Google’s ‘GenChess’ lets users design custom game pieces with AI

The intersection of artificial intelligence and classic board games continues to evolve with Google’s latest experimental project, which brings a creative twist to the ancient game of chess.

Project Overview: Google has launched GenChess, an AI experiment that allows users to create customized chess pieces using the sophisticated Imagen 3 model from Google DeepMind.

• The tool leverages the same AI technology that powers ImageFX and image creation in the Gemini chatbot
• Users can choose between classical chess pieces that maintain traditional forms or opt for more creative, experimental designs
• The system automatically generates a thematically complementary set for the opponent

Technical Foundation: GenChess is built on sophisticated AI technology that transforms user inputs into playable chess pieces while maintaining game functionality.

• The system utilizes Imagen 3, Google DeepMind’s advanced image generation model
• A structured prompting system guides users through the piece creation process
• The AI maintains chess piece recognizability while allowing for creative interpretation

User Experience: The platform combines creative freedom with practical gameplay elements to deliver an engaging chess experience.

• Players can input descriptive prompts to influence the style of their chess pieces
• The system cleverly generates thematically appropriate opponent sets (e.g., Mars-themed pieces versus Venus-themed pieces)
• Users can engage in timed matches against the computer with their custom pieces

Creative Examples: The AI demonstrates contextual understanding by creating complementary piece sets that maintain thematic coherence.

• When prompted with “dogs on the beach,” the system generates “cats on a catwalk” as the opposing set
• A user-created “avocado toast” themed set was matched with a “bacon and eggs” opponent set
• The system maintains visual clarity while allowing for creative interpretation of chess pieces

Future Implications: This experiment represents another step in Google’s ongoing exploration of AI applications in gaming and creative tools, suggesting a future where traditional games can be personalized while maintaining their core mechanics and rules.