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ShadowChess automated chessboard

ShadowChess is an automatic chessboard that moves the pieces on its own. Learn chess, play with AI or online on a physical board. We are launching on Kickstarter soon. Sign up so you do not miss the start of the campaign.

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The Road to ShadowChess

The idea

It started with one simple need: to connect online play with the experience of a real physical board.

A working model

We built the first mechanism capable of moving the pieces on its own.

The birth of ShadowChess

We showed the project to others. Their positive reaction made us realize that this idea could resonate beyond just us.

Classic prototype

The first full prototype came to life with a refined movement mechanism and a wooden finish.

Glass prototype

We are working on a glass version that lets players observe the mechanism in action during the game.

Kickstarter launch

We are preparing a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for the next stage of ShadowChess development.

Further development

If we reach our campaign goal, we will refine the product and begin production.

Where did the idea come from?

My wife got into chess. At first, we played together on a physical board, but she quickly started beating me. Over time, we moved online, where each of us could find opponents at our own level.

Online play solved the problem of finding opponents, but created another one. A physical board gave us perspective, space, tension, and the ritual of the game, all the things a screen simply cannot replace.

We decided to build something for ourselves, something that combines online play with the experience of a physical board. That is how our first prototype was born.

Kickstarter

We are launching on Kickstarter soon. Join the waiting list so you do not miss the start of the campaign and learn more about ShadowChess features.

Frequently asked questions

What stage is ShadowChess currently at?
We already have a working prototype and are currently building its glass version. At the same time, we are preparing a Kickstarter campaign. If it succeeds, it will allow us to work on the project full-time, refine the product, and start production.
How is an automatic chessboard different from an electronic chessboard?
An electronic chessboard indicates the square to which a piece should be moved, but the player still makes the move. ShadowChess is an automatic chessboard that can move the pieces on its own.
Will I be able to play online?
Yes, that is one of the main ideas behind ShadowChess. We want to combine online play with the experience of a physical board. One of our planned directions is integration with popular chess platforms such as Lichess.
Do I need an app to start playing?
It depends on the game mode. Playing against the built-in AI does not require a phone or any additional app, just turn on the board, choose the difficulty level on the screen, and start the game. For online play, for example through Lichess, the phone is used to start the match, and the rest of the game happens on the physical board.
How long does one move take?
In the current prototype, a move takes around 7 seconds on average, which works well for classical time controls. Our goal, however, is to reduce this time so that ShadowChess also works well for faster games.
Can you hear the mechanism during the game?
Yes, the mechanism can be heard during play. In the current prototype, the sound is comparable to a computer keyboard. We know that noise level matters a lot, so in the next stages of development we will work on reducing it further.