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En Croissant includes a built-in play mode that lets you play chess games against engines or human opponents, with configurable time controls and full game recording.

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Starting a new game

1

Open the home screen

From any tab, click the + button to open a new tab, which shows the home screen.
2

Select Play Chess

Click the Play Chess card to start a new game.
3

Configure your opponent

Choose whether to play against a human or an engine.
4

Set time controls (optional)

Configure time controls for both players, or play without a clock.
5

Start playing

Make your moves on the board. The game is automatically saved.

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Playing against an engine

When playing against an engine, you can configure:
  • Engine selection: Choose from any installed UCI engine
  • Engine strength: Configure search depth, time limits, or nodes
  • Engine settings: Adjust hash size, threads, and other UCI parameters
  • Side selection: Play as White or Black

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Engine modes

The engine searches to a fixed depth (number of half-moves).
  • Use for: Consistent strength, reproducible games
  • Example: Depth 15 for intermediate level
Lower depth values (8-12) create easier opponents, while higher depths (16-20) provide strong play.

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Playing against a human

When playing against another human player:
  • Time controls: Set up classical, rapid, or blitz time controls
  • Increment: Add time per move (Fischer increment)
  • Player names: Optionally name both players for game records

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Time control examples

Classical

30 minutes + 30 seconds increment per move

Rapid

10 minutes + 0 seconds increment per move

Blitz

3 minutes + 2 seconds increment per move

Bullet

1 minute + 0 seconds increment per move

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Time controls

Configure time controls for your games:
  • Initial time: Starting time on the clock
  • Increment: Time added after each move (Fischer timing)
  • Time units: Choose seconds or minutes
Time controls are optional. You can play without a clock by leaving the time control unconfigured.

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Game features

During a game:
  • Move takebacks: Undo moves during play (configurable)
  • Position evaluation: See engine evaluation while playing
  • Move history: Navigate through the game moves
  • Save game: Games are automatically saved with headers

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After the game

Once a game is complete:
  • Game result: Mark the result (1-0, 0-1, 1/2-1/2)
  • Add headers: Edit player names, event, date
  • Analyze: Switch to analysis mode to review the game
  • Export: Save as PGN for future study
All played games are saved and can be reopened from the Files tab for later analysis.

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Keyboard shortcuts

  • Flip board: F - Flip the board orientation
  • Takeback: Ctrl+Z (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Z (macOS) - Undo last move
  • Navigation: Arrow keys to move through the game

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Best practices

Play against engines at slightly higher strength than your level. Use post-game analysis to understand mistakes.
Practice time controls similar to your online or tournament play to develop time management skills.
After each game, switch to analysis mode and review critical moments with engine assistance.

Engine Analysis

Analyze your games with engines

Engine Configuration

Set up and optimize engines

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