I added basic matchmaking functionality to Cooperative Chess. You can now indicate your desire to play in a temporary room with another player in any of the default (Easy, Normal, or Hard) difficulties. On a related but different note, I find that I typically play Co-op Chess with voice over discord, and in doing so realize that there are certain types of information that I find it's more fun when I convey it (things like "I think we can bonus" or "I see checkmate"). I want to know if players want a feature with canned phrases like this, so I posted a question in the Cooperative Chess discussion forum. Any feedback there would be appreciated. Thanks!

I decided to allow the tutorial to be opt in based on post-launch feedback. I had also already wanted to add a reminder that the ultimate goal is checkmate for either side. So I took the opportunity to add a dismissible rules card that shows up during play, which also includes the basic round goal and can serve as a tutorial replacement for players that prefer to learn hands on.

The creator of Cooperative Chess plays a few games with Manadream who did the cover art and had been along of the whole journey.

It is with some reluctance that I send this announcement. I found myself increasingly unmotivated to continue work on Cooperative Chess, and the technical problems I continued to encounter surrounding electron and Steam, while surmountable, didn't feel worth tackling. So I've decided to make Cooperative Chess entirely free (ok I added a small speed bump to sign up for my newsletter, but that's it). And Cooperative Chess, which is made entirely with web technology, will remain only on the web (so not on Steam) and can now be accessed for free either through itch.io or hosted directly at my website https://marplebot.com/coopchess. Thank you for showing interest in Co-op Chess, and I hope you have fun playing!

I will be playing Cooperative Chess with fellow Molasses Jam developer Patrick Riordan (who is showing his game My Cousin the Rogue at Steam Next Fest as well). Come see what it's like to play chess without trying to dominate the other player! I'll also be fielding any questions that appear in chat. So drop by if you've got any burning questions and I'll do my best to provide the soothing aloe of satisfactory answers.

I will be playing Cooperative Chess with fellow Molasses Jam developer and cover artist for Cooperative Chess Manadream (who is showing their game Shell Out Showdown at Steam Next Fest as well). Come see what it's like to play chess without trying to dominate the other player! I'll also be fielding any questions that appear in chat. So drop by if you've got any burning questions and I'll do my best to provide the soothing aloe of satisfactory answers.