An electronic chess board lets someone play online or against a computer on real pieces. The DGT Pegasus links to Lichess through DGT’s app, while every Chessnut board lists Lichess, Chess.com and Chessable. Choose the compact Air for travel, the wooden Pro for a full-size feel, the Evo for a built-in screen, or the self-moving Move.
Electronic chess boards compared
The electronic chess boards below come from two makers that publish their specs. The question that matters most is which online site the recipient already plays on, so start with the app column.
| Board | Size | Online platforms | How it shows moves | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DGT Pegasus | 35 x 35 cm, 40 mm squares | Lichess (DGT Chess app) and other qualified apps | LED rings | Lichess players who want a light board |
| Chessnut Air / Air+ | Backpack size | Lichess, Chess.com, Chessable | Lights | Travel, students; Air+ adds a wooden finish |
| Chessnut Pro | Full size, 55 mm squares | Lichess, Chess.com, Chessable | LEDs beneath the wood | Club players, a centerpiece for the home |
| Chessnut Evo | Between Air and Pro | Apps run on the board itself | Built-in touchscreen | Study without a phone |
| Chessnut Move | Classic tabletop | Lichess, Chess.com, Chessable | Pieces move themselves | Gadget lovers, puzzle setup |
How an electronic chess board connects
Most electronic chess boards talk to an app on a phone or tablet. When the online opponent moves, the board lights up the squares, and the player moves that piece by hand. When the player moves, the board senses it and sends the move to the app.
The DGT Pegasus connects over Bluetooth Low Energy and has a 1,000 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion battery that charges over USB with the included cable. DGT names Lichess, through the DGT Chess app, among the platforms qualified for the board, along with Chess for Android, White Pawn and Chessconnect. The board measures 35 by 35 cm with 40 mm squares, and DGT gives a weight of 1,360 g for the board and pieces together.
Electronic and smart chess boards
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Which electronic chess board suits a Chess.com player?
Chessnut says every board in its range uses full-piece recognition and works with apps including Lichess, Chess.com and Chessable. That makes the range a safe pick when you know the recipient plays on Chess.com or studies openings on Chessable. If they play only on Lichess, the DGT Pegasus is also an option.
Tip
Full-size and touchscreen smart chess boards
The Chessnut Pro is a full-size wooden board with 55 mm squares, which sits within FIDE’s 5 to 6 cm range for tournament boards. It has no visible screens or buttons, and LEDs beneath the wood show the moves. It suits a club player who wants practice on a board that feels like a tournament set.
The Chessnut Evo works as a standalone chess computer. It has a built-in color touchscreen running Android, so the Lichess or Chess.com app runs on the board with no phone needed. Chessnut includes the Maia chess engine, which it describes as trained on millions of human games so that it plays more like a person than a perfect calculator. In size, it sits between the Air and the Pro.
A chess board with self-moving pieces
The Chessnut Move drives the pieces across the board by itself, so an online opponent’s move happens in front of the player. Because the board knows which piece is which, the player can also move several pieces by hand at once. Its visual auto-setup takes a photo of a puzzle and moves the pieces into that position. It suits a gadget fan.
More chess gift ideas
For a travel set without electronics, see magnetic chess sets. For tournament-size wooden sets and giant yard sets, our guide to which chess set to give covers the full range, and the chess gift guides section gathers every chess page.
Frequently asked questions
Do electronic chess boards work with Chess.com?
Some do. Chessnut lists Lichess, Chess.com and Chessable for every board in its range. DGT lists Lichess, through its DGT Chess app, among the platforms qualified for the Pegasus. Check the recipient's site before buying.
How does an electronic chess board show the opponent's move?
Most use lights. The DGT Pegasus uses LED rings to show where the online opponent moved, and the Chessnut Pro uses subtle LEDs beneath the wood. The player then moves the opponent's piece by hand. The Chessnut Move moves pieces by itself.
Do I need a phone to use an electronic chess board?
Most boards connect to a phone or tablet app over Bluetooth. The Chessnut Evo is the exception in this range: it has a built-in touchscreen running Android, so Lichess or Chess.com can run on the board itself.
Is an electronic chess board good for a beginner?
It can be, since the board connects to apps with lessons, puzzles and computer opponents. The Chessnut Evo includes the Maia engine, which Chessnut describes as trained on human games so it plays more like a person.
Sources
Part of our guide to Chess Gifts: Sets, Travel Boards, Electronic Boards and Themes.
Board Game Gifts · Section 04, Classic boards and chess · Updated October 25, 2026
