Support
FAQ
A. Board & app
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How is iChessOne different from other electronic chessboards?
iChessOne combines full smart-board technology with a real wooden tournament board – and, uniquely, it folds in half, storing the complete set of 34 pieces and accessories (phone stand, cable) inside.
The board features full piece recognition, two multi-colour LEDs under every square and built-in battery and electronics for both offline and online play.
It is a complete “real board + digital intelligence” solution in one compact package.
Who is iChessOne for?
For every skill level. For beginners – as a “live coach” with hints, colour guidance and a chess engine. For intermediate players – for analysing their own games, training with AI and playing rapid/blitz. For tournament players – full FIDE board size, wooden Staunton pieces and automatic PGN recording of every game.
Can I use the board like a regular wooden chessboard without a phone?
Yes. You can simply play on it as on a standard wooden board. Just keep in mind that without the app there is no game recording, clock, hints or online connectivity – in that mode it is simply a high-quality wooden chessboard.
Will a non-technical user manage the initial setup?
Yes. After unboxing you charge the board, install the app, pair the board via Bluetooth and choose a game preset – the “Getting started” section in the manual walks through this process step by step.
Do I need a Lichess or Chess.com account to use iChessOne?
No. An account is only required for online play on a given platform. In offline modes (human vs human, vs engine, analysis) you can play without any accounts. If you connect your Lichess/Chess.com account, games are also recorded in your history on those services.
Which platforms and applications does iChessOne work with?
The core is the iChessOne app, which handles online and offline play against a human opponent or chess engine/bots. It currently supports Lichess (using the official Board API) and Chess.com natively, and additional integrations are under development and will be released in future updates.
On which devices and operating systems does the app run?
The app runs on phones and tablets with Android and iOS/iPadOS. It requires at least Android 5.0 and iOS/iPadOS 13.0 or newer (on Apple Silicon it can also be used in a desktop version).
Is the iChessOne app free?
Yes. The iChessOne app is free to use and contains no ads. There are no mandatory subscriptions – everything needed for play and game recording is included with the board. Additional features are being developed and will be delivered in future updates.
What is the USB-C port for? Can I connect the board to a laptop via USB?
USB-C is officially used to charge the board from any 5 V charger or power bank. Communication with the app is handled via Bluetooth Low Energy.
What happens if Bluetooth or the internet disconnects during a game?
iChessOne automatically tries to reconnect to the last paired device. The position and move history are stored in the app, so after reconnection the game state is restored. For online games, behaviour related to time control and disconnections follows the rules of the given platform (Lichess, Chess.com).
Can I use one board with multiple devices?
Yes. You can pair the board with multiple devices, but it can be actively connected to only one at a time – this is how Bluetooth LE works. If it keeps reconnecting to a “previous” phone, simply disconnect the board in the app, briefly press the ON/OFF button (the LED will start blinking blue) and then connect it to the new device from the list in the app.
Is there an API/SDK for developers?
Yes. iChessOne has an open communication protocol used by selected third-party chess applications. Access to the API is provided after contacting us – we want integrations to add real value for users and not introduce risks such as Fair Play violations on online platforms.
Which chess engine is used for computer play?
The app uses an engine based on Stockfish, with a wide range of difficulty levels (25 levels) – from beginner-friendly training levels up to a strength clearly above that of an average club player. You can play training games, solve positions and analyse directly on the physical board.
Can I play offline without internet and without a phone?
Without internet – yes. The app works offline and the board supports full games, recording and analysis without a network connection. Completely without a phone you can use iChessOne as a regular wooden board – simply without smart features.
We are working on a “no-phone” game mode that will allow you to use selected smart features without a mobile device; once available it will be delivered to all users via an app update.
Are games saved automatically and can I export them as PGN?
Yes. All finished games are automatically saved in the “Recent Games” section of the app, from where you can generate and share a PGN file with a single tap (e.g. by email, messenger, or for import into Lichess, Chess.com, ChessBase, etc.).
Can I set up arbitrary starting positions and tactical exercises?
At the moment the iChessOne app does not yet include its own position editor from scratch. You can, however, play tasks and non-standard positions using compatible platforms such as Lichess or Chess.com, which support play on the physical iChessOne board. A built-in position editor and exercise mode are on our roadmap and will be added in future app updates.
Are games saved automatically and can I export them as PGN?
Yes. All finished games are automatically saved in the “Recent Games” section of the app, from where you can generate and share a PGN file with a single tap (e.g. by email, messenger, or for import into Lichess, Chess.com, ChessBase, etc.).
Which chess variants are supported?
By default we support classical FIDE chess. Through integrations with external platforms you can also play variants offered on Lichess/Chess.com (e.g. Chess960, Antichess, Three-Check), with the board acting as a physical interface to that platform. Support for additional variants in offline modes will be expanded over time through updates.
B. LEDs, sound & time controls
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What do the LED colours mean and can I configure them?
The LEDs indicate game start/end, errors, opponent moves, available moves, checks, promotions and communication with the app. In the Game Settings you can individually adjust brightness, colours, blinking behaviour and which types of highlights are used at all (origin square, available moves, king in check, etc.). A detailed description is provided in chapters 4 and 5 of the manual.
Is iChessOne suitable for blitz and bullet?
Yes. The board uses a hybrid detection system (magnetic sensors + RFID) and is designed with fast time controls in mind, including games below one minute per side. In the settings you can tune the Sliding Move Delay to your style of moving the pieces, so that even very fast moves are detected reliably.
Can I “turn off the lights” and play as on a normal board?
You can disable all training-related indicators: available moves, origin square highlights, king-in-check alerts, engine hints and more, and you can significantly reduce LED brightness. Only the basic signals necessary for correct operation of the board remain (e.g. promotions, en passant, error notifications).
Does the board make sounds and can I mute them?
The board has a built-in buzzer which can signal, for example, errors, low battery or game end. In Game Settings you can completely disable the buzzer if you prefer to play in silence, and any additional sounds from the app itself can be switched off in your phone’s system settings.
C. Pieces, physical board & transport
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Do smart features work with pieces other than the original set?
No. Original iChessOne pieces contain electronics matched to the sensors in the board; only they are recognised square-by-square. With the board switched off you can of course use any chess set, but without move detection or lighting. If you get an extreme promotion (e.g. a third knight) that you don’t physically have on the board, you can always finish the game in the app itself.
Can I buy additional piece sets or individual pieces?
Yes. Additional full piece sets compatible with the board are available in the shop; they are not permanently “bound” to a single board, so you can mix and swap them between sets. Individual pieces and non-standard configurations are handled via support (simply text us at info@ichess.one) – availability depends on current stock.
Are the pieces magnetic and how do they behave in transport?
The pieces have built-in magnets used for detection, but the board surface itself is not magnetic, so they may shift slightly under heavy vibration. For transport, the board folds into a “case”, with dedicated compartments for the pieces inside, and the whole set fits into a protective cotton bag.
What happens if I knock several pieces or a move is read incorrectly?
The system tracks the state of the squares, not hand gestures, so as long as the pieces end up on the correct squares, the game continues normally. If the position becomes messy, the board will highlight squares that need correction and in the app you can undo a move or manually adjust the position. It also helps to fine-tune the Sliding Move Delay parameter or enable manual move confirmation in offline games.
D. Battery, dimensions & set contents
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How long does the battery last and how do I charge it? Can I play while charging?
The board has a built-in 2000 mAh battery charged via USB-C; a full charge with a typical 5 V charger takes around 6 hours. With normal LED brightness and Bluetooth enabled you can expect more than 10 hours of play on a single charge – the actual time mainly depends on how intensively the LEDs are used. You can play while the board is charging, including from a power bank.
Is the battery replaceable?
The battery is physically replaceable, but it is not intended as a user-serviceable part – access to it requires opening the board. Disassembling the board yourself may void the warranty, so any battery replacement is carried out by the iChessOne service team after an individual request.
What are the board’s dimensions and weight? Will it fit into carry-on luggage?
When unfolded the board measures 470 × 470 mm; when folded it is 470 × 235 × 52 mm – a full tournament size in a foldable “case” format. The board itself weighs around 1,5 kg, and approximately 2,6 kg together with pieces and accessories, so it fits comfortably within standard carry-on luggage limits.
What exactly is included in the set and are all items covered by the warranty?
The set includes the board, 34 pieces (including two extra queens), a phone stand, USB-C cable, USB-C/USB-A adapter and cotton bag. The warranty covers the board and electronic components (board + smart pieces).
E. Updates, versions, languages & data
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How often do you update the firmware and app? Is this paid?
We usually release firmware and app updates at least once per quarter. The exact timing depends on when new features and improvements are ready to deliver. All updates are free; there is no paid upgrade plan.
How does a firmware update work and what if something goes wrong?
You update the board from within the app in the Board tab: if a new version is available, a Download/Update button appears, and after turning the board off it signals the update by blinking pink. If the process clearly takes longer than a few minutes, you can perform a hard reset by holding the ON/OFF button for more than 8–10 seconds; after restarting, the board will try to complete the update. If problems persist, please contact our support team.
How can I check the app and firmware version?
The app version is visible in the App Store / Google Play and in App Settings → App version. The board firmware version is shown in the app in the details of the connected board (Board → Settings), where the current firmware number is displayed.
Which languages does the app support?
You can change the app interface language in App Settings – currently English, Polish, German, French and Dutch are available, with more languages added over time through updates. If your language is not available yet, please contact us.
What happens to my data and saved games?
The app needs access to Bluetooth and location solely for technical reasons – it does not collect or forward your location data. Game logs are stored locally in the app and you export them explicitly as PGN files. If you play on Lichess or Chess.com, your games are also stored on those platforms’ servers according to their respective privacy policies.
F. Shipping, warranty, clubs
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Which countries do you ship to and how do shipping and returns work?
We ship iChessOne worldwide. Exact options, delivery times and any shipping/tax costs are always shown in the checkout and in the announcement banner at the top of the page. As standard, you have 30 days to return an unused product. In case of damage or an error on our side, we cover the cost of replacement or return according to the Shipping & Warranty Policy and Refund policy on our website.
How do warranty and service work?
The product is covered by the standard manufacturer’s warranty and, within the EU, also by local consumer protection laws. The warranty covers the board, electronics, sensors and smart pieces. It does not cover mechanical damage caused by the user, liquid damage, opening or modifying the internals, or using inappropriate power supplies. Service is handled in Europe; in case of a serious issue we diagnose the board and either repair or replace it. For full details, please refer to our Shipping & Warranty Policy available on the website.
Are there offers for clubs, schools and coaches? How do you manage several boards in one room?
Yes. For larger orders for clubs, schools and coaches we prepare individual offers – just email us at info@ichess.one with the number of boards you are interested in. In a club environment you can assign each board its own name in the app and use the “LED test” function to make sure the board is paired with the correct phone/tablet. Multiple sets can run in parallel in the same room as long as each board has its own Bluetooth client device.
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Documentation and certificates for download
User Manual
Detailed step-by-step guide to unboxing, charging and pairing your iChessOne, configuring LEDs and sounds, playing offline and online, and solving the most common issues.
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