iChessOne

Electronic chessboards have traditionally been one-piece slabs, awkward to carry and store. iChessOne, an Indiegogo project developed over several years of prototyping and testing in Gdynia, Poland, takes a different approach: the board folds. According to the maker, a patent-pending wireless data transmission system lets the two halves communicate across the fold, enabling real-time play without lag.

Wood outside, sensors inside

The board and pieces are hand-finished in beech, sycamore and mahogany and follow the classic Staunton pattern. When the board is not in use, the LEDs and other electronics are fully concealed, so it reads as a conventional wooden set. During play, LED indicators show the opponent's moves, and the maker says a hybrid piece recognition system combining NFC with high-speed magnetic sensors identifies which piece sits on which square instantly and accurately.

Online, offline and against the AI

The board connects over Bluetooth LE to iOS and Android apps, which link to chess servers such as lichess.org so players can face opponents worldwide on a physical board. Offline games are saved automatically and can be analysed in the app or exported as PGN files for other chess software. The maker also lists support for fast formats such as Blitz and Bullet, including games under one minute.

• Built-in AI opponent with 8 difficulty levels
• Beginner's mode: LEDs rate moves by colour — red for a blunder, orange for a mistake, blue for a good move, pink for the best move
• Hints & Advice mode suggesting which piece to move
• Automatic rule checks for moves such as castling and pawn promotion, with guidance to correct illegal moves

Storage is built into the board: space for the 32 pieces plus two spare queens, along with a wooden phone stand, a USB-C cable and a pen. The internal battery is replaceable and, according to the maker, lasts several hours of continuous use; it charges through a USB-C port with an included magnetic cable. The board also lights up when left unused as a reminder to switch it off.

The team says the API is open, which could allow support for more apps and platforms beyond its own app and selected online servers. It positions the board for coaching, including remote real-time instruction, and for events and tournaments, and reports making battery and power design changes during the crowdfunding campaign based on community feedback.