Guide
Play chess on your real board with your phone
Eloqi turns the chess board you already own into a board you can play the app on. Prop your iPhone beside it, and the camera follows every move. The bot says its reply out loud, and you move its piece for it. No smart board to buy.
Free to download. No sign-up. No ads.
How it works
- Set up a standard board with real pieces.
- Prop your iPhone beside it, on a stand or against something steady.
- Before your first game, a 20-second check: point the camera at your board.
- Eloqi reads all 64 squares, then follows the game move by move.
- You play your move. The bot says its move out loud, and you move its piece for it.
A camera instead of sensors
There is nothing to wire up and nothing to charge on the board. Your phone's camera does the work, so a standard set you already own will do.
Your coach talks you through the game while you play. You keep your eyes on the pieces, not on the screen.
What works best
Real-board play is in beta. It works best with a standard Staunton set, a steady phone and even light. In dim light it can mix up a king and a queen, so a lamp over the board helps.
Your camera stays on your phone
Board reading runs on your iPhone, and the full camera view stays there. A few board-only photos are shared by default to improve recognition, and you can turn that off. There is no Eloqi account and no ads.
Free to play
Real-board play is free, along with the spoken coach and 18 of the 36 bots. Eloqi runs on iPhone with iOS 17 or later. Android is coming.
Want the bot's move in light?
For makers, the Eloqi Board is a board you print at home, with lights under the squares that show the bot's move. You don't need it: Eloqi already works with a regular board and your iPhone camera.
See 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.
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.
Is Eloqi free?
Yes. Free every day: the daily puzzle, 5 practice puzzles, 2 Game Reviews, the First Steps lessons, 18 bots, real-board play and the spoken coach. Premium unlocks the rest. No ads either way.
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.
Does Eloqi use AI on my iPhone?
Yes. The chess engine, board reading and the coach’s voice run on your iPhone.
Do I need an account?
No. There is no Eloqi account and no ads. Online play uses your own Lichess account, only if you play online. Board reading runs on your iPhone, and the full camera view stays there. A few board-only photos are shared by default to improve recognition, and you can turn that off.
Eloqi
Free to download. No sign-up. No ads. Available now on iPhone (iOS 17 or later).