Design a backend for an online checkers game
Quick Overview
This question evaluates system design and backend engineering competencies, including authoritative game-state modeling, turn-based concurrency control, rule validation, API and data-model definition, persistence, and scalability for an online checkers game.
xAI
Feb 11, 2026, 12:00 AM
Software Engineer
Onsite
System Design
3
0
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Design the backend system for an online, turn-based checkers game.
Requirements
Cover (at minimum):
-
Core gameplay
- Create a new game and initialize the board.
- Make a move (validate legality).
- Apply captures (including multi-jump sequences).
- King promotion.
- Determine game end (win/lose/draw rules you choose, but state assumptions).
-
Multiplayer backend
- Two players per game; players take turns.
- Prevent cheating/tampering (server-authoritative state).
- Handle concurrent requests and duplicate submissions.
-
APIs and data model
- Define key endpoints (or RPCs), request/response shapes, and stored entities.
-
Scalability & reliability (high-level)
- Support many concurrent games.
- Reason about persistence, reconnection, and observability.
Follow-up
Point out which part(s) of your design/implementation are most worth optimizing and why (e.g., move validation, state representation, network updates).
Solution
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