4x4 Tic Tac Toe - Client-Server Edition

A modern 4x4 Tic Tac Toe game with client-server architecture where the AI logic runs on the server.

Architecture

• Client: HTML/CSS/JavaScript frontend that handles UI and user interactions
• Server: Node.js/Express backend that handles AI logic and game computations

Setup & Running

1. Install Server Dependencies

cd server
npm install

2. Start the Server

npm start
# or for development with auto-reload:
npm run dev

The server will run on http://localhost:3000

3. Open the Game

Open index.html in your browser, or serve it from the server at http://localhost:3000

Features

• 4x4 Grid: Win by getting 4 in a row (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal)
• Smart AI: Computer player uses minimax algorithm with optimizations
• Server-Side AI: All computer logic runs on the backend
• Fallback Mode: Client falls back to random moves if server is unavailable
• Responsive Design: Works on desktop and mobile devices
• Visual Feedback: Animations, win highlighting, and status updates

API Endpoints

• POST /api/computer-move - Get the computer's next move
• POST /api/check-game-state - Check current game state
• GET /api/health - Server health check

Game Rules

• Player X (human) goes first
• Win by getting 4 symbols in a row, column, or diagonal
• Game ends in a tie if the board fills without a winner