ChessCraft

⭐ — (65 endorsements) 📥 3,971 downloads 📌 v0.5.5 📅 2/15/2023
🟡 Updated this year

By jpenilla · minigame

⬇ Download Mod Source: Modrinth ↗ 📅 Updated: 6/30/2026 📅 Created: 2/15/2023

🔍 Analysis

  • 👍 1.6% endorsement rate — high engagement, a strong quality signal
  • 🏆 #4 of 16 minigame mods in this game by downloads

📋 About This Mod

✅ In-world chess matches, reminiscent of life-size chess boards.
✅ Automatic downloading of the correct Stockfish (chess engine powering ChessCraft) executable for your platform.
✅ Stores history of paused/incomplete and completed matches
✅ Export matches in PGN format for external analysis
✅ Elo rating system for PvP matches with server leaderboard

# ChessCraft ChessCraft is a Paper plugin that adds in-world chess matches against other players and chess engines. With ChessCraft, players can challenge each other to intense chess battles in a Minecraft environment. ## Features - In-world chess matches, reminiscent of life-size chess boards. - Pieces: Supports both custom models through a resource pack (linked below), and using textured player heads for resource pack free use. - Automatic downloading of the correct Stockfish (chess engine powering ChessCraft) executable for your platform. - Stores history of paused/incomplete and completed matches - Export matches in PGN format for external analysis - Elo rating system for PvP matches with server leaderboard ## Download Downloads can be obtained here on Modrinth. <details> <summary>Development builds</summary> > Development builds are available at https://jenkins.jpenilla.xyz/job/ChessCraft </details> ## Installation To install ChessCraft, simply drop the plugin into your Paper server's `plugins` folder. The configuration can be adjusted at `plugins/ChessCraft/config.yml`. By default, ChessCraft will be configured for use with a resource pack containing custom models for chess pieces. It can be downloaded (https://github.com/jpenilla/chesscraft/raw/master/resources/ChessCraft_Resource_Pack.zip). You can either have your players manually install it, or set it as your server resource pack/merge its contents into your existing server resource pack. ## Usage First, you must create a chessboard by standing at the desired location for the southwest corner of the board and using the `/chess create_board <board_name> <facing>` command. Then, use the `/chess challenge player|cpu` commands to challenge an opponent. That's all! Now you can right-click the pieces to start making moves! Chess boards will not automatically place or remove blocks from the world (besides the pieces if configured to use block pieces), they will only manage pieces. This is to allow building your chess board in any way you like. However, the `/chess set_checkerboard` command can be used to automatically place blocks for a standard board.

# ChessCraft

ChessCraft is a Paper plugin that adds in-world chess matches against other players and chess engines. With ChessCraft, players can challenge each other to intense chess battles in a Minecraft environment.

## Features

  • In-world chess matches, reminiscent of life-size chess boards.
  • Pieces: Supports both custom models through a resource pack (linked below), and using textured player heads for resource pack free use.
  • Automatic downloading of the correct Stockfish (chess engine powering ChessCraft) executable for your platform.
  • Stores history of paused/incomplete and completed matches
  • Export matches in PGN format for external analysis
  • Elo rating system for PvP matches with server leaderboard

## Download

Downloads can be obtained here on Modrinth.

Development builds

> Development builds are available at https://jenkins.jpenilla.xyz/job/ChessCraft

## Installation

To install ChessCraft, simply drop the plugin into your Paper server's `plugins` folder. The configuration can be adjusted at `plugins/ChessCraft/config.yml`.

By default, ChessCraft will be configured for use with a resource pack containing custom models for chess pieces. It can be downloaded (https://github.com/jpenilla/chesscraft/raw/master/resources/ChessCraft_Resource_Pack.zip). You can either have your players manually install it, or set it as your server resource pack/merge its contents into your existing server resource pack.

First, you must create a chessboard by standing at the desired location for the southwest corner of the board and using the `/chess create_board ` command.

Then, use the `/chess challenge player|cpu` commands to challenge an opponent. That's all! Now you can right-click the pieces to start making moves!

Chess boards will not automatically place or remove blocks from the world (besides the pieces if configured to use block pieces), they will only manage pieces. This is to allow building your chess board in any way you like. However, the `/chess set_checkerboard` command can be used to automatically place blocks for a standard board.

🤖 AI-enhanced — based on mod data

📊 Mod Details

Game
Minecraft Plugins
Author
jpenilla
Version
0.5.5
Downloads
3,971
Endorsements
65
Category
minigame
Created
2/15/2023
Updated
6/30/2026
Game Versions
1.21.4, 1.21.5, 1.21.6, 1.21.7, 1.21.8
Tags
minigame

🔧 How to Install Minecraft Plugins Mods

Download from Modrinth. Use Prism Launcher or drop into your mods folder.

📖 Full step-by-step install guide for Minecraft Plugins →

Visit the official mod page for specific installation instructions for this mod.

🎮 Need cheat codes or console commands? Check ur gaming wiki for Minecraft Plugins commands, item IDs, and more.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Which Minecraft Plugins versions does ChessCraft support?

The author lists 1.21.4, 1.21.5, 1.21.6, 1.21.7, 1.21.8, 1.21.9. Other versions may work but are untested by the author.

What is the latest version of ChessCraft?

Version 0.5.5, published 2026-06-30 with 3,971 downloads recorded at the source.

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