Integrating client apps with chess e-boards that use LEDs to highlight opponent moves (such as the Square Off Pro ) is harder than it looks. It looks so simple. The client app tells the e-board to highlight move squares and the e-board uses its sensors to tell the client app where pieces have moved. But what happens when the e-board player mis-reads the indicated move LEDs and makes a legal move … but it’s the wrong move?

The Square Off Pro is a lovely, tournament-sized and rollable chess e-board that was let down by poor manufacturer software. For the last few years most Square Off Pros have been gathering dust on shelves. But now, thanks to a cunning little gadget called BillyGate, you can once again enjoy over-the-board chess on chess.com or lichess.org on your Square Off Pro e-board.

Rarely has a product had a more apt name. Way back in 2021 someone (or someones) called  Wonder Substance launched a campaign on Indiegogo to build a robotic chess board made of real wood  and I took an expensive punt on it. That was four years ago and until yesterday I had nothing to show for it...

IMO chess e-boards are the greatest innovation in chess since Internet chess servers, enabling over-the-board chess games against online opponents. But if you are thinking of buying one you might be surprised to know there are at least four different types of e-board and the differences are important.