Phantom Chess
Phantom Chess is a robotic chess player. A human makes a move and then the "robot" makes the next move, but nothing is seen except for the chess token moving magically across the board. See video link below.
This project was developed by Greg06 and was presented on the "Instructable" web site.
This project was developed by Greg06 and was presented on the "Instructable" web site.
Video from developer: https://youtu.be/pr_EUNSYxKE?si=vxuHf3svnoBy0pYm
Phantom Chess project page: https://www.instructables.com/Automated-Chessboard/
Phantom Chess project page: https://www.instructables.com/Automated-Chessboard/
Remix
I've made many changes to the original, which I call First Build (later followed by Second Build, Third Build...). Use the navigation menu at bottom of this script. The text here is a summary.
First Build I built this according to the instructions given on the developer's project page but soon realized some shortcomings. The system wasn't very stable, the rollers on the V-rail were not reliable and could loosen, resulting in failure of the apparatus. I also didn't care for using the Arduino Nano in such a high memory, fast calculating environment where the program has to guess the next move. Click on the page menu at bottom of this page for further details.
Second Build I substituted an Espressif ESP32 for the Nano. I haven't tested any of the functionality yet and I did not breadboard the circuit but I'm "hopeful". It "should work". I made a PCB for the ESP32t and the 4 multiplexers and I changed orientation of the reed switches to diagonal instead of horizontal.
Third Build I redid the rail system, making it longer to accommodate an area where captured pieces could be placed (by the Phantom). I also went completely with 2040 rail because of it's sturdiness. The mechanism doesn't sit in a confining box now, since I know consider this project a PROTOTYPE with changes on the fly, so it is now an "open build". No more reed switches, I'm now using analog Hall effect switches instead, which allows me to differentiate between black and white pieces.
4th Build
First Build I built this according to the instructions given on the developer's project page but soon realized some shortcomings. The system wasn't very stable, the rollers on the V-rail were not reliable and could loosen, resulting in failure of the apparatus. I also didn't care for using the Arduino Nano in such a high memory, fast calculating environment where the program has to guess the next move. Click on the page menu at bottom of this page for further details.
Second Build I substituted an Espressif ESP32 for the Nano. I haven't tested any of the functionality yet and I did not breadboard the circuit but I'm "hopeful". It "should work". I made a PCB for the ESP32t and the 4 multiplexers and I changed orientation of the reed switches to diagonal instead of horizontal.
Third Build I redid the rail system, making it longer to accommodate an area where captured pieces could be placed (by the Phantom). I also went completely with 2040 rail because of it's sturdiness. The mechanism doesn't sit in a confining box now, since I know consider this project a PROTOTYPE with changes on the fly, so it is now an "open build". No more reed switches, I'm now using analog Hall effect switches instead, which allows me to differentiate between black and white pieces.
4th Build
The FINAL project will appear on THIS page.