Chess

This MCP server lets AI assistants play, analyze, and manage chess games through the Model Context Protocol. You can start new games, make moves in standard notation, get position analysis, and review game history, all while the server validates moves and maintains game state.

How to use

You will interact with the chess MCP server through an MCP client. Start a new game by asking your assistant to begin a chess match, then provide moves using standard algebraic notation such as e4, Nf3, or O-O. Request analyses to receive evaluations and suggested moves for the current board. You can also review the moves and positions from previous turns to track the game history. The server enforces legal moves and updates the board after every turn, ensuring a consistent game state throughout the session.

How to install

Prerequisites you need before installation:

Python 3.8 or higher

uvx package runner

How to install

1. Prepare your configuration file for MCP servers. The following entry defines the chess MCP server using uvx and a direct Git-based package source.

How to install

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "chess": {
      "command": "uvx",
      "args": [
        "--from",
        "git+https://github.com/chatkausik/Chess-mcp-server-build.git",
        "chess"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Configuration File Location

macOS: ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json; Windows: %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json; Linux: ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json.

How to install

2. Save the above configuration in the appropriate path for your operating system. Then ensure you have access to the uvx runner from your environment so the MCP server can be launched by your client.

How to install

3. Start your MCP-enabled client and connect to the chess server via the MCP interface. The client will load the chess server configuration and enable you to initiate games and issue moves.

Additional sections

Security and environment notes: no explicit runtime environment variables are shown for this server entry. Ensure your environment can reach the uvx runner and that the Git-based package source is accessible from your network. If you modify the configuration, restart your MCP client to pick up changes.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues, verify the following: the uvx runner is installed and in your PATH; the configuration file location matches your OS; you have network access to retrieve the package from the Git source; and you restart your MCP client after changes.

Notes

This server provides full chess rules, move validation, position analysis, and game history tracking, with support for standard chess notation and persistent game state within a session.

Tools available

playMove: Validate and apply a player move in algebraic notation, updating the board state.

Tools available

analyzePosition: Provide evaluations and suggested moves for the current board state.

Tools available

getGameHistory: Retrieve the sequence of moves and positions from the current or past games.

Tools available

validateMove: Verify that a proposed move is legal under chess rules and current game state.

Available tools

playMove

Validate and apply a player move in algebraic notation, updating the board state.

analyzePosition

Provide evaluations and suggested moves for the current board state.

getGameHistory

Retrieve the sequence of moves and positions from the current or past games.

validateMove

Verify that a proposed move is legal under chess rules and current game state.