SMART CHESSBOARD ESP32 – A REAL CHESSBOARD WITH SMART TECHNOLOGY!

♟ SMART CHESSBOARD ESP32 – A REAL CHESSBOARD WITH SMART TECHNOLOGY!

What if you could play chess on a real physical board while enjoying all the features of a digital chess platform?

This project brings together 3D printing, ESP32 electronics, RGB LEDs, magnetic sensors and a touchscreen to create a fully interactive smart chessboard.

Play against Lichess with Stockfish (levels 1–8), challenge the built-in offline engine (levels 1–4), play with a friend or train your skills with chess puzzles.

Every square detects the presence of a chess piece using a reed sensor and has its own RGB LED. The LEDs guide you through the game, highlighting possible moves, mistakes, hints and your opponent's moves.

A 3.2-inch touchscreen handles the interface, settings, menus and game information.

And the best part? The entire project is 3D printable!

🚀 MAIN FEATURES

♟ MULTIPLE GAME MODES

• Play against Lichess via Wi-Fi (Stockfish levels 1–8).

• Play against the built-in ESP32 offline engine (levels 1–4).

• Two-player mode to play against a friend.

💡 SMART RGB LED SYSTEM

• 64 RGB LEDs, one for each square.

• Legal moves highlighted automatically.

• Opponent's moves shown on the board.

• Visual indications for errors and hints.

🧩 CHESS PUZZLES

• 25 built-in checkmate puzzles (mate in 1, 2 and 3).

• Random puzzle order.

• Additional puzzles downloaded directly from Lichess.

📊 GAME ANALYSIS

• End-of-game analysis directly on the touchscreen.

• Mistakes and best moves explained on the display.

↩ UNDO FUNCTION

• Undo moves in two-player mode and against the ESP32.

• Delayed confirmation when playing against Lichess.

📶 EASY WI-FI CONFIGURATION

• Select your Wi-Fi network from a scanned list.

• Enter your password and Lichess token directly using the touchscreen keyboard.

• Alternatively, configure everything from your smartphone using the setup web page.

• No need to edit the Arduino code for network configuration.

🔧 AUTOMATIC SELF-TEST

• Startup diagnostic screen.

• Checks I/O modules, sensors and Wi-Fi connection.

🗄 SMART 3D-PRINTED DESIGN

• Two integrated drawers for white and black chess pieces.

• Dedicated electronics compartment.

• Only 4 screws required for assembly.

• No glue or adhesive tape needed.

⚠ IMPORTANT – PRINTER SIZE REQUIREMENT

The chessboard and its base measure 268 × 268 mm.

You need a printer with a build plate of at least 270 × 270 mm.

Compatible examples:

• Snapmaker U1

• Bambu Lab H2D

NOT compatible with 256 × 256 mm build plates, including:

• Bambu Lab X1

• Bambu Lab P1

• Bambu Lab A1

Please check your printer's build volume before starting!

🖨 PRINTING INSTRUCTIONS

PLAYING SURFACE

• Consists of 3 separate files: black, white and blue.

• Load all three files together as ONE multicolor object.

• The parts are already oriented face down.

• No supports required.

• Translucent white filament can be used for better LED light transmission.

ALL OTHER PARTS

• Print in PLA.

• Layer height: 0.2 mm.

• Infill: 15–20%.

• No supports required.

• Print parts in their supplied orientation.

LARGE PARTS

• Z-hop: Normal / Auto (NOT Spiral).

• No brim.

• Keep the model centered on the build plate.

🔩 BILL OF MATERIALS (BOM)

ELECTRONICS

• ESP32 DevKit 30-pin + expansion board.

• 3.2" ILI9341 240×320 SPI touchscreen with XPT2046.

• 4 × MCP23017 I2C I/O modules (addresses 0x20–0x23).

• 64 × HW-483 / KY-021 reed sensor modules.

• 64 × WS2812B RGB LEDs (8 strips of 8, serpentine arrangement).

• SN74AHCT125N logic level shifter.

• 330 Ω resistor.

• 1000 µF capacitor.

• 5 V / 4 A power supply with USB-C socket and power switch (at least 3 A).

CHESS PIECES AND HARDWARE

• 32 × 8 × 3 mm magnets (one per chess piece).

• 4 × M3 × 12 self-tapping screws.

• Approximately 140 Dupont jumper wires.

🔋 POWER SUPPLY – PORTABLE USE

The chessboard can also be powered using a USB power bank, making it possible to play without a fixed power outlet.

Perfect for portable use, tournaments or playing anywhere!

Make sure your power bank provides a stable 5V output and can supply at least 3A.

💻 SOFTWARE & FIRMWARE

The project is programmed using the Arduino IDE.

Board selection: ESP32 Dev Module.

Required libraries:

• Adafruit ILI9341

• Adafruit GFX

• XPT2046_Touchscreen

• Adafruit MCP23017

• Adafruit NeoPixel

• ArduinoJson (v7)

The downloadable attachments include:

• Complete Arduino sketch.

• Test sketches.

• Complete PDF assembly and configuration guide.

The PDF guide includes wiring tables, assembly instructions, settings and troubleshooting (in Italian).

Wi-Fi and the Lichess token are configured directly from the chessboard through the OPTIONS menu.

Lichess API token permissions required:

• board

• challenge

📦 INCLUDED FILES

3D MODELS

• 1a_piano_NERO

• 1b_piano_BIANCO

• 1c_piano_BLU

• 2_vassoio_LED

• 3_separatore

• 4_cassettiera

• 5_coperchio_elettronica

• 6_cassetto_x2 (print 2 copies)

• 7a_supporto_display

• 7b_cornice_display

• 9a–9f chess pieces (with 8 × 3 mm magnet recesses)

DOWNLOADABLE ATTACHMENTS

• Complete PDF assembly guide.

• Full Arduino project (ZIP).

• Test sketches.

🆕 SMALLER VERSION – FOR 256 × 256 mm PRINTERS

I have also created a smaller version of the chessboard, designed to fit printers with a 256 × 256 mm build plate, such as the Bambu Lab A1, P1 and X1.

⚠ IMPORTANT: This smaller version has NOT been tested yet. I cannot guarantee that all parts fit correctly or that the complete chessboard works as intended.

If you decide to print this version, please consider it experimental. Feedback and photos of successful builds are very welcome!

⚠ PRINTER COMPATIBILITY

• 268 mm version: Bambu Lab H2S / H2D / H2C and any printer with a build plate of at least 270 × 270 mm.

• 254 mm version: Designed for Bambu Lab X1, P1, P2S and A1 (256 × 256 mm build plates).

⚠ IMPORTANT: The 254 mm version has NOT been tested yet. Compatibility and correct operation cannot be guaranteed.

❤ SUPPORT THE PROJECT

If you build this chessboard, I would love to see your result!

Please share your makes, photos and feedback. Your comments and suggestions help improve the project and make it even better.

If you enjoy this project, don't forget to LIKE, DOWNLOAD and SHARE it on MakerWorld!

Happy printing and happy chess playing! ♟