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A smart chess board, or the board you already own?
Electronic smart chess boards sense your moves through the board itself. Eloqi takes another route: prop your phone beside the board you already own, and the camera follows the game. Here is an honest comparison.
Free to download. No sign-up. No ads.
How a smart chess board works
A smart chess board has sensors under the squares that detect the pieces. It connects to an app on your phone or computer, and some boards show the opponent's move with lights or a small screen. You buy the board, and usually its own pieces, as one product.
How Eloqi works with your own board
- Prop your iPhone beside a regular board with real pieces.
- Eloqi reads all 64 squares with the camera. If a square is unclear, it asks.
- Move your pieces. The bot says its reply out loud, and you move its piece for it.
- After the game, review it with Stockfish on the phone.
Side by side
| Smart chess board | Your board with Eloqi | |
|---|---|---|
| What you buy | A new board with sensors | Nothing extra. Your chess set and your iPhone |
| Pieces | Usually the board's own set | A standard Staunton set you already own |
| How it sees moves | Sensors in the board | The phone camera beside the board |
| The opponent's move | Lights or a screen on some boards | The bot says it out loud |
| Light | Works in any light | Even light works best. Dim light can mix up a king and a queen |
| Status | Finished products | Beta |
When a smart chess board is the better pick
If you often play in dim rooms, want no phone at the table, or want move lights on the board itself, a smart board fits better. If you already own a set and want to try playing a bot on real pieces first, start with Eloqi. It is free to download.
Or build your own smart board
For makers, the Eloqi Board is a chess board you print at home, with lights under the squares that show the bot's move. It is not for sale yet. Join the waitlist for one email when it is ready.
About the Eloqi BoardQuestions and answers
Can I use Eloqi with my own physical chess board?
Yes, in beta. Prop your iPhone next to a standard board with real pieces, and Eloqi follows your moves through the camera.
Do I need it to use Eloqi?
No. Eloqi already works with a regular board and your iPhone camera.
Does it work in low light?
Even light works best. In dim light it can mix up a king and a queen. A lamp over the board helps.
Which phones work?
Eloqi is on iPhone today. It needs iOS 17 or later and is built for iPhone 13 and newer. iPhone 12 works on a best-effort basis. An Android app is coming soon, and you can join its waitlist on this page. There is no iPad app today.
Eloqi
Free to download. No sign-up. No ads. Available now on iPhone (iOS 17 or later).