User Builds Chess Coaching Website with OpenClaw and AI in Four Days

A Reddit user documented building a functional chess coaching website in four days without any prior coding experience, using OpenClaw and the Loveable platform.

Development Process

The user started with no knowledge of terminal usage, having only heard about OpenClaw from a Lex Friedman podcast. They installed it via TUI (Terminal User Interface) on an old MacBook by "brute force" and relied on AI assistance to troubleshoot problems throughout the process.

Website Concept: ElucidateChess

The resulting website, named ElucidateChess, addresses a specific gap in chess learning tools. While chess engines can indicate optimal moves, they don't explain the reasoning behind them. The user observed that beginners often sit silently during analysis, potentially due to embarrassment rather than calculation.

The platform forces students to verbalize their thought process for each move, requiring them to "elucidate their thoughts" with actual words. An AI chess engine then grades both the move and the justification provided, creating a progression system where students "move up the ladder" based on their performance.

Tools Used

• OpenClaw: The primary AI coding assistant used for development guidance and problem-solving.
• Loveable: A platform used alongside OpenClaw to build the website.
• Terminal/TUI: The installation method, which was new to the user.

The user describes OpenClaw as "a drop everything and get onboard type of movement," emphasizing its practical utility in their rapid development process.