How I Built a Free Qwirkle Game in the Browser

Published: May 2025

Building a browser-based version of Qwirkle was both a fun challenge and a great learning experience. Here’s how I approached the project, from idea to launch.

Why Qwirkle?

Qwirkle is a fantastic board game that combines pattern recognition and strategy. I wanted to create a free online version so anyone could play against computer opponents, without needing to download anything or sign up.

Tech Stack

• Frontend: HTML5, CSS3 (SCSS), JavaScript (ES6 modules)
• Backend: Node.js with Express and EJS for server-side rendering
• Hosting: Firebase Hosting & Functions

Game Logic

The core of Qwirkle is tile placement and scoring. I wrote a custom game engine in JavaScript to handle the rules, validate moves, and calculate scores. The AI opponents use simple heuristics to make competitive moves.

Responsive Design

Making the game work well on both desktop and mobile was a priority. I used CSS Grid and Flexbox, along with media queries, to ensure the board and rack are easy to use on any device.

Challenges

• Implementing drag-and-drop that works on both desktop and touch devices
• Ensuring the AI plays valid and challenging moves
• Keeping the UI fast and responsive, even with a large board

Thanks for reading, and enjoy playing Qwirkle online!