Rating: â­â­â­â­â­ (5/5 stars)

Review:

I recently purchased the Square Off Pro Electronic Chess Board for both myself and my kids, and I must say, it has completely transformed our chess-playing experience! This innovative and sleek chess board is a true game-changer, and I highly recommend it to all chess enthusiasts, from beginners to seasoned players.

First and foremost, the craftsmanship of the Square Off Pro is outstanding. The board is made with high-quality materials that exude durability and elegance. The attention to detail in the construction is evident, providing a smooth and satisfying playing surface. It feels as though you are playing on a traditional wooden chess board, but with a touch of modern technology.

The most remarkable feature of this electronic chess board is undoubtedly the automated movement of the chess pieces. With the Square Off Pro, you can play against AI opponents or even challenge friends and family remotely through the app. Witnessing the pieces magically move on their own accord is simply mesmerizing. It adds a whole new level of excitement and immersion to the game, making it feel like you are playing against a real-life opponent, even when you're alone.

Setting up the Square Off Pro is a breeze. The app is user-friendly and connects seamlessly to the board via Bluetooth. The ability to choose different difficulty levels allows beginners to learn and improve their skills gradually, while seasoned players can engage in thrilling battles against challenging AI opponents. The board also has a useful hint system, which can guide players towards better moves and strategies, enhancing the learning experience.

The Square Off Pro is not only a fantastic chess board but also a beautiful piece of decor. When not in use, it serves as an eye-catching centerpiece on our coffee table, attracting the attention and curiosity of our guests. It is evident that this chess board was designed with both aesthetics and functionality in mind.

Lastly, I must mention the exceptional customer service provided by the Square Off team. They were quick to respond to my queries and went above and beyond to ensure my satisfaction. Their commitment to customer support is truly commendable and adds an extra layer of trust and reliability to the product.

In conclusion, the Square Off Pro Electronic Chess Board is an absolute gem that has enriched our chess-playing experience in countless ways. Its exquisite design, automated movement, and seamless app integration make it a must-have for chess enthusiasts of all ages. Whether you are a beginner looking to learn or a seasoned player seeking a unique challenge, this electronic chess board is the perfect companion. I wholeheartedly give it five stars and can't recommend it enough!

Pros: Portable, easy out of the box operation -- simple set up. Unbox, set up the pieces, download the app, and connect the board in the app settings ... then you are ready to play. Tournament sized set. Excellent price for what you get.

Cons: Android app will not allow selection of custom time controls on chess.com. I bought this item specifically to play training games of 90/30 on chess.com as part of the GM Jesse Kraai, IM David Pruess and IM Kostya Kavutskiy's Chess Dojo training program. This was a show stopper for me, so Im processing the item for a return and refund. Time controls are selectable but hard-wired and limited. Available selections are 10 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 15 minutes with a 10 second increment, and 45 minutes with a 45 second increment.

UPDATE: Square Off customer service indicated that the problem with the time control is that chess.com has not included it in their public API. So, I added a star back to my initial rating. This is a good unit if you know its limitations.

I also was not impressed with the design, weight and color of the pieces. The squares are 2 inches in size which is the smallest allowable for official "tournament" sets. The pieces look a bit over-sized for the 2 inch squares. Would be better with 2.25 inch squares. 2.25 inch squares are most common in tournament sets.

A "perfect" Square Off Pro set would have 2.25 inch squares with pieces having a base diameter that does not swallow the squares they occupy and completely selectable time controls for online play. An imitation wood color would also be nice -- at least something not so blindingly white. Piece colors should not match the color of the squares (there should be *some* contrast. Also, the pieces need to be heavy on the bottom (so it is not easy to knock the pieces over).

Square Off did a great job with this chess set. When I received the Square Off Pro it came in a nice portable case that contained the chess board, pieces, charging cable, and phone holder. All the pieces are wrapped which can be shown in the picture I shared. There are bags for the chess pieces and the rollable chess board along with Velcro straps to keep the chess board rolled up. The pieces are weighted with high quality and decent size for easy play. Set up was easy and straight forward with the Square Off app. I already successfully played against an AI, played against a player online, and played against my uncle in a different continent! The board reads illegal moves properly and can track the game easily on the Square Off app. Square off also does a great job with teaching chess with chess analysis and allowing games to start in various chess openings. Overall, the product is durable with high quality and great for chess players of all levels.

Muy buena inversión y más si es para un regalo

Like board for most part but sometimes it doesn't display move and have to look at app board to determine. App is a little confusing and had to follow. No user manual? Just video. However, good chat support.