***  IMPORTANT NOTICE  ***

Because the Dream Cheeky USB chess board  is no longer in production and stocks are now hard to come by,    Matt the USB software developer has now designed a new type of USB chess board interface. 

Based on the Teensy USB Development Boards, Matt has named his project 'Sish - Computer Interfacing DIY Chessboards'. As this web site describes how to build chess boards using the Dream Cheeky USB Control Unit, these can now easily be replaced by the Teensy USB Development Board running Matt's new software.  

Details of Matt's new project and more can be found at;  

http://sishchess.blogspot.com/

Arena now works perfectly with Matt's new software

Details of my new Teensy board can be found by clicking the above Index section

Above photo is the new Teensy board interfacing with Arena Chess

  

 A step by step guide on how to build a cheap and easy USB chess board that connects to the Dream Cheeky USB sensory chess board control unit that will enable you to play against chess programs such as Fritz and Chessmaster. 

I have designed three different types of boards. 

Firstly a full size wooden chess board shown that uses momentary switches to relay the moves. 

Secondly is a full size vinyl press sensory board that uses self adhesive aluminium foil tape to relay the moves.

** New for 2012 **

Thirdly a modern designed full size semi rigid plastic board that sits on top of the momentary switches. 

I hope that after looking at my designs you might decide to try and build something similar. If you do then please send photos of your completed board and I will include them in the 'Gallery' section.

The new USB communication software has been produced by Matt “Fragilio” on Chess.com.

Read about Matt's announcement of his new software in the 'Software' section plus read about the first DIY board built by Jimmy Patterson on the link below.


If you have any questions about my boards please email bryan.whitby@btinternet.com