diff --git a/backend/index.js b/backend/index.js
index 1bf6e10..6f70e8e 100644
--- a/backend/index.js
+++ b/backend/index.js
@@ -8,6 +8,29 @@ const app = express();
 app.use(cors());
 app.use(bodyParser.json());
 
+const fs = require('fs');
+const LOGFILE = process.env.CHESSNUT_LOG || '/tmp/chessnut.log';
+function appendLogLine(line){
+  try{ fs.appendFileSync(LOGFILE, line + '\n'); }catch(e){}
+}
+function log(){
+  const ts = new Date().toISOString();
+  const msg = Array.prototype.slice.call(arguments).map(x => (typeof x === 'string' ? x : JSON.stringify(x))).join(' ');
+  const line = `${ts} ${msg}`;
+  console.log(line);
+  appendLogLine(line);
+}
+
+// Request logging middleware: logs method, path, small subset of headers and body
+app.use((req, res, next) => {
+  try{
+    const { method, path } = req;
+    const info = { method, path, headers: { origin: req.headers.origin, host: req.headers.host }, body: req.body };
+    log('HTTP', info);
+  }catch(e){}
+  next();
+});
+
 const server = http.createServer(app);
 const io = new Server(server, { cors: { origin: '*' } });
 
@@ -118,10 +141,18 @@ setInterval(() => { pruneOrphans(); }, 60 * 1000);
 app.post('/api/join', (req, res) => {
   const { id, pass, nickname, colorChoice } = req.body || {};
   const g = games.find(x => x.id === id);
-  if(!g) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not found' });
+  if(!g) {
+    // log current games snapshot to help debugging
+    try{
+      const snapshot = games.map(x => ({ id: x.id, name: x.name, players: (x.players||[]).length, started: !!x.started }));
+      log('start failed - game not found', { requestedId: id, gamesSnapshot: snapshot });
+    }catch(e){ log('start failed - game not found (and failed to snapshot)'); }
+    return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not found' });
+  }
   if(g.pass && g.pass !== pass) return res.status(403).json({ error: 'bad password' });
   if(g.players.length >= 2) return res.status(403).json({ error: 'full' });
   const player = { id: 'p-' + Math.random().toString(36).slice(2,6), nickname: nickname || 'Anon', colorChoice: colorChoice || 'random', colorAssigned: null };
+  player.connected = true;
   g.players.push(player);
   io.to(g.id).emit('player-update', g);
   io.emit('games-list', games);
@@ -136,7 +167,9 @@ app.post('/api/leave', (req, res) => {
   const g = games[gIndex];
   const pIndex = g.players.findIndex(p => p.id === playerId);
   if(pIndex === -1) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'player not in game' });
-  // remove player
+  // do not allow leaving once game started
+  if (g.started) return res.status(403).json({ error: 'game in progress' });
+  // remove player (allowed only if game not started)
   const leaving = g.players.splice(pIndex, 1)[0];
   // if the leaving player was the owner, remove the entire game
   if(g.ownerId && leaving.id === g.ownerId){
@@ -156,18 +189,25 @@ app.get('/api/game/:id', (req, res) => {
   if(!g) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not found' });
   // if game exists but has no players, treat as not found and remove it
   if(!g.players || g.players.length === 0){
-    const idx = games.findIndex(x => x.id === id);
-    if(idx !== -1) games.splice(idx, 1);
-    return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not found' });
+    // only prune if game has not started
+    if (!g.started) {
+      const idx = games.findIndex(x => x.id === id);
+      if(idx !== -1) games.splice(idx, 1);
+      return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not found' });
+    }
   }
   res.json(g);
 });
 
 app.post('/api/start', (req, res) => {
   const { id } = req.body || {};
+  log('POST /api/start', { id, body: req.body });
   const g = games.find(x => x.id === id);
   if(!g) return res.status(404).json({ error: 'not found' });
-  if(g.players.length < 2) return res.status(400).json({ error: 'need 2 players' });
+  if(g.players.length < 2) {
+    log('start rejected: need 2 players', { gameId: id, players: g.players.map(p=>p.id) });
+    return res.status(400).json({ error: 'need 2 players' });
+  }
   // assign colors
   const p0 = g.players[0];
   const p1 = g.players[1];
@@ -183,17 +223,59 @@ app.post('/api/start', (req, res) => {
   }
   assign();
   g.started = true;
+  // Initialize a minimal game.state to be consumed by frontend.
+  // We avoid importing engine/ here: state is a plain JS structure describing the board.
+  // Board is an 8x8 array of cells; each cell is either null or { color: 'white'|'black', type: 'PAWN'|'ROOK'|... }
+  function initialState() {
+    const w = 8, h = 8;
+    const board = Array.from({ length: h }, () => Array.from({ length: w }, () => null));
+    // pawns
+    for (let x = 0; x < w; x++) {
+      board[1][x] = { color: 'white', type: 'PAWN' };
+      board[6][x] = { color: 'black', type: 'PAWN' };
+    }
+    // rooks
+    board[0][0] = { color: 'white', type: 'ROOK' };
+    board[0][7] = { color: 'white', type: 'ROOK' };
+    board[7][0] = { color: 'black', type: 'ROOK' };
+    board[7][7] = { color: 'black', type: 'ROOK' };
+    // knights
+    board[0][1] = { color: 'white', type: 'KNIGHT' };
+    board[0][6] = { color: 'white', type: 'KNIGHT' };
+    board[7][1] = { color: 'black', type: 'KNIGHT' };
+    board[7][6] = { color: 'black', type: 'KNIGHT' };
+    // bishops
+    board[0][2] = { color: 'white', type: 'BISHOP' };
+    board[0][5] = { color: 'white', type: 'BISHOP' };
+    board[7][2] = { color: 'black', type: 'BISHOP' };
+    board[7][5] = { color: 'black', type: 'BISHOP' };
+    // queen/king
+    board[0][3] = { color: 'white', type: 'QUEEN' };
+    board[0][4] = { color: 'white', type: 'KING' };
+    board[7][3] = { color: 'black', type: 'QUEEN' };
+    board[7][4] = { color: 'black', type: 'KING' };
+
+    return { board, width: w, height: h };
+  }
+
+  // only initialize if not already present
+  if (!g.state) {
+    g.state = initialState();
+  }
+  // set initial turn: white starts
+  g.turn = 'white';
+  log('start succeeded', { gameId: g.id, players: g.players.map(p => ({ id: p.id, nickname: p.nickname, colorAssigned: p.colorAssigned })) });
   io.to(g.id).emit('game-start', g);
   io.emit('games-list', games);
   res.json({ ok: true, game: g });
 });
 
 io.on('connection', (socket) => {
-  console.log('socket connected', socket.id);
+  log('socket connected', { socketId: socket.id, remote: socket.handshake && socket.handshake.address });
   socket.on('join-game', (gameId) => {
     const room = gameId;
     socket.join(room);
-    console.log(`${socket.id} joined room ${room}`);
+    log('join-game', { socketId: socket.id, room });
   });
   // client can identify which player it is in a game so server can map socket -> player
   socket.on('identify', (payload) => {
@@ -201,18 +283,69 @@ io.on('connection', (socket) => {
       const { gameId, playerId } = payload || {};
       if(gameId && playerId){
         socketMap.set(socket.id, { gameId, playerId });
-        console.log(`socket ${socket.id} identified as player ${playerId} in ${gameId}`);
+        log('identify', { socketId: socket.id, gameId, playerId });
       }
     }catch(e){ }
   });
   socket.on('move', (payload) => {
-    const { gameId } = payload;
-    socket.to(gameId).emit('move', payload);
+    try {
+      log('socket move', { socketId: socket.id, payload });
+      const { gameId, playerId, from, to } = payload || {};
+      const g = games.find(x => x.id === gameId);
+      if (!g) return;
+
+      // basic validation: must be started and it must be the player's turn
+      if (!g.started) return;
+
+      const player = g.players.find(p => p.id === playerId);
+      if (!player) return;
+      // determine player's color
+      const color = player.colorAssigned || (player.colorChoice === 'white' ? 'white' : (player.colorChoice === 'black' ? 'black' : null));
+      // if no assigned color (random choice), try to infer from players array
+      if (!color) {
+        if (g.players[0] && g.players[1]) {
+          // if not assigned, assume assignment as in /api/start logic
+          // fallback: first player white
+        }
+      }
+
+      // ensure it is this player's turn (simple toggle 'white'/'black')
+      if (g.turn && color && g.turn !== color) {
+        // not this player's turn
+        socket.emit('error', { error: 'not your turn' });
+        return;
+      }
+
+      // bounds check and cell existence
+      const h = g.state.height || g.state.board.length;
+      const w = g.state.width || (g.state.board[0] && g.state.board[0].length) || 8;
+      if (!from || !to) return;
+      if (from.x < 0 || from.x >= w || from.y < 0 || from.y >= h) return;
+      if (to.x < 0 || to.x >= w || to.y < 0 || to.y >= h) return;
+
+      const src = g.state.board[from.y][from.x];
+      if (!src) return; // no piece at source
+      if (src.color !== color) { socket.emit('error', { error: 'not your piece' }); return; }
+
+      // naive move apply: move piece from src to dest (no legality checks beyond ownership)
+      const dst = g.state.board[to.y][to.x];
+      // apply
+      g.state.board[to.y][to.x] = src;
+      g.state.board[from.y][from.x] = null;
+
+      // toggle turn
+      g.turn = g.turn === 'white' ? 'black' : 'white';
+
+      io.to(gameId).emit('move', { gameId, playerId, from, to });
+      io.to(gameId).emit('game-state', g.state);
+    } catch (e) {
+      console.error('move handler error', e && e.stack);
+    }
   });
 
   socket.on('disconnect', (reason) => {
-    // if we know which player this socket belonged to, remove them from the game
     const meta = socketMap.get(socket.id);
+    log('socket disconnect', { socketId: socket.id, reason, meta });
     if(!meta) return;
     const { gameId, playerId } = meta;
     socketMap.delete(socket.id);
@@ -221,9 +354,19 @@ io.on('connection', (socket) => {
     const g = games[gIndex];
     const pIndex = g.players.findIndex(p => p.id === playerId);
     if(pIndex === -1) return;
+    const player = g.players[pIndex];
+    // mark as disconnected instead of removing when game started
+    if (g.started) {
+      player.connected = false;
+      console.log(`socket ${socket.id} disconnected (${reason}), marked player ${player.id} disconnected in ${gameId}`);
+      io.to(gameId).emit('player-update', g);
+      io.emit('games-list', games);
+      return;
+    }
+    // if game not started, remove player as before
     const leaving = g.players.splice(pIndex, 1)[0];
     console.log(`socket ${socket.id} disconnected (${reason}), removed player ${leaving.id} from ${gameId}`);
-    // if owner left, delete the game
+    // if owner left and game not started, delete the game
     if(g.ownerId && leaving.id === g.ownerId){
       games.splice(gIndex, 1);
       io.emit('games-list', games);
diff --git a/frontend/public/game.html b/frontend/public/game.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d0b5a5e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/public/game.html
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+<!doctype html>
+<html lang="fr">
+<head>
+  <meta charset="utf-8" />
+  <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width,initial-scale=1" />
+  <title>ChessNut 1 Partie</title>
+  <link rel="stylesheet" href="src/styles.css">
+  <style>
+    /* Minimal board CSS: grid that adapts to container size */
+    .game-page{max-width:1000px;margin:12px auto;padding:8px}
+    #board-wrapper{width:100%;max-width:900px;margin:0 auto}
+    .board{display:grid;border:2px solid #333;box-sizing:border-box}
+    .row{display:contents}
+    .cell{position:relative;padding:0;overflow:hidden}
+    .cell .piece{width:100%;height:100%;object-fit:contain;display:block}
+    .cell.selected{outline:3px solid rgba(0,128,255,0.6);}
+    /* make board square and responsive: use a wrapper with aspect-ratio */
+    #board-wrapper .board{width:100%;aspect-ratio:1/1}
+    /* grid cells will be created dynamically via JS using grid-template */
+    #meta{margin-top:8px}
+  </style>
+</head>
+<body>
+  <div class="game-page">
+    <header><h1>Partie</h1></header>
+    <div id="meta">Chargement...</div>
+    <div id="board-wrapper"><div id="board-container"></div></div>
+    <div style="margin-top:8px">
+      <button id="leave">Quitter</button>
+    </div>
+  </div>
+
+  <script src="https://cdn.socket.io/4.5.4/socket.io.min.js"></script>
+  <script src="src/game.js?v=3"></script>
+  <script>
+    // small bootstrap: fetch initial game state and wire socket updates
+    (function(){
+      const qs = new URLSearchParams(window.location.search);
+      const gid = qs.get('game');
+      const meta = document.getElementById('meta');
+      if(!gid){ meta.textContent = 'Game ID manquant'; return; }
+      meta.textContent = 'Chargement de la partie ' + gid + '...';
+      // fetch initial state
+      fetch('/api/game/' + gid).then(r => r.ok ? r.json() : null).then(g => {
+        if(g && g.state && typeof renderBoardFromState === 'function') renderBoardFromState(g.state);
+        meta.textContent = 'Partie ' + (g && g.id ? g.id : gid);
+        // set globals expected by src/game.js so socket handlers attach correctly
+        try {
+          if(typeof currentGameId !== 'undefined') currentGameId = gid;
+          if(typeof myPlayerId !== 'undefined' && g && g.players && g.players[0]) myPlayerId = g.players[0].id;
+          if(typeof socket === 'undefined' || !socket){
+            socket = io();
+            socket.on('connect', () => { socket.emit('join-game', gid); socket.emit('identify', { gameId: gid, playerId: myPlayerId }); });
+            socket.on('game-state', (s) => { if(typeof renderBoardFromState === 'function') renderBoardFromState(s); if(typeof setMeta === 'function') setMeta('game-state updated'); });
+            socket.on('move', (m) => { if(typeof setMeta === 'function') setMeta('remote move ' + JSON.stringify(m)); });
+            socket.on('player-update', (g) => { if(typeof setMeta === 'function') setMeta('players updated'); });
+          }
+        } catch(e){ console.warn('socket init failed', e); }
+      }).catch(()=>{ meta.textContent = 'Impossible de charger la partie'; });
+
+      document.getElementById('leave').addEventListener('click', ()=>{ window.location.href = 'waiting.html?game=' + encodeURIComponent(gid); });
+    })();
+  </script>
+</body>
+</html>
diff --git a/frontend/public/index.html b/frontend/public/index.html
index dc626cc..97ae4fa 100644
--- a/frontend/public/index.html
+++ b/frontend/public/index.html
@@ -29,6 +29,17 @@
           </div>
         </div>
       </section>
+      <section id="board-section" class="hidden">
+        <div class="card">
+          <h2>Partie <span id="game-id"></span></h2>
+          <div>Rôle: <span id="player-role"></span></div>
+          <div id="board-container" style="margin-top:12px;"></div>
+          <div style="margin-top:12px;">
+            <button id="flip-btn">Retourner</button>
+            <button id="back-to-lobby">Retour au lobby</button>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      </section>
       <!-- waiting room is a separate page: waiting.html -->
     </main>
   </div>
diff --git a/frontend/public/src/waiting.js b/frontend/public/src/waiting.js
index b71bd1e..75b172d 100644
--- a/frontend/public/src/waiting.js
+++ b/frontend/public/src/waiting.js
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@ function qsParam(name){
 }
 
 const gameId = qsParam('game');
+console.log('[waiting.js] loaded - build: v2 -', { gameId, url: window.location.href });
 if(!gameId){ document.body.innerHTML = '<p>Game ID missing in URL</p>'; }
 else {
   // Query explicit backend first to avoid interpreting same-origin static 404 as game-deleted
@@ -22,6 +23,8 @@ else {
   }).then(g => {
     q('#wait-game-id').textContent = g.name || '';
     renderWaitingPlayers(g.players||[]);
+    // if game already started, redirect immediately to the game page
+    if (g.started) { window.location.href = `game.html?game=${g.id}`; return; }
     // display current player nick and color if we have a playerId
     const stored = sessionStorage.getItem(`playerId:${gameId}`);
     if(stored){
@@ -31,7 +34,10 @@ else {
     // owner-only start button
     const ownerId = g.players && g.players[0] && g.players[0].id;
     if(ownerId && stored && ownerId === stored){ q('#start-btn')?.classList.remove('hidden'); } else { q('#start-btn')?.classList.add('hidden'); }
-    if(!g.started) startPolling(gameId);
+      // disable start button unless there are at least 2 players
+      const startBtn = q('#start-btn');
+      if(startBtn){ if((g.players||[]).length < 2){ startBtn.disabled = true; } else { startBtn.disabled = false; } }
+  if(!g.started) startPolling(gameId);
     // try to connect socket.io for instant updates and identification
     tryConnectSocket(gameId);
   }).catch(()=>{
@@ -43,10 +49,15 @@ else {
     }).then(g=>{
       q('#wait-game-id').textContent = g.name || '';
       renderWaitingPlayers(g.players||[]);
+      // if game already started, redirect immediately to the game page
+      if (g.started) { window.location.href = `game.html?game=${g.id}`; return; }
       const stored = sessionStorage.getItem(`playerId:${gameId}`);
       if(stored){ const me = (g.players||[]).find(p=>p.id===stored); if(me){ q('#player-nick').textContent = 'Vous'; q('#player-color').textContent = me.colorChoice || '-'; } }
       const ownerId = g.players && g.players[0] && g.players[0].id;
       if(ownerId && stored && ownerId === stored){ q('#start-btn')?.classList.remove('hidden'); } else { q('#start-btn')?.classList.add('hidden'); }
+        // disable start button unless there are at least 2 players
+        const startBtn = q('#start-btn');
+        if(startBtn){ if((g.players||[]).length < 2){ startBtn.disabled = true; } else { startBtn.disabled = false; } }
       if(!g.started) startPolling(gameId);
       tryConnectSocket(gameId);
     }).catch(()=>{
@@ -81,8 +92,8 @@ function tryConnectSocket(gameId){
   });
   sock.on('game-start', (g) => {
     if(!g) return;
-    // redirect to game view (index) when started
-    window.location.href = `index.html?game=${g.id}`;
+    // redirect to game view when started
+    window.location.href = `game.html?game=${g.id}`;
   });
   sock.on('connect_error', (err) => {
     console.warn('socket connect error', err);
@@ -100,8 +111,10 @@ let poll = null;
 function startPolling(id){
   if(poll) clearInterval(poll);
   poll = setInterval(()=>{
-    fetch(`/api/game/${id}`).then(r=>{ if(!r.ok) throw new Error('no api'); return r.json(); }).then(g=>{ renderWaitingPlayers(g.players||[]); if(g.started){ clearInterval(poll); window.location.href = `index.html?game=${g.id}`; } }).catch(()=>{
-      fetch(`http://localhost:4000/api/game/${id}`).then(r=>r.json()).then(g=>{ renderWaitingPlayers(g.players||[]); if(g.started){ clearInterval(poll); window.location.href = `index.html?game=${g.id}`; } }).catch(()=>{});
+    // Prefer explicit backend host to avoid same-origin 404 from static server
+    fetch(`http://localhost:4000/api/game/${id}`).then(r=>{ if(!r.ok) throw new Error('no api'); return r.json(); }).then(g=>{ renderWaitingPlayers(g.players||[]); if(g.started){ clearInterval(poll); window.location.href = `game.html?game=${g.id}`; } }).catch(()=>{
+      // fallback to same-origin if backend not reachable
+      fetch(`/api/game/${id}`).then(r=>{ if(!r.ok) throw new Error('no api'); return r.json(); }).then(g=>{ renderWaitingPlayers(g.players||[]); if(g.started){ clearInterval(poll); window.location.href = `game.html?game=${g.id}`; } }).catch(()=>{});
     });
   }, 1000);
 }
@@ -109,8 +122,16 @@ function startPolling(id){
 // Join handled from lobby; waiting room doesn't provide a join button
 
 q('#start-btn')?.addEventListener('click', () => {
-  fetch('/api/start', { method: 'POST', headers: {'Content-Type':'application/json'}, body: JSON.stringify({ id: gameId }) })
-    .then(r=>{ if(!r.ok) throw new Error('start failed'); return r.json(); }).then(()=>{ alert('Partie démarrée'); }).catch(()=>{ alert('Impossible de démarrer'); });
+  // force explicit backend host (no fallback) so request always goes to :4000
+  console.log('[waiting] start click - POST to http://localhost:4000/api/start', { gameId });
+  fetch('http://localhost:4000/api/start', { method: 'POST', headers: {'Content-Type':'application/json'}, body: JSON.stringify({ id: gameId }) })
+    .then(async (r) => {
+      const body = await r.json().catch(()=>({}));
+      if(!r.ok) throw body;
+      return body;
+    })
+    .then((resp)=>{ try { window.location.href = `game.html?game=${resp.game.id}`; } catch(e) { alert('Partie démarrée'); } })
+    .catch((err)=>{ const msg = (err && err.error) ? err.error : (typeof err === 'string' ? err : JSON.stringify(err)); alert('Impossible de démarrer: ' + msg); console.error('start error', err); });
 });
 
 q('#leave-btn')?.addEventListener('click', () => {
diff --git a/frontend/public/waiting.html b/frontend/public/waiting.html
index 50b37b6..d6884ba 100644
--- a/frontend/public/waiting.html
+++ b/frontend/public/waiting.html
@@ -28,6 +28,6 @@
   </div>
 
   <script src="https://cdn.socket.io/4.5.4/socket.io.min.js"></script>
-  <script src="src/waiting.js?v=2"></script>
+  <script src="src/waiting.js?v=3"></script>
 </body>
 </html>
diff --git a/frontend/src/game.js b/frontend/src/game.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..68e1944
--- /dev/null
+++ b/frontend/src/game.js
@@ -0,0 +1,134 @@
+const q = s => document.querySelector(s);
+
+// socket variable will be initialized on first load/join
+let socket = null;
+let myPlayerId = null;
+let currentGameId = null;
+let selected = null; // {x,y}
+
+function renderBoardFromState(state) {
+  const container = q('#board-container');
+  container.innerHTML = '';
+  const boardEl = document.createElement('div');
+  boardEl.className = 'board';
+
+  const h = state.height || state.board.length;
+  const w = state.width || (state.board[0] && state.board[0].length) || 8;
+
+  for (let r = 0; r < h; r++) {
+    const row = document.createElement('div');
+    row.className = 'row';
+    for (let c = 0; c < w; c++) {
+      const cell = document.createElement('div');
+      cell.className = 'cell';
+      cell.dataset.x = c;
+      cell.dataset.y = r;
+      const piece = document.createElement('img');
+      piece.className = 'piece';
+
+      const cellObj = state.board[r] && state.board[r][c];
+      if (cellObj) {
+        const t = cellObj.type || 'PAWN';
+        const color = (cellObj.color || 'white').toLowerCase();
+        const lookup = {
+          PAWN: `assets/chess-pieces/chess_maestro_bw/${color[0] === 'w' ? 'wP' : 'bP'}.svg`,
+          ROOK: `assets/chess-pieces/chess_maestro_bw/${color[0] === 'w' ? 'wR' : 'bR'}.svg`,
+          KNIGHT: `assets/chess-pieces/chess_maestro_bw/${color[0] === 'w' ? 'wN' : 'bN'}.svg`,
+          BISHOP: `assets/chess-pieces/chess_maestro_bw/${color[0] === 'w' ? 'wB' : 'bB'}.svg`,
+          QUEEN: `assets/chess-pieces/chess_maestro_bw/${color[0] === 'w' ? 'wQ' : 'bQ'}.svg`,
+          KING: `assets/chess-pieces/chess_maestro_bw/${color[0] === 'w' ? 'wK' : 'bK'}.svg`,
+        };
+        piece.src = lookup[t] || lookup.PAWN;
+      } else {
+        piece.style.display = 'none';
+      }
+
+      cell.appendChild(piece);
+      row.appendChild(cell);
+      // click to select/move
+      cell.addEventListener('click', () => {
+        // if no game/socket, ignore
+        if (!currentGameId) return;
+        const x = parseInt(cell.dataset.x, 10);
+        const y = parseInt(cell.dataset.y, 10);
+        if (!selected) {
+          selected = { x, y };
+          cell.classList.add('selected');
+          setMeta('Selected ' + x + ',' + y);
+        } else {
+          // send move
+          const from = selected;
+          const to = { x, y };
+          selected = null;
+          // clear previously selected class
+          document.querySelectorAll('.cell.selected').forEach(el => el.classList.remove('selected'));
+          setMeta('Sending move ' + from.x + ',' + from.y + ' -> ' + to.x + ',' + to.y);
+          if (socket && myPlayerId && currentGameId) socket.emit('move', { gameId: currentGameId, playerId: myPlayerId, from, to });
+        }
+      });
+    }
+    boardEl.appendChild(row);
+  }
+  container.appendChild(boardEl);
+}
+
+function setMeta(text) { q('#meta').textContent = text; }
+
+q('#create-only')?.addEventListener('click', async () => {
+  const name = q('#game-name').value || 'game-from-ui';
+  const res = await fetch('/api/create', { method: 'POST', headers: {'Content-Type':'application/json'}, body: JSON.stringify({ name, ownerNickname: 'ui-host' }) });
+  const j = await res.json();
+  setMeta('Created: ' + j.game.id);
+  q('#game-id-input').value = j.game.id;
+});
+
+q('#create-start')?.addEventListener('click', async () => {
+  const name = q('#game-name').value || 'game-from-ui';
+  // create
+  const createResp = await fetch('/api/create', { method: 'POST', headers: {'Content-Type':'application/json'}, body: JSON.stringify({ name, ownerNickname: 'ui-host' }) });
+  const createJson = await createResp.json();
+  const id = createJson.game.id;
+  setMeta('Created: ' + id + ' — joining as second player...');
+  // join as second player
+  await fetch('/api/join', { method: 'POST', headers: {'Content-Type':'application/json'}, body: JSON.stringify({ id, nickname: 'ui-guest' }) });
+  setMeta('Joined — starting...');
+  const startResp = await fetch('/api/start', { method: 'POST', headers: {'Content-Type':'application/json'}, body: JSON.stringify({ id }) });
+  const startJson = await startResp.json();
+  setMeta('Started: ' + id);
+  if (startJson.game && startJson.game.state) renderBoardFromState(startJson.game.state);
+  // connect socket and join room as the guest player we created earlier
+  currentGameId = id;
+  // try to capture the second player id from server game.players
+  const players = startJson.game.players || [];
+  if (players[1]) myPlayerId = players[1].id; else if (players[0]) myPlayerId = players[0].id;
+  if (!socket) {
+    socket = io();
+    socket.on('connect', () => { socket.emit('join-game', currentGameId); socket.emit('identify', { gameId: currentGameId, playerId: myPlayerId }); });
+    socket.on('game-state', (s) => { renderBoardFromState(s); setMeta('game-state updated'); });
+    socket.on('move', (m) => { setMeta('remote move ' + JSON.stringify(m)); });
+    socket.on('player-update', (g) => { setMeta('players updated'); });
+    socket.on('error', (e) => { console.warn('socket error', e); setMeta('Socket error: ' + (e && e.error)); });
+  }
+});
+
+q('#load')?.addEventListener('click', async () => {
+  const id = q('#game-id-input').value;
+  if(!id) return setMeta('Enter a game id');
+  const res = await fetch('/api/game/' + id).catch(e => null);
+  if(!res || !res.ok) return setMeta('Game not found or backend unreachable');
+  const j = await res.json();
+  setMeta('Loaded: ' + id + ' (started=' + !!j.started + ')');
+  if (j.state && j.state.board) renderBoardFromState(j.state);
+  // wire socket to listen to updates in this game
+  currentGameId = id;
+  // choose a player id if any exists (by default pick first)
+  if (j.players && j.players.length > 0) myPlayerId = j.players[0].id;
+  if (!socket) {
+    socket = io();
+    socket.on('connect', () => { socket.emit('join-game', currentGameId); socket.emit('identify', { gameId: currentGameId, playerId: myPlayerId }); });
+    socket.on('game-state', (s) => { renderBoardFromState(s); setMeta('game-state updated'); });
+    socket.on('move', (m) => { setMeta('remote move ' + JSON.stringify(m)); });
+    socket.on('player-update', (g) => { setMeta('players updated'); });
+    socket.on('error', (e) => { console.warn('socket error', e); setMeta('Socket error: ' + (e && e.error)); });
+  }
+});
diff --git a/frontend/src/main.js b/frontend/src/main.js
index e38356d..2ef5d0e 100644
--- a/frontend/src/main.js
+++ b/frontend/src/main.js
@@ -11,7 +11,18 @@ function showBoard(gameId, role) {
   q('#board-section')?.classList?.remove('hidden');
   q('#game-id').textContent = gameId;
   q('#player-role').textContent = role;
-  renderBoard(role === 'white');
+
+  // Try to fetch the server-provided game.state. If present, render from state.board.
+  fetch(`/api/game/${gameId}`).then(r => { if(!r.ok) throw new Error('no api'); return r.json(); }).then(g => {
+    if (g && g.state && g.state.board) {
+      renderBoardFromState(g.state, role === 'white');
+    } else {
+      renderBoard(role === 'white');
+    }
+  }).catch(() => {
+    // fallback to static local render
+    renderBoard(role === 'white');
+  });
 }
 
 q('#create-btn').addEventListener('click', () => {
@@ -105,6 +116,7 @@ q('#leave-btn')?.addEventListener('click', () => showLobby());
 q('#flip-btn')?.addEventListener('click', () => { const board = q('#board-container'); board.classList.toggle('flipped'); });
 
 function renderBoard(asWhite=true) {
+  // legacy static render (used as fallback)
   const container = q('#board-container');
   if(!container) return;
   container.innerHTML = '';
@@ -132,8 +144,64 @@ function renderBoard(asWhite=true) {
   container.appendChild(board);
 }
 
+function renderBoardFromState(state, asWhite = true) {
+  const container = q('#board-container');
+  if(!container) return;
+  container.innerHTML = '';
+  const boardEl = document.createElement('div');
+  boardEl.className = 'board';
+  if (!asWhite) boardEl.classList.add('flipped');
+
+  const h = state.height || state.board.length;
+  const w = state.width || (state.board[0] && state.board[0].length) || 8;
+
+  for (let r = 0; r < h; r++) {
+    const row = document.createElement('div');
+    row.className = 'row';
+    for (let c = 0; c < w; c++) {
+      const cell = document.createElement('div');
+      cell.className = 'cell';
+      const piece = document.createElement('img');
+      piece.className = 'piece';
+
+      const cellObj = state.board[r] && state.board[r][c];
+      if (cellObj) {
+        // map type/color to an asset - minimal mapping for common pieces
+        const t = cellObj.type || 'PAWN';
+        const color = (cellObj.color || 'white').toLowerCase();
+        const lookup = {
+          PAWN: `assets/chess-pieces/chess_maestro_bw/${color[0] === 'w' ? 'wP' : 'bP'}.svg`,
+          ROOK: `assets/chess-pieces/chess_maestro_bw/${color[0] === 'w' ? 'wR' : 'bR'}.svg`,
+          KNIGHT: `assets/chess-pieces/chess_maestro_bw/${color[0] === 'w' ? 'wN' : 'bN'}.svg`,
+          BISHOP: `assets/chess-pieces/chess_maestro_bw/${color[0] === 'w' ? 'wB' : 'bB'}.svg`,
+          QUEEN: `assets/chess-pieces/chess_maestro_bw/${color[0] === 'w' ? 'wQ' : 'bQ'}.svg`,
+          KING: `assets/chess-pieces/chess_maestro_bw/${color[0] === 'w' ? 'wK' : 'bK'}.svg`,
+        };
+        piece.src = lookup[t] || lookup.PAWN;
+      } else {
+        piece.style.display = 'none';
+      }
+
+      cell.appendChild(piece);
+      row.appendChild(cell);
+    }
+    boardEl.appendChild(row);
+  }
+
+  container.appendChild(boardEl);
+}
+
 // initial view
-showLobby();
+// initial view
+// If URL contains ?game=..., directly open the board view
+const params = new URLSearchParams(window.location.search);
+const initialGame = params.get('game');
+if (initialGame) {
+  // assign a default role (will be refreshed when fetching game state)
+  showBoard(initialGame, 'white');
+} else {
+  showLobby();
+}
 
 // waiting room helpers
 let pollInterval = null;
diff --git a/frontend/src/waiting.js b/frontend/src/waiting.js
index 0783a0a..e19ae76 100644
--- a/frontend/src/waiting.js
+++ b/frontend/src/waiting.js
@@ -31,8 +31,8 @@ let poll = null;
 function startPolling(id){
   if(poll) clearInterval(poll);
   poll = setInterval(()=>{
-    fetch(`/api/game/${id}`).then(r=>{ if(!r.ok) throw new Error('no api'); return r.json(); }).then(g=>{ renderWaitingPlayers(g.players||[]); if(g.started){ clearInterval(poll); window.location.href = `index.html?game=${g.id}`; } }).catch(()=>{
-      fetch(`http://localhost:4000/api/game/${id}`).then(r=>r.json()).then(g=>{ renderWaitingPlayers(g.players||[]); if(g.started){ clearInterval(poll); window.location.href = `index.html?game=${g.id}`; } }).catch(()=>{});
+    fetch(`/api/game/${id}`).then(r=>{ if(!r.ok) throw new Error('no api'); return r.json(); }).then(g=>{ renderWaitingPlayers(g.players||[]); if(g.started){ clearInterval(poll); window.location.href = `game.html?game=${g.id}`; } }).catch(()=>{
+        fetch(`http://localhost:4000/api/game/${id}`).then(r=>r.json()).then(g=>{ renderWaitingPlayers(g.players||[]); if(g.started){ clearInterval(poll); window.location.href = `game.html?game=${g.id}`; } }).catch(()=>{});
     });
   }, 1000);
 }
@@ -46,5 +46,11 @@ q('#join-btn')?.addEventListener('click', () => {
 
 q('#start-btn')?.addEventListener('click', () => {
   fetch('/api/start', { method: 'POST', headers: {'Content-Type':'application/json'}, body: JSON.stringify({ id: gameId }) })
-    .then(r=>{ if(!r.ok) throw new Error('start failed'); return r.json(); }).then(()=>{ alert('Partie démarrée'); }).catch(()=>{ alert('Impossible de démarrer'); });
+    .then(r=>{ if(!r.ok) throw new Error('start failed'); return r.json(); }).then((res)=>{
+      // If backend confirms, go to game page
+      window.location.href = `game.html?game=${gameId}`;
+    }).catch(()=>{
+      // If backend absent, still attempt to open the game page — polling may still load state from localStorage/backends
+      window.location.href = `game.html?game=${gameId}`;
+    });
 });