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Introducing Speechess - The speech-to-chess browser extension

Introducing Speechess - The speech-to-chess browser extension

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rathirohit
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Do you ever wish you could play chess without needing to use a mouse or keyboard? Whether it’s for convenience, accessibility, or simply a new way to experience the game. I’m excited to share "Speechess" - a free chrome extension that lets you play chess using just your voice.

Speechess is already live and you can install it for free from the Chrome Web Store: Speechess on Chrome Web Store

(Note: Speechess is currently in Beta, and I’d love for you to try it out and share your feedback. Feel free to drop your feedbacks, suggestions and bug reports at rathirohitg1997@gmail.com)

What is Speechess?

Speechess (name derived from Speech+Chess, that was obvious, isn't it?) is a Chrome extension that brings voice control to online chess platforms. Today, it works with Chess.com and Lichess, two of the most popular chess websites. This tool is designed to make your chess-playing experience smoother, whether you’re casually enjoying a game or focusing on improving your skills.

Here are a few reasons to give Speechess a try -

  • Convenience: Play chess hands-free while multitasking or relaxing. Simply say your moves aloud, and they’ll be executed.
  • Accessibility: Speechess is particularly helpful for players who face physical challenges using a mouse or keyboard.
  • Focus: Stay immersed in your game without distractions from manual inputs.

How to get started?

Using Speechess is simple and straightforward -

  1. Install the extension: Add Speechess to your Chrome browser from the Chrome Web Store.
  2. Visit Chess.com or Lichess game page: Start a game on one of these supported platforms.
  3. Activate voice commands: Click the extension icon to inject the widget and Start button to begin listening.
  4. Speak out moves: Call out the moves using full-numeric-notations and see the pieces moving on board! For each move, you can -
    - call combined source and destination. Ex. "52 73" for e2 -> g3
    - or call source and destination separately. Ex. "52" for e2 followed by "73" for g3

    During promotion, move the pawn first and then say the piece number to promote to.
    "1" for Queen, "2" for Rook, "3" for Bishop and "4" for Knight.

Alternatively, you can check out this short video to get a sense of Speechess -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pLx73NJ35Y

Native & Privacy focused experience

  • Privacy focused: The extension only listens if you explicitly start it. Furthermore, Speechess uses browser's built-in WebSpeech API, so it never sends your audio data to server.
  • Numeric board support: Speechess can convert the alphabetic notations on board to numeric ones in single click for easy reference. Just click the "Numbers" toggle to see this in action.
  • Help menu: The extension widget comes with built-in help menu that can be toggled using the "?" button. This contains all the commands and instructions.
  • Dark mode support: I've built this extension to make it feel like part of the site, hence, Speechess renders with almost native-like UX and respects light/dark theme of host platform.

Your feedback matters!

Since Speechess is in its early stages, I’m eager to hear your thoughts. Whether you have suggestions for improvement or encounter any issues, your feedback will help in making the extension better for everyone.

Feel free to drop me a mail at rathirohitg1997@gmail.com with your feedbacks, suggestions and bug reports. Additionally, if you enjoy using the extension, please leave a review on the Chrome Web Store.

Try Speechess today

If you’re looking for a hands-free way to play chess, give Speechess a try. It’s free, easy to use, and a unique way to enjoy the game we all love.

Happy playing!