In the world of chess innovation, an engineer has created a remarkable physical chess board that completely reimagines the game by eliminating the traditional turn-based structure. This Real Time Chess board uses electromagnets to enforce cooldown periods for pieces, allowing players to move simultaneously rather than waiting for their opponent's turn.
Reinventing Chess With Real-Time Play
The creator's motivation stems from addressing what they humorously call a huge latency bug in traditional chess - spending half the game waiting for your opponent to move. By removing turns altogether, the game transforms into something more akin to real-time strategy video games like StarCraft or Age of Empires. To prevent chaos, each chess piece has an individual cooldown period enforced by electromagnets that physically hold pieces in place until they can be moved again. The board uses different colored lights to indicate cooldown status, with the electromagnets serving as a physical enforcement mechanism rather than relying on players to track cooldown times themselves.
Engineering Marvel With Practical Challenges
The physical board represents an impressive engineering achievement, featuring a system of electromagnets beneath each square that can detect and restrict piece movement. According to comments from the creator, the board uses approximately $600 USD worth of electromagnets per board, making it one of the most expensive components. The project documentation notes several engineering challenges, including undersized PCB traces causing voltage drops when many pieces are on cooldown simultaneously, extremely tight tolerances making assembly difficult, and issues with pin heights for banana connectors. The board can even distinguish between players using different frequency bands (500Hz and 750Hz) through wearable straps, allowing players to move their opponent's pieces when capturing.
Key Components of Real Time Chess Board
- Electromagnets: ~$600 USD per board, most expensive component
- Insulating washers: Placed under each electromagnet for electrical isolation
- Plastic screws: Used to attach electromagnets to base without electrical connection
- Player identification: Uses 500Hz and 750Hz frequency bands through wearable straps
Known Engineering Issues
- Power distribution: Undersized PCB traces causing voltage drops
- Tolerances: Extremely tight tolerances making assembly difficult
- Pin heights: Taller than mechanical design allows
- Corner screws: Assembly order makes fastening corner screws impossible
Game Rules
- Only one hand and one piece can be moved at a time
- Each piece has individual cooldown after movement
- Electromagnets physically hold pieces during cooldown
- Colored lights indicate cooldown status
Strategic Implications and Gameplay Dynamics
The real-time nature fundamentally changes chess strategy. As noted in community discussions, traditional chess concepts like forking (threatening two pieces simultaneously) become less effective since opponents can simply move both threatened pieces. The physical dexterity element adds an entirely new dimension to gameplay, with players having to balance strategic thinking with quick reactions. The creator has established rules like one hand, one piece at a time to prevent players from moving multiple pieces simultaneously and to reduce accidental disruptions to the board state.
The project has drawn comparisons to digital predecessors like Kung Fu Chess, an online version of real-time chess popular about 20 years ago. However, the physical implementation with electromagnets adds a unique tangible dimension to the experience that digital versions can't replicate.
Community Reception and Future Potential
The chess community has shown significant interest in the project, with many commenters expressing enthusiasm about seeing high-level players try the board. There have been mentions of chess personalities like Hikaru Nakamura and Magnus Carlsen potentially trying the board, with one YouTube comment even offering to cover expenses if the creator would send a board for Magnus Carlsen to play on. The creator has produced a detailed video explanation of the project that has garnered significant attention online.
This innovative approach to chess demonstrates how even centuries-old games can be reimagined through modern engineering. While it may not replace traditional chess, Real Time Chess offers a fascinating alternative that combines strategic thinking with physical dexterity in ways that could appeal to both chess enthusiasts and those who find traditional chess too slow-paced.
Reference: Real Time Chess