Whether you are just starting out at chess or you are a seasoned professional, it can be difficult to find someone at your level to play against. GoChess allows you to do this online through an actual physical chessboard with robotically moving pieces.
GoChess, currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign, is made by video game company Particula. The company previously brought us the GoCube, a high-tech rendition of the Rubik’s Cube.
GoChess looks like any other chess set when at rest, though it connects via Bluetooth to the accompanying app, and beneath its translucent surface are a bunch of tiny wheeled robots.
These robots move magnetic pieces back and forth across the board in response to real-time movements of remote opponents on online chess platforms like Lichness or Chess.com.
These opponents can play against the on-screen board from their computer keyboards – they don’t need to be using the GoChess board at the same time. GoChess User Movement Their Crafted by hand, though they can also ask the board to do it for them via voice commands. As the pieces are moved by hand, sensors on the board detect the magnets in each piece, letting the system know which piece has been moved to which square.
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In addition to playing against other human players, users can also play against the online AI at up to 32 different difficulty levels. No matter who or what the opponent is, the user can choose to be guided by the colored LEDs below each square. These will light up to suggest possible, good and worst next steps.
Using the app while playing solo, you can also choose skill-enhancing chess puzzles to solve, or watch the moves of famous chess games in history. The app also tracks the user’s gameplay, tracking their progress and suggesting ways they can improve.
To play chess on the go, the sensor- and LED-equipped surface of the board can be removed and used alone, without a robot. In fact, buyers on a budget can buy the setup on their own – it’s called GoChess Lite.Of course, the board able Used as a regular chess board, two players manually move pieces face to face.
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Kickstarter Pledge Prices start at $259 for the full system and $219 for the Lite—planned retail prices are $379 and $319, respectively.Assuming all goes well, the board should be shipped to backers Next possible. You can see the board in action in the video below.
Potential backers might also want to check out SquareOff and phantom Robot chessboard. They lack some features of GoChess, but also have some unique features of their own.
GoChess: The most powerful chess board ever
