A checkers (draughts) game implementation in C# .NET 9.0 with both console and web interfaces. Features configurable board sizes (4x4 to 32x32), Human vs Human, Human vs AI, and AI vs AI gameplay with Minimax algorithm.

• .NET 9.0 SDK
• SQLite (included with .NET)

Console Application (recommended for first-time users):

cd /Users/aleksandrsmirnov/git/checkers
dotnet run --project ConsoleApp

The console app provides a menu-driven interface where you can:

• Create new games with custom board sizes
• Choose between Human and AI players
• Save and load games
• Switch between Database and FileSystem storage

Web Application:

cd /Users/aleksandrsmirnov/git/checkers
dotnet run --project WebApp

Then navigate to the URL shown in the console (typically http://localhost:5000).

DATABASE_URL - Path to SQLite database file (optional for ConsoleApp, required for WebApp)

Example:

export DATABASE_URL=/Users/yourusername/checkers.db
dotnet run --project ConsoleApp

If not set, ConsoleApp uses a default path. WebApp uses the connection string in WebApp/appsettings.json.

Initialize the database (first time only):

dotnet ef database update --project DAL.Db --startup-project ConsoleApp

This creates the SQLite database with the required schema (CheckersOption, CheckersGame, CheckersGameState tables).

The application supports two storage strategies:

1. Database (SQLite) - Uses Entity Framework Core

   • Required for WebApp
   • Optional for ConsoleApp (selected via menu)

2. FileSystem (JSON) - Stores data in local directories

   • ConsoleApp only
   • Creates ./options/, ./games/, ./states/ directories automatically
   • No database setup required

• Customizable board sizes: 4x4 to 32x32 (width and height must be even)
• Named game configurations for quick setup

• Human - Interactive play via keyboard (console) or mouse (web)
• AI - Computer opponent using Minimax algorithm (depth 3)

• Standard checkers rules (draughts)
• Diagonal movement only
• Mandatory captures (forced eating)
• Chain captures (multiple jumps in one turn)
• King promotion when reaching opposite end
• Kings can move unlimited distance diagonally

• Save/load games mid-play
• Game history tracking with timestamps
• Winner detection and recording
• Auto-refresh for AI turns in web interface

• Arrow Keys - Navigate the board
• Enter - Select piece, then select destination
• Menu Navigation - Use arrow keys and Enter to navigate menus

# Build entire solution
dotnet build Checkers.sln

# Clean build artifacts
dotnet clean

# Restore NuGet packages
dotnet restore

Create a new migration:

dotnet ef migrations add MigrationName --project DAL.Db --startup-project ConsoleApp

Apply migrations:

dotnet ef database update --project DAL.Db --startup-project ConsoleApp

Remove last migration:

dotnet ef migrations remove --project DAL.Db --startup-project ConsoleApp

• Domain - Core entities and enums
• GameBrain - Game logic, move validation, AI implementation
• DAL - Data access interfaces
• DAL.Db - Entity Framework Core/SQLite implementation
• DAL.FileSystem - JSON file-based storage
• ConsoleUI - Console rendering with Spectre.Console
• MenuSystem - Reusable console menu framework
• ConsoleApp - Main CLI application
• WebApp - ASP.NET Core Razor Pages web interface
• MenuTestApp - Menu system testing utility

• .NET 9.0
• Entity Framework Core 9.0
• SQLite
• Spectre.Console (console UI)
• ASP.NET Core Razor Pages
• Bootstrap (web UI)

The project follows a layered architecture:

• Domain Layer - Entities and enums
• Data Access Layer - Repository pattern with two implementations
• Business Logic Layer - Game rules, AI, UI logic
• Presentation Layer - Console and web applications