diff --git a/css/main.css b/css/main.css
index 5ad1089..9327ff3 100644
--- a/css/main.css
+++ b/css/main.css
@@ -46,6 +46,8 @@ body {
     display: flex;
     gap: 2rem;
     font-size: 1rem;
+    flex-wrap: wrap;
+    align-items: center;
 }
 
 .game-status span {
@@ -54,10 +56,43 @@ body {
     border-radius: 4px;
 }
 
+.status-message {
+    display: none;
+    padding: 0.75rem 1rem;
+    border-radius: 4px;
+    font-weight: 500;
+    text-align: center;
+    animation: fadeIn 0.3s ease-in;
+    flex: 1 0 100%;
+}
+
+.status-message.info {
+    background-color: #d1ecf1;
+    color: #0c5460;
+    border: 1px solid #bee5eb;
+}
+
+.status-message.success {
+    background-color: #d4edda;
+    color: #155724;
+    border: 1px solid #c3e6cb;
+}
+
+.status-message.error {
+    background-color: #f8d7da;
+    color: #721c24;
+    border: 1px solid #f5c6cb;
+}
+
+@keyframes fadeIn {
+    from { opacity: 0; transform: translateY(-10px); }
+    to { opacity: 1; transform: translateY(0); }
+}
+
 .game-container {
     flex: 1;
     display: grid;
-    grid-template-columns: 1fr 3fr 1fr;
+    grid-template-columns: minmax(200px, 250px) minmax(600px, 3fr) minmax(200px, 250px);
     gap: 2rem;
     padding: 2rem;
     max-width: 1600px;
diff --git a/index.html b/index.html
index fe7617e..5280dad 100644
--- a/index.html
+++ b/index.html
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
             <div class="game-status">
                 <span id="current-turn">White's Turn</span>
                 <span id="game-state">Active</span>
+                <div id="status-message" class="status-message"></div>
             </div>
         </header>
 
diff --git a/js/main.js b/js/main.js
index 4b90119..a79ba42 100644
--- a/js/main.js
+++ b/js/main.js
@@ -245,6 +245,9 @@ class ChessApp {
             console.warn('Status message element not found, using console:', message);
             return;
         }
+
+        // Add type class for styling
+        statusMessage.className = `status-message ${type}`;
         statusMessage.textContent = message;
         statusMessage.style.display = 'block';
 
diff --git a/tests/ui/column-resize.test.js b/tests/ui/column-resize.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..669c21b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/ui/column-resize.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,212 @@
+/**
+ * Column Resize Bug Tests
+ * Tests to verify that columns maintain consistent width during gameplay
+ */
+
+import { test, expect } from '@playwright/test';
+
+test.describe('Column Layout Stability', () => {
+    test.beforeEach(async ({ page }) => {
+        await page.goto('http://localhost:8080');
+        await page.waitForLoadState('networkidle');
+    });
+
+    test('game container uses fixed minimum widths', async ({ page }) => {
+        const gameContainer = await page.locator('.game-container');
+
+        // Check computed styles
+        const styles = await gameContainer.evaluate((el) => {
+            const computed = window.getComputedStyle(el);
+            return {
+                display: computed.display,
+                gridTemplateColumns: computed.gridTemplateColumns
+            };
+        });
+
+        expect(styles.display).toBe('grid');
+        // Should use minmax() for fixed minimum widths
+        expect(styles.gridTemplateColumns).not.toBe('1fr 3fr 1fr');
+    });
+
+    test('left sidebar maintains minimum width', async ({ page }) => {
+        const leftSidebar = await page.locator('.captured-white');
+
+        const initialWidth = await leftSidebar.evaluate(el => el.offsetWidth);
+        expect(initialWidth).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(200); // minmax(200px, 250px)
+    });
+
+    test('right sidebar maintains minimum width', async ({ page }) => {
+        const rightSidebar = await page.locator('.game-sidebar');
+
+        const initialWidth = await rightSidebar.evaluate(el => el.offsetWidth);
+        expect(initialWidth).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(200); // minmax(200px, 250px)
+    });
+
+    test('board section maintains minimum width', async ({ page }) => {
+        const boardSection = await page.locator('.board-section');
+
+        const initialWidth = await boardSection.evaluate(el => el.offsetWidth);
+        expect(initialWidth).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(600); // minmax(600px, 3fr)
+    });
+
+    test('columns do not resize when pieces are captured', async ({ page }) => {
+        // Get initial widths
+        const getWidths = async () => {
+            return await page.evaluate(() => {
+                const leftSidebar = document.querySelector('.captured-white');
+                const boardSection = document.querySelector('.board-section');
+                const rightSidebar = document.querySelector('.game-sidebar');
+
+                return {
+                    left: leftSidebar.offsetWidth,
+                    board: boardSection.offsetWidth,
+                    right: rightSidebar.offsetWidth
+                };
+            });
+        };
+
+        const initialWidths = await getWidths();
+
+        // Make a move that captures a piece (simulate)
+        await page.evaluate(() => {
+            // Add captured piece to test resize behavior
+            const capturedList = document.querySelector('#captured-white-pieces');
+            if (capturedList) {
+                const piece = document.createElement('div');
+                piece.className = 'captured-piece white pawn';
+                piece.textContent = '♙';
+                capturedList.appendChild(piece);
+            }
+        });
+
+        await page.waitForTimeout(100); // Allow for any layout recalculation
+
+        const afterCaptureWidths = await getWidths();
+
+        // Columns should maintain their widths (within 1px for rounding)
+        expect(Math.abs(afterCaptureWidths.left - initialWidths.left)).toBeLessThanOrEqual(1);
+        expect(Math.abs(afterCaptureWidths.board - initialWidths.board)).toBeLessThanOrEqual(1);
+        expect(Math.abs(afterCaptureWidths.right - initialWidths.right)).toBeLessThanOrEqual(1);
+    });
+
+    test('columns do not resize when multiple pieces are captured', async ({ page }) => {
+        const getWidths = async () => {
+            return await page.evaluate(() => {
+                const leftSidebar = document.querySelector('.captured-white');
+                const boardSection = document.querySelector('.board-section');
+                const rightSidebar = document.querySelector('.game-sidebar');
+
+                return {
+                    left: leftSidebar.offsetWidth,
+                    board: boardSection.offsetWidth,
+                    right: rightSidebar.offsetWidth
+                };
+            });
+        };
+
+        const initialWidths = await getWidths();
+
+        // Add multiple captured pieces
+        await page.evaluate(() => {
+            const capturedList = document.querySelector('#captured-white-pieces');
+            if (capturedList) {
+                const pieces = ['♙', '♘', '♗', '♖', '♕'];
+                pieces.forEach(symbol => {
+                    const piece = document.createElement('div');
+                    piece.className = 'captured-piece white';
+                    piece.textContent = symbol;
+                    capturedList.appendChild(piece);
+                });
+            }
+        });
+
+        await page.waitForTimeout(100);
+
+        const afterMultipleCapturesWidths = await getWidths();
+
+        // Columns should still maintain their widths
+        expect(Math.abs(afterMultipleCapturesWidths.left - initialWidths.left)).toBeLessThanOrEqual(1);
+        expect(Math.abs(afterMultipleCapturesWidths.board - initialWidths.board)).toBeLessThanOrEqual(1);
+        expect(Math.abs(afterMultipleCapturesWidths.right - initialWidths.right)).toBeLessThanOrEqual(1);
+    });
+
+    test('columns do not resize when move history grows', async ({ page }) => {
+        const getWidths = async () => {
+            return await page.evaluate(() => {
+                const leftSidebar = document.querySelector('.captured-white');
+                const boardSection = document.querySelector('.board-section');
+                const rightSidebar = document.querySelector('.game-sidebar');
+
+                return {
+                    left: leftSidebar.offsetWidth,
+                    board: boardSection.offsetWidth,
+                    right: rightSidebar.offsetWidth
+                };
+            });
+        };
+
+        const initialWidths = await getWidths();
+
+        // Add move history entries
+        await page.evaluate(() => {
+            const moveHistory = document.querySelector('#move-history');
+            if (moveHistory) {
+                for (let i = 1; i <= 20; i++) {
+                    const moveEntry = document.createElement('div');
+                    moveEntry.className = 'move-entry';
+                    moveEntry.innerHTML = `
+                        <span class="move-number">${i}.</span>
+                        <span class="move-notation white">e4</span>
+                        <span class="move-notation black">e5</span>
+                    `;
+                    moveHistory.appendChild(moveEntry);
+                }
+            }
+        });
+
+        await page.waitForTimeout(100);
+
+        const afterMovesWidths = await getWidths();
+
+        // Columns should maintain their widths
+        expect(Math.abs(afterMovesWidths.left - initialWidths.left)).toBeLessThanOrEqual(1);
+        expect(Math.abs(afterMovesWidths.board - initialWidths.board)).toBeLessThanOrEqual(1);
+        expect(Math.abs(afterMovesWidths.right - initialWidths.right)).toBeLessThanOrEqual(1);
+    });
+
+    test('layout remains stable across window resize', async ({ page }) => {
+        // Set initial viewport
+        await page.setViewportSize({ width: 1400, height: 900 });
+
+        const getWidths = async () => {
+            return await page.evaluate(() => {
+                const leftSidebar = document.querySelector('.captured-white');
+                const boardSection = document.querySelector('.board-section');
+                const rightSidebar = document.querySelector('.game-sidebar');
+
+                return {
+                    left: leftSidebar.offsetWidth,
+                    board: boardSection.offsetWidth,
+                    right: rightSidebar.offsetWidth
+                };
+            });
+        };
+
+        const widthsBefore = await getWidths();
+
+        // Resize window
+        await page.setViewportSize({ width: 1600, height: 900 });
+        await page.waitForTimeout(200);
+
+        const widthsAfter = await getWidths();
+
+        // Sidebar widths should remain close to their minimum (200px)
+        expect(widthsAfter.left).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(200);
+        expect(widthsAfter.left).toBeLessThanOrEqual(250);
+        expect(widthsAfter.right).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(200);
+        expect(widthsAfter.right).toBeLessThanOrEqual(250);
+
+        // Board should be able to grow
+        expect(widthsAfter.board).toBeGreaterThanOrEqual(600);
+    });
+});
diff --git a/tests/ui/status-message.test.js b/tests/ui/status-message.test.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..4383cf7
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/ui/status-message.test.js
@@ -0,0 +1,147 @@
+/**
+ * Status Message Display Tests - Issue #7
+ * Tests for the status message element and its functionality
+ */
+
+import { test, expect } from '@playwright/test';
+
+test.describe('Status Message Display', () => {
+    test.beforeEach(async ({ page }) => {
+        await page.goto('http://localhost:8080');
+        await page.waitForLoadState('networkidle');
+    });
+
+    test('status message element exists in DOM', async ({ page }) => {
+        const statusMessage = await page.locator('#status-message');
+        await expect(statusMessage).toBeAttached();
+    });
+
+    test('status message is hidden by default', async ({ page }) => {
+        const statusMessage = await page.locator('#status-message');
+        await expect(statusMessage).toHaveCSS('display', 'none');
+    });
+
+    test('new game shows status message', async ({ page }) => {
+        const newGameBtn = await page.locator('#btn-new-game');
+
+        // Accept the confirm dialog
+        page.on('dialog', dialog => dialog.accept());
+        await newGameBtn.click();
+
+        const statusMessage = await page.locator('#status-message');
+        await expect(statusMessage).toBeVisible();
+        await expect(statusMessage).toContainText('New game started!');
+    });
+
+    test('status message auto-hides after 3 seconds', async ({ page }) => {
+        const newGameBtn = await page.locator('#btn-new-game');
+
+        // Accept the confirm dialog
+        page.on('dialog', dialog => dialog.accept());
+        await newGameBtn.click();
+
+        const statusMessage = await page.locator('#status-message');
+        await expect(statusMessage).toBeVisible();
+
+        // Wait for message to auto-hide
+        await page.waitForTimeout(3100);
+        await expect(statusMessage).toHaveCSS('display', 'none');
+    });
+
+    test('check message displays with info styling', async ({ page }) => {
+        // Create a check situation (this would require setting up a specific board state)
+        // For now, we'll test that the element can receive the info class
+        await page.evaluate(() => {
+            const app = window.app;
+            if (app && app.showMessage) {
+                app.showMessage('Check! black king is in check', 'info');
+            }
+        });
+
+        const statusMessage = await page.locator('#status-message');
+        await expect(statusMessage).toBeVisible();
+        await expect(statusMessage).toHaveClass(/info/);
+        await expect(statusMessage).toContainText('Check!');
+    });
+
+    test('checkmate message displays with success styling', async ({ page }) => {
+        await page.evaluate(() => {
+            const app = window.app;
+            if (app && app.showMessage) {
+                app.showMessage('Checkmate! white wins!', 'success');
+            }
+        });
+
+        const statusMessage = await page.locator('#status-message');
+        await expect(statusMessage).toBeVisible();
+        await expect(statusMessage).toHaveClass(/success/);
+        await expect(statusMessage).toContainText('Checkmate!');
+    });
+
+    test('error messages display with error styling', async ({ page }) => {
+        await page.evaluate(() => {
+            const app = window.app;
+            if (app && app.showMessage) {
+                app.showMessage('Invalid move!', 'error');
+            }
+        });
+
+        const statusMessage = await page.locator('#status-message');
+        await expect(statusMessage).toBeVisible();
+        await expect(statusMessage).toHaveClass(/error/);
+    });
+
+    test('multiple messages display sequentially', async ({ page }) => {
+        // Show first message
+        await page.evaluate(() => {
+            const app = window.app;
+            if (app && app.showMessage) {
+                app.showMessage('First message', 'info');
+            }
+        });
+
+        const statusMessage = await page.locator('#status-message');
+        await expect(statusMessage).toContainText('First message');
+
+        // Show second message (should replace first)
+        await page.evaluate(() => {
+            const app = window.app;
+            if (app && app.showMessage) {
+                app.showMessage('Second message', 'success');
+            }
+        });
+
+        await expect(statusMessage).toContainText('Second message');
+        await expect(statusMessage).toHaveClass(/success/);
+    });
+
+    test('status message has correct CSS classes', async ({ page }) => {
+        await page.evaluate(() => {
+            const app = window.app;
+            if (app && app.showMessage) {
+                app.showMessage('Test message', 'info');
+            }
+        });
+
+        const statusMessage = await page.locator('#status-message');
+        await expect(statusMessage).toHaveClass('status-message info');
+    });
+
+    test('console warning not shown when element exists', async ({ page }) => {
+        const consoleWarnings = [];
+        page.on('console', msg => {
+            if (msg.type() === 'warning') {
+                consoleWarnings.push(msg.text());
+            }
+        });
+
+        await page.evaluate(() => {
+            const app = window.app;
+            if (app && app.showMessage) {
+                app.showMessage('Test message', 'info');
+            }
+        });
+
+        expect(consoleWarnings.filter(w => w.includes('Status message element not found'))).toHaveLength(0);
+    });
+});