in mind, I want to get back to the original purpose of developing analytical tools that help me and others grow as chess players. My next major project is a Repertoire Builder, a tool that I hope will provide immense value to players of all levels, but particularly to beginners like myself who are navigating the complex world of chess openings and strategies.

Why Build This?

For those unfamiliar, a repertoire builder is a tool that helps you prepare and organize your opening strategies. It allows you to build a collection of openings and their variations, giving you a structured way to approach the game from the very first move. The idea is to develop confidence and consistency in the openings you play while understanding the ideas behind them.
Currently, I have my repertoire scattered across platforms like Chessbase and Lichess, but as a beginner, I often feel these tools don’t help me as much as they could. They tend to cater to more advanced players or are designed without enough focus on actionable learning. While there are other platforms that offer repertoire-building features, I aim to create a free, beginner-friendly tool tailored to my needs and, hopefully, the needs of others seeking to improve their chess skills.

Planned Features

Here are some key features I’m envisioning for the Repertoire Builder:

1. Effortless Repertoire Creation:
   • Build your repertoire directly on a chessboard with an intuitive interface that allows you to input moves and variations seamlessly. The design will prioritize clarity and usability, making it accessible even to beginners.
   • Import PGN files to quickly upload existing repertoires, enabling users to consolidate work from multiple sources without starting from scratch.
   • Connect to your Lichess or Chess.com accounts to import your games and identify recurring patterns, giving insights into your existing play style.
   • Import directly from Lichess Studies, allowing you to seamlessly integrate your organized analysis and enrich your repertoire with pre-analyzed content.
2. Repertoire Trainer:
   • Train your repertoire by practicing positions pulled directly from your repertoire database. Whether you have a minute or an hour, the trainer will adapt to your schedule and needs.
   • The tool will quiz you on the top moves for each position, ensuring you build muscle memory and confidence in your openings. Positions will be randomized to keep training sessions dynamic and challenging.
   • After each attempt, receive detailed feedback, including suggested improvements, alternative moves, and access to any personal comments you’ve added to the position. This feedback loop ensures steady progress.
   • The trainer will be mobile-friendly, so you can practice your repertoire on the go, ensuring continuous improvement even during busy days.
3. Play Against an Engine:
   • Test your repertoire by playing against a powerful engine with customizable difficulty settings to mimic a variety of playing styles and strengths.
   • Start from specific positions in your repertoire to simulate real-game scenarios and refine your responses under practical conditions.
   • After each practice game, access in-depth analysis of the outcomes, highlighting strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement.
4. Repertoire Analyzer:
   • Compare your games against your repertoire to assess how well you are adhering to your prepared lines during actual play. This comparison will include move accuracy and alignment with your opening plans.
   • Use advanced analytics to identify your strengths and weaknesses, helping you prioritize areas that need the most attention.
   • Highlight gaps or missing lines in your repertoire to ensure you’re prepared for a wide range of responses from opponents, leaving no surprises on the board.
   • Detect inaccuracies or mistakes within the first 10-15 moves of your games, offering tailored recommendations to help you correct and strengthen your play.
5. Shareable Repertoires:
   • Make your repertoire (or specific chapters of it) public or private based on your preference, giving you control over how much you share.
   • Share your opening repertoire with others in the chess community, fostering collaboration and encouraging knowledge exchange.
   • Include social features such as comments, likes, or discussion boards, enabling players to engage with others who have similar opening interests.

Timelines

I’ve already started doing some light programming on this project, and progress has been steady.

Since I’m balancing this with other responsibilities, the development will proceed at my own pace. However, I am targeting a draft release in May 2025. This will allow me to refine the features and gather initial feedback to ensure the tool meets the needs of the chess community.

Feedback

I’m still in the early stages of designing this tool, and I would love to hear your thoughts! What features would you find most useful in a Repertoire Builder, regardless of your skill level? Is there anything you’d like to see that I haven’t mentioned? Your input would help shape this project into a tool that truly benefits the chess community, from beginners seeking a structured approach to seasoned players exploring new variations.
Feel free to share your ideas in the comments section or join the conversation in my Discord server: https://discord.gg/c82jQuy9AM.
Let’s collaborate to create something amazing together!

Kind Regards,
Toan Hoang (@HollowLeaf)
Creator of Chessboard Magic