Chessconnect: a free chrome extension for electronic chessboards

As a result of the discussion in this thread, I have developed a Chrome extension that allows owners of Chessnut smartboards to play live tournaments on chess.com.

The extension is called Chessconnect (for which I apologize. I just could not come up with a better name) and is available for free in the Chrome web store.

It was initially developed just for myself because I wanted to play live tournament so badly. Since then it has grown somewhat of a user base and that is why I am opening this thread as a central point for topics referring to Chessconnect.

The software is fully functional but still a little rough around the edges. If you want to give it a try, please read the (somewhat lengthy) description in the webstore. It contains some helpful tips.

I received a lot of helpful suggestions from my users that helped me improve the extension and make it more fun to play with. So, if you are using it or willing to give it a try, I would be more then happy to read your feedback here in this thread. If possible, I will try too incorporate you feedback and ideas into new releases.

Chessconnect started as and will always remain a community effort. Meaning, it will always remain free.

Finally, I would like to thank chess.com user @Gallinarius for his ideas and his testing effort during the initial phase of this project. The tool would not exist without his support.

Happy fair games,

Jörn

P.S.: My ToDo List for the next releases:

• Integrate the "Connect" button more nicely into the chess.com page
• Look into an integration with Lichess

Important information: chess.com just released an update which is incompatible with the current version 1.11 of Chessconnect. I have submitted an updated version 1.12 to the Chrome web store. As soon as as google has approved of this update, it will be available in the web store and Chessconnect will be working again.

I am sorry for this, but obviously chess.com does not inform me of upcoming changes. Nor do I expect them to.

the chess.com update might have affected the Chessnut mobile App also... so for now, your chrome extension is the only thing that allows me to play. Well done !!! And THANKS !

I just released version 1.14. The connect button is now integrated more nicely into chess.com page. However, in focus mode it is now hidden. Please let me know, if this is a problem. I will try and come up with a solution then.

Thank you for creating this. Much appreciated.

I received my Chessnut Air this weekend and love it.

Unfortunately, I couldn't get the PC App to work on Chess.com. Maybe it hasn't been updated to account for the recent changes?

Your extension solved that problem.

Thank You

New version 1.16 is currently under evaluation by google.

New in this version: In the options dialog you can now choose between beeping when the opponent moved, saying the move via text to speech or simply stay quiet.

Nice. Thank You.

@joernupbde - very nice extension. Worked very well for me, using my Chessnut Air.

I recently got the Evo as well so my Air playing time will likely diminish but it is good to have in my back pocket to use when needed. I have two questions for you :

1. This does not seem to work in the Brave browser, any chance there is a setting I have set that prevents it? Or do you know what might cause it?

2. Can I "Buy you a coffee"? I always like to do something for the developers of stuff I use.

I just released version . The connect button is now integrated more nicely into chess.com page. However, in focus mode it is now hidden. Please let me know, if this is a problem. I will try and come up with a solution then.

Hello. Just for info concerning Linux usage, i installed the chrome extension no problems and i do get the "connect" button (it appears on the left hand side of the display", but it does not connect with my Chessnut Air, no dialog or error messages neither. My setup is Steam dech so basically Arch Linux.

Hi Rsava,

it's difficult for me to support all the possible browsers out there. Hence, I only support chrome. Other browsers may or may not work. 😔

As for the coffee, it really makes me happy, when people take the time to write, saying that their are using my extension. As you did. So, thank you very much! 🙏

Kind regards,

Jörn

Hi al81lu,

that's odd. Which version of chrome are you using? And also, can you please check on the "manage you extensions" tab, if chessconnect gave any errors? If so, can you please post the error log?

Kind regards,

Jörn

Wow, it's really impressive. Good job!

@joernupbde My Chrome version is: Version (Official Build)

Version 118.0.5993.117 (Official Build)

In the "manage your extensions" there is no error messages

Thanks for putting the work in! I’m a little confused though. I play USCF live tournaments on my pro without any issues and haven’t downloaded your extension

Hi Oceanblue31,

the original software from Chessnut has (or had?) a problem with the cheat detection system on chess.com. My extension circumvents this problem. Plus some small gimmicks like beeping on an opponent's move or saying the move out loud.

If the chessnut software works for you, there is absolutely no need for the chessconnect extension.

Okay, thanks. And thanks for putting the time in for those who do need it.

Amazing stuff.! Still waiting for my Chessnut board - is a Safari version planned as well? 
Would love to see more support from chess.com for these kind of projects tbh.

Safari version is not currently planned. But following the video from @vitualis I received a lot of good input from the community. So, there are some interesting updates in the pipeline. Such as

• support for Millenium boards (shout out to Millinium for helping me there!)
• get rid of the limitation that on Cessnut pro the control panel has to be on the left side of the player playing white
• make the beep sound less annoying
• add some LED animations to moves, checks and/or mates (optional of course)

And yes, more support from chess.com would be much appreciated. Especially when it comes to cheat detection. I had a review on the Chrome Webstore where a user had trouble with cheat detection. If that happens to you, please let me now and ideally also file a support request on chess.com. If you do not get a satisfying answer from their support, let them now. Second level support proved to be much more helpful to me.

It would be so much easier, if they could just officially acknowledge Chessconnect.

Keep up the great work!

Just to note and confirm that Chessconnect works as expected on ChromeOS/Chromebooks!

Also, a couple of potential requests from me if possible 🙏:

• An option for the "Connect" button to be an icon when the chess.com menu bar is "collapsed" so that it fits with the site aesthetics better (I normally have the sidebar collapsed)
• An option for the extension to be available for Microsoft Edge. I'm hoping that as Edge is based off Chromium, it shouldn't be too difficult?! The reason for this is I actually do my screen capture recordings of the chess.com board using Edge rather than Chrome as on Windows, chess.com animations seems to run more smoothly (consistent 60 fps).