Chessconnect: a free chrome extension for electronic chessboards

It does work on Android when you use the Kiwi browser. iPhone is a different story, tough.

Btw, is there anybody out there who has access to a Bluetooth DGT board (not Pegasus) who would be willing to help me get this board connected? Preferably someone with some computer skills. Not programming, but some digging into Bluetooth device properties might be necessary.

The Kiwi browser on Android is the way to go. I have it on 3 different Android devices all with different Android versions.

@Rsava - unfortunately I'm an iPhone/iPad guy.

Just installed the 3.2.12 beta to test with my DGT USB board. Board connects and shows green in chess.com, however, when I start a game with a bot/computer, no pieces are moved when I move them on the board. I do have the mini USB version, not the usb C version. Wondering if that makes a difference? Also, does this work with the chess.com bots? Thanks again

Hi @androp,

easy answer first: yes it does work with chess.com bots.

The most common cause for moves not being transmitted to the website is that there is one piece on the board not standing on the correct field. Or standing on the correct field but off center so, that it is not registered. That's easy to spot on board with LEDs but harder to see on a board without. (Happened to me a lot).

If that can be ruled out, please enable debug messages in the Chessconnect options. If you then get an error message, please let me know. If not, I would ask you the check the developer console (as described here) and send me it's content.

Ok sounds good. I will try these ideas tomorrow and I will report back. FYI my DGT board works fine with chess.com using DGT Live software, but of course not bots, which is why I would love to get your awesome software working. Ok talk soon…

@androp: Thanks for being patient. I just had another user writing a one star review about Chessconnect being completely dysfunctional without even trying to contact me. 😕

Can you tell me, what board you are using? I can then check with DGT, if that differs from the ones that I tested with.

Hello @androp, somehow linked to your situation, even if not directly addressing your issue: I had a DGT mini-USB board as well, and I ordered from DGT the so-called "USB-C upgrade Kit", which basically consists of a couple of interface boards, cable and connectors that you install in your DGT board, transforming it from mini-USB to USB-C.

I had to do so, since the mini-USB was giving me connection issues with Acid Ape, the app that I use on my android device. Since the upgrade, no more issues, connection with the PC and the android device is fully reliable.

There should still be a forum thread from me on this subject.

Hope this (somehow) helps.

AG

Thanks agatti. Interesting. Well, my board was actually a serial board, and about 10 years ago I ordered something similar, which converted it from serial to USB - mini. I had to remove the back plate and chisel the new hole to make it USB mini. I can probably now order the exact USB C kit you are talking about, but I wish I had an Android device to test first. Ok thanks, good idea.

Androp, a friend of mine had the same DGT Serial as you, and he got interested in the USB-C kit when he saw my upgrade. We didn't know if, being a serial one, his board would have worked, but with the help of DGT, we ordered the kit, worked on the board like you described to accommodate the new printed circuits, and... it worked! He now enjoys a USB-C board. Of course, you can use such USB-C board with a PC, not just an android device.

Version 3.2 has been submitted to Google and will be released soon.

Version 3.3 will bring support for DGT Pegasus. (That was a tough nut to crack)

WOW! That is amazing.

The Pegasus implementation brings a whole new perspective to that board for me now.

Fantastic work.

(Chessnut Air) Amazing. It works with Chess.com and Lichess. It even shows battery %.

I contacted them but was turned down. 😔

Somehow, I'm not surprised. I have a fairly negative impression of Square Off as a company, in terms of how they treat customers.

Dear All, 
Today I got my new Chessnut air. Looks great. I wanted to connect it via USB using the chessconnect chrome extension but unfortunately I was not successful it shows me that everything is paired but there is no connection with the board. When I start a game no led light lights up to place the pieces and when I make a move, nothing happens. I checked chrome permissions and that seems to be fine. I have a mac but I also tried on windows connecting to the native app via USB but this also did not work. Bluetooth works fine but I would really prefer to connect via USB. Does anybody of you have some experience with that and would you know what can be the issue? I would be very grateful for advice.

Hi alesk1986,

can you try with Bluetooth? And with lichess? Does any of these work?

Thank you for your quick reply. Bluetooth works fine. But I prefer cable when possible. Tried on Lichess and it is completly the same. It says connected and the collor is green. When I open the window it says chessnut air paired but the board does not do anything. I really love the extention you have created. It is very simple but effective. Would love to contribute as well when we get it working.