diff --git a/build.gradle.kts b/build.gradle.kts
index 0a7e09f..dfefb89 100644
--- a/build.gradle.kts
+++ b/build.gradle.kts
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@ plugins {
     id("org.scoverage") version "8.1" apply false
     id("com.diffplug.spotless") version "8.4.0" apply false
     id("io.github.cosmicsilence.scalafix") version "0.2.6" apply false
+    id("me.champeau.jmh") version "0.7.2" apply false
 }
 
 group = "de.nowchess"
@@ -99,7 +100,8 @@ val versions = mapOf(
     "SCALA_PARSER_COMBINATORS" to "2.4.0",
     "FASTPARSE"             to "3.0.2",
     "JACKSON"               to "2.17.2",
-    "JACKSON_SCALA"         to "2.17.2"
+    "JACKSON_SCALA"         to "2.17.2",
+    "JMH"                   to "1.37"
 )
 extra["VERSIONS"] = versions
 
diff --git a/load-tests/README.md b/load-tests/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..371e669
--- /dev/null
+++ b/load-tests/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,100 @@
+# NowChess Load Testing with k6
+
+Performance testing suite for NowChess services using k6.
+
+## Installation
+
+```bash
+# Install k6 (macOS)
+brew install k6
+
+# Or download from https://k6.io/docs/getting-started/installation/
+```
+
+## Test Scenarios
+
+### 1. Ramp-Up Test
+Gradually increases load from 10 to 100 concurrent users.
+
+```bash
+k6 run ramp-up.js
+```
+
+Target: Identify system behavior under gradual load increase.
+
+### 2. Stress Test
+Incremental load increase up to 500 concurrent users to find breaking point.
+
+```bash
+k6 run stress-test.js
+```
+
+Target: Determine system capacity and failure point.
+
+### 3. Spike Test
+Sudden traffic surge (baseline 50 → 500 users instantly).
+
+```bash
+k6 run spike-test.js
+```
+
+Target: Test recovery and resilience to sudden spikes.
+
+### 4. Constant Load Test
+Maintains 50 VUs for 10 minutes.
+
+```bash
+k6 run constant-load.js
+```
+
+Target: Check stability under sustained load.
+
+## Environment Variables
+
+```bash
+# Override service endpoints
+export BASE_URL=http://localhost:8080
+export ACCOUNT_HOST=http://localhost:8083
+export STORE_HOST=http://localhost:8085
+
+k6 run ramp-up.js
+```
+
+## Prerequisites
+
+Ensure services are running:
+- Core: `localhost:8080`
+- Account: `localhost:8083`
+- Store: `localhost:8085`
+- Redis: `localhost:6379` (with increased pool size)
+
+## Metrics Interpretation
+
+- `http_req_duration`: Response time (p95, p99 percentiles matter most)
+- `http_req_failed`: Failed requests (connection errors, errors, non-2xx responses)
+- `vus`: Virtual Users (concurrent connections)
+- `iterations`: Completed test cycles per VU
+
+## Results
+
+k6 generates HTML report output. Use with:
+
+```bash
+k6 run --out=csv=results.csv ramp-up.js
+```
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+If you see:
+- **"max pool wait timeout"** → Redis pool still too small or maxWaitTime too short
+- **"connection refused"** → Service not running
+- **"high p99 latency"** → System approaching capacity
+
+Increase Redis pool settings in `modules/*/src/main/resources/application.yml`:
+```yaml
+quarkus:
+  redis:
+    pool:
+      max-size: 128  # Increase if still hitting limits
+      max-waiting: 256
+```
diff --git a/load-tests/config.js b/load-tests/config.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f93b932
--- /dev/null
+++ b/load-tests/config.js
@@ -0,0 +1,25 @@
+export const BASE_URL = __ENV.BASE_URL || 'http://localhost:8080';
+export const ACCOUNT_HOST = __ENV.ACCOUNT_HOST || 'http://localhost:8083';
+export const STORE_HOST = __ENV.STORE_HOST || 'http://localhost:8085';
+export const CORE_HOST = BASE_URL;
+
+export const ENDPOINTS = {
+  // Account endpoints
+  accountCreateUser: `${ACCOUNT_HOST}/api/account`,
+  accountLogin: `${ACCOUNT_HOST}/api/account/login`,
+  accountProfile: `${ACCOUNT_HOST}/api/account/me`,
+  accountPublicProfile: (username) => `${ACCOUNT_HOST}/api/account/${username}`,
+
+  // Store endpoints
+  storeGame: `${STORE_HOST}/api/games`,
+  storeGameById: (gameId) => `${STORE_HOST}/api/games/${gameId}`,
+
+  // Core endpoints (game operations)
+  gameWebSocket: (gameId) => `ws://localhost:8080/api/games/${gameId}/ws`,
+};
+
+export const TEST_USERS = [
+  { username: 'load-test-user-1', email: 'load1@example.com' },
+  { username: 'load-test-user-2', email: 'load2@example.com' },
+  { username: 'load-test-user-3', email: 'load3@example.com' },
+];
diff --git a/load-tests/constant-load.js b/load-tests/constant-load.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..9f05841
--- /dev/null
+++ b/load-tests/constant-load.js
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+import http from 'k6/http';
+import { check, sleep } from 'k6';
+import { ENDPOINTS } from './config.js';
+
+export const options = {
+  vus: 50,
+  duration: '10m',
+  thresholds: {
+    http_req_duration: ['p(95)<500', 'p(99)<1000'],
+    http_req_failed: ['rate<0.1'],
+  },
+};
+
+export default function () {
+  // Simulate consistent user traffic
+
+  // 1. Get account profile
+  const profileRes = http.get(ENDPOINTS.accountProfile);
+  check(profileRes, {
+    'profile status is 200 or 401': (r) => r.status === 200 || r.status === 401,
+  });
+
+  sleep(0.5);
+
+  // 2. Get public profile
+  const publicRes = http.get(ENDPOINTS.accountPublicProfile('testuser'));
+  check(publicRes, {
+    'public profile status ok': (r) => r.status > 0,
+  });
+
+  sleep(0.5);
+
+  // 3. List store games
+  const gamesRes = http.get(ENDPOINTS.storeGame);
+  check(gamesRes, {
+    'store games status ok': (r) => r.status > 0,
+  });
+
+  sleep(1);
+}
diff --git a/load-tests/ramp-up.js b/load-tests/ramp-up.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f18148a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/load-tests/ramp-up.js
@@ -0,0 +1,35 @@
+import http from 'k6/http';
+import { check, sleep } from 'k6';
+import { ENDPOINTS, ACCOUNT_HOST } from './config.js';
+
+export const options = {
+  stages: [
+    { duration: '1m', target: 10 },
+    { duration: '3m', target: 50 },
+    { duration: '5m', target: 100 },
+    { duration: '3m', target: 50 },
+    { duration: '1m', target: 0 },
+  ],
+  thresholds: {
+    http_req_duration: ['p(95)<500', 'p(99)<1000'],
+    http_req_failed: ['rate<0.1'],
+  },
+};
+
+export default function () {
+  // Test account endpoints
+  const accountRes = http.get(ENDPOINTS.accountPublicProfile('testuser'));
+  check(accountRes, {
+    'account endpoint status is 200': (r) => r.status === 200,
+  });
+
+  sleep(1);
+
+  // Test store endpoints
+  const storeRes = http.get(ENDPOINTS.storeGame);
+  check(storeRes, {
+    'store endpoint status is 200': (r) => r.status === 200 || r.status === 401,
+  });
+
+  sleep(1);
+}
diff --git a/load-tests/run-tests.sh b/load-tests/run-tests.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..0711820
--- /dev/null
+++ b/load-tests/run-tests.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,68 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+
+set -e
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+cd "$SCRIPT_DIR"
+
+# Colors for output
+RED='\033[0;31m'
+GREEN='\033[0;32m'
+BLUE='\033[0;34m'
+NC='\033[0m' # No Color
+
+# Default values
+TEST_TYPE="${1:-ramp-up}"
+BASE_URL="${BASE_URL:-http://localhost:8080}"
+OUTPUT_FILE="${2:-results-$(date +%s).csv}"
+
+echo -e "${BLUE}NowChess Load Test Runner${NC}"
+echo "Test Type: $TEST_TYPE"
+echo "Base URL: $BASE_URL"
+echo ""
+
+# Check if k6 is installed
+if ! command -v k6 &> /dev/null; then
+    echo -e "${RED}Error: k6 not found. Install from https://k6.io/docs/getting-started/installation/${NC}"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+case "$TEST_TYPE" in
+    ramp-up)
+        echo -e "${GREEN}Running Ramp-Up Test (10->100 VUs over 13 minutes)${NC}"
+        k6 run --out=csv=$OUTPUT_FILE ramp-up.js
+        ;;
+    stress)
+        echo -e "${GREEN}Running Stress Test (up to 500 VUs)${NC}"
+        k6 run --out=csv=$OUTPUT_FILE stress-test.js
+        ;;
+    spike)
+        echo -e "${GREEN}Running Spike Test (sudden 50->500 spike)${NC}"
+        k6 run --out=csv=$OUTPUT_FILE spike-test.js
+        ;;
+    constant)
+        echo -e "${GREEN}Running Constant Load Test (50 VUs for 10m)${NC}"
+        k6 run --out=csv=$OUTPUT_FILE constant-load.js
+        ;;
+    all)
+        echo -e "${GREEN}Running All Tests${NC}"
+        for test in ramp-up stress spike constant; do
+            echo ""
+            echo -e "${BLUE}Starting $test test...${NC}"
+            $0 $test
+            sleep 5
+        done
+        exit 0
+        ;;
+    *)
+        echo -e "${RED}Usage: $0 {ramp-up|stress|spike|constant|all} [output-file]${NC}"
+        echo ""
+        echo "Examples:"
+        echo "  $0 ramp-up"
+        echo "  $0 stress results.csv"
+        echo "  $0 all"
+        exit 1
+        ;;
+esac
+
+echo -e "${GREEN}Test complete. Results saved to $OUTPUT_FILE${NC}"
diff --git a/load-tests/spike-test.js b/load-tests/spike-test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..822f368
--- /dev/null
+++ b/load-tests/spike-test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+import http from 'k6/http';
+import { check, sleep } from 'k6';
+import { ENDPOINTS } from './config.js';
+
+export const options = {
+  stages: [
+    { duration: '1m', target: 50 },
+    { duration: '30s', target: 500, ramp: 'fast' },
+    { duration: '2m', target: 500 },
+    { duration: '30s', target: 50, ramp: 'fast' },
+    { duration: '1m', target: 0 },
+  ],
+  thresholds: {
+    http_req_duration: ['p(95)<2000', 'p(99)<5000'],
+    http_req_failed: ['rate<0.3'],
+  },
+};
+
+export default function () {
+  // Rapid account checks
+  const urls = [
+    ENDPOINTS.accountPublicProfile('testuser'),
+    ENDPOINTS.storeGame,
+    ENDPOINTS.accountProfile,
+  ];
+
+  urls.forEach((url) => {
+    const res = http.get(url);
+    check(res, {
+      'response received': (r) => r.status > 0,
+      'response time under 3s': (r) => r.timings.duration < 3000,
+    });
+  });
+
+  sleep(0.1);
+}
diff --git a/load-tests/stress-test.js b/load-tests/stress-test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..a1f01d0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/load-tests/stress-test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,38 @@
+import http from 'k6/http';
+import { check, sleep } from 'k6';
+import { ENDPOINTS } from './config.js';
+
+export const options = {
+  stages: [
+    { duration: '2m', target: 100 },
+    { duration: '5m', target: 200 },
+    { duration: '5m', target: 300 },
+    { duration: '5m', target: 400 },
+    { duration: '5m', target: 500 },
+    { duration: '5m', target: 400 },
+    { duration: '5m', target: 200 },
+    { duration: '2m', target: 0 },
+  ],
+  thresholds: {
+    http_req_duration: ['p(95)<1000', 'p(99)<2000'],
+    http_req_failed: ['rate<0.2'],
+  },
+};
+
+export default function () {
+  const userIndex = Math.floor(Math.random() * 10);
+
+  // Burst account endpoint
+  const accountRes = http.get(ENDPOINTS.accountPublicProfile(`user-${userIndex}`));
+  check(accountRes, {
+    'account endpoint responds': (r) => r.status > 0,
+  });
+
+  // Burst store endpoint
+  const storeRes = http.get(ENDPOINTS.storeGame);
+  check(storeRes, {
+    'store endpoint responds': (r) => r.status > 0,
+  });
+
+  sleep(Math.random() * 0.5);
+}
diff --git a/modules/benchmarks/.gitignore b/modules/benchmarks/.gitignore
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..285b6ba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/benchmarks/.gitignore
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+# Gradle
+.gradle/
+build/
+
+# Eclipse
+.project
+.classpath
+.settings/
+bin/
+
+# IntelliJ
+.idea
+*.ipr
+*.iml
+*.iws
+
+# NetBeans
+nb-configuration.xml
+
+# Visual Studio Code
+.vscode
+.factorypath
+
+# OSX
+.DS_Store
+
+# Vim
+*.swp
+*.swo
+
+# patch
+*.orig
+*.rej
+
+# Local environment
+.env
diff --git a/modules/benchmarks/README.md b/modules/benchmarks/README.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..8c4755b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/benchmarks/README.md
@@ -0,0 +1,77 @@
+# JMH Benchmarks
+
+Java Microbenchmark Harness (JMH) benchmarks for performance-critical components.
+
+## Building
+
+```bash
+./gradlew modules:benchmarks:jmhJar
+```
+
+Produces `modules/benchmarks/build/libs/benchmarks-1.0-SNAPSHOT-jmh.jar`.
+
+## Running Benchmarks
+
+Since these benchmarks are written in Scala, JMH auto-discovery via jar packaging doesn't work. Instead, run benchmarks via classpath:
+
+```bash
+./gradlew modules:benchmarks:run --args='de.nowchess.benchmarks.MoveBenchmark'
+```
+
+Or compile and run with explicit classpath:
+```bash
+./gradlew modules:benchmarks:compileScala
+java -cp "modules/benchmarks/build/classes/scala/main:modules/benchmarks/build/resources/main:$(./gradlew -q printClasspath)" \
+  org.openjdk.jmh.Main de.nowchess.benchmarks.MoveBenchmark
+```
+
+Adjust JMH options:
+- `-f 1` — 1 fork (faster iteration, less reliable)
+- `-i 3 -w 2` — 3 measurement iterations, 2 warmup iterations
+- `-bm avgt` — average time mode
+- `-tu us` — time unit (microseconds)
+
+Example:
+```bash
+java -cp "..." org.openjdk.jmh.Main de.nowchess.benchmarks.MoveBenchmark -f 1 -i 3 -w 2 -bm avgt
+```
+
+## Writing Benchmarks
+
+Create Scala class with `@Benchmark` methods:
+
+```scala
+@BenchmarkMode(Array(Mode.AverageTime, Mode.Throughput))
+@OutputTimeUnit(TimeUnit.MICROSECONDS)
+@State(Scope.Benchmark)
+@Fork(2)
+@Warmup(iterations = 3)
+@Measurement(iterations = 5)
+class SomeBenchmark {
+  @Setup(Level.Trial)
+  def setup(): Unit = ???
+
+  @org.openjdk.jmh.annotations.Benchmark
+  def benchmarkSomething(bh: Blackhole): Unit = {
+    val result = expensiveOperation()
+    bh.consume(result)  // Prevent dead-code elimination
+  }
+}
+```
+
+## Benchmark Modes
+
+- `AverageTime` — average execution time per operation
+- `Throughput` — operations per unit time
+- `SampleTime` — latency samples (min, max, percentiles)
+- `SingleShotTime` — total time to execute N ops once
+- `All` — run all modes
+
+## Limitations
+
+JMH's Gradle plugin doesn't fully support Scala annotation processing, so benchmarks must be run explicitly by class name rather than auto-discovered. This is a known limitation of JMH + Scala; consider Java-based benchmarks for full auto-discovery support.
+
+## References
+
+- [OpenJDK JMH](https://github.com/openjdk/jmh)
+- [JMH Samples](https://hg.openjdk.org/code-tools/jmh/file/tip/jmh-samples)
diff --git a/modules/benchmarks/build.gradle.kts b/modules/benchmarks/build.gradle.kts
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..db310ee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/benchmarks/build.gradle.kts
@@ -0,0 +1,61 @@
+plugins {
+    id("scala")
+    id("me.champeau.jmh")
+}
+
+group = "de.nowchess"
+version = "1.0-SNAPSHOT"
+
+@Suppress("UNCHECKED_CAST")
+val versions = rootProject.extra["VERSIONS"] as Map<String, String>
+
+repositories {
+    mavenCentral()
+}
+
+scala {
+    scalaVersion = versions["SCALA3"]!!
+}
+
+dependencies {
+    implementation("org.scala-lang:scala3-library_3") {
+        version {
+            strictly(versions["SCALA3"]!!)
+        }
+    }
+    compileOnly("org.scala-lang:scala3-compiler_3") {
+        version {
+            strictly(versions["SCALA3"]!!)
+        }
+    }
+
+    // Core modules for benchmarking
+    implementation(project(":modules:api"))
+    implementation(project(":modules:core"))
+    implementation(project(":modules:rule"))
+    implementation(project(":modules:bot-platform"))
+
+    // JMH (jmh configuration is for annotation processor + runtime)
+    implementation("org.openjdk.jmh:jmh-core:${versions["JMH"]!!}")
+    jmh("org.openjdk.jmh:jmh-core:${versions["JMH"]!!}")
+    jmh("org.openjdk.jmh:jmh-generator-annprocess:${versions["JMH"]!!}")
+}
+
+configurations.matching { !it.name.startsWith("jmh") }.configureEach {
+    resolutionStrategy.force("org.scala-lang:scala-library:${versions["SCALA_LIBRARY"]!!}")
+}
+
+jmh {
+    jmhVersion.set(versions["JMH"]!!)
+    includeTests.set(false)
+    duplicateClassesStrategy.set(DuplicatesStrategy.WARN)
+}
+
+tasks.withType<JavaCompile> {
+    options.encoding = "UTF-8"
+    options.compilerArgs.add("-parameters")
+}
+
+tasks.withType<org.gradle.api.tasks.scala.ScalaCompile> {
+    scalaCompileOptions.additionalParameters = listOf("-encoding", "UTF-8")
+}
diff --git a/modules/benchmarks/src/main/scala/de/nowchess/benchmarks/MoveBenchmark.scala b/modules/benchmarks/src/main/scala/de/nowchess/benchmarks/MoveBenchmark.scala
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..50ce446
--- /dev/null
+++ b/modules/benchmarks/src/main/scala/de/nowchess/benchmarks/MoveBenchmark.scala
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+package de.nowchess.benchmarks
+
+import org.openjdk.jmh.annotations.{BenchmarkMode, Fork, Measurement, OutputTimeUnit, Setup, State, Warmup}
+import org.openjdk.jmh.annotations.Mode
+import org.openjdk.jmh.annotations.Scope
+import org.openjdk.jmh.annotations.Level
+import org.openjdk.jmh.infra.Blackhole
+import de.nowchess.api.board.{File, Rank, Square}
+import de.nowchess.api.game.GameContext
+import de.nowchess.rules.sets.DefaultRules
+
+import java.util.concurrent.TimeUnit
+
+// scalafix:off DisableSyntax.var
+@BenchmarkMode(Array(Mode.AverageTime, Mode.Throughput))
+@OutputTimeUnit(TimeUnit.MICROSECONDS)
+@State(Scope.Benchmark)
+@Fork(value = 2, warmups = 1)
+@Warmup(iterations = 3, time = 1)
+@Measurement(iterations = 5, time = 1)
+class MoveBenchmark {
+  private var gameContext: GameContext = scala.compiletime.uninitialized
+
+  @Setup(Level.Trial)
+  def setup(): Unit =
+    gameContext = GameContext.initial
+
+  @org.openjdk.jmh.annotations.Benchmark
+  def benchmarkAllLegalMoves(bh: Blackhole): Unit = {
+    val moves = DefaultRules.allLegalMoves(gameContext)
+    bh.consume(moves)
+  }
+
+  @org.openjdk.jmh.annotations.Benchmark
+  def benchmarkIsCheck(bh: Blackhole): Unit = {
+    val inCheck = DefaultRules.isCheck(gameContext)
+    bh.consume(inCheck)
+  }
+
+  @org.openjdk.jmh.annotations.Benchmark
+  def benchmarkLegalMovesFirstSquare(bh: Blackhole): Unit = {
+    val firstSquare = Square(File.A, Rank.R2)
+    val moves       = DefaultRules.legalMoves(gameContext)(firstSquare)
+    bh.consume(moves)
+  }
+
+  @org.openjdk.jmh.annotations.Benchmark
+  def benchmarkIsCheckmate(bh: Blackhole): Unit = {
+    val result = DefaultRules.isCheckmate(gameContext)
+    bh.consume(result)
+  }
+}
diff --git a/settings.gradle.kts b/settings.gradle.kts
index 5912991..79565cb 100644
--- a/settings.gradle.kts
+++ b/settings.gradle.kts
@@ -26,4 +26,5 @@ include(
     "modules:ws",
     "modules:store",
     "modules:coordinator",
+    "modules:benchmarks",
 )
\ No newline at end of file