Square Off - Chess Set

I've been using mine in the garden in the sunshine all weekend. Lovely! https://youtu.be/vjM_04ub0xQ

That's odd. Several posts appear to have suddenly disappeared from this thread, including some of mine. I am wondering if this is because - along with praising Square Off as being loads of fun and even better than I expected - I questioned whether Square Off's description of the product being 'handcrafted' and 'finished in rosewood' was misleading, given that the surface of the board is clearly printed (repeating patterns all over it) and the pieces in my set appear to be some sort of resin. 

A fellow forum member who I'll politely not name did object to me being negative about the product, provided me with a dictionary description of the word 'misleading' and told me to buy it and enjoy it instead. Perhaps then it was my reply to this, pointing out that I already owned and enjoyed the product, and asking him to please ignore my posts in the future if he didn't like them, that led to the post disappearing?

Whatever the reason, as a new forum member, I would appreciate an explanation from whoever knows the answer so that I can better understand the rules of this thread. If indeed it's the case that one isn't allowed to raise issues about third-party products, then that would be remarkable. But I'd like to know. Thanks.

I still see the posts you are referring to. A poster talked about the dictionary meaning of 'finish' . I don't recall a post about the definition of 'misleading' and I've been following this thread. The post mentioning "buy and enjoy one instead of trying to find fault" is definitely still there.

If it's not there for you then perhaps that poster has blocked you? Not sure if the forums ehre filter out posts from blocked members.

Too weird - the posts have just reappeared! I probably sound crazy, but I swear they weren't there the last couple of days...

Anyway, you're quite right BaronVonChickenpants (great name by the way :-)) the definition that was offered to me was for 'finish' not for 'misleading'. 

Anyway, water under the bridge.

On another note, the Square Off really is loads of fun, but it's humbling me. Level one and two are very beatable, but at level 3, there seems to be a big jump in Stockfish's ability.  I've only beaten it at level 3 once in three goes - which probably says more about me than the computer. Being beaten by real, moving pieces feels much more humiliating than being beaten by a computer screen! Decided to enrol in some chess lessons as a result :-)

By the way, anyone know if there's a way to link Square Off to chess.com's online lessons?

I don't think you can, its just for playing games, you can't do puzzles or lessons linked here.

FYI I've just been informed by Square Off that coaching will soon be coming to the app, in keeping with the features advertised for the forthcoming Neo and Swap boards.

I have the Excalibur Mirage and my issue with that unit was it was so slow and sometimes the chess pieces would get stuck...   Not sure how the Square Off unit will function long term but it seems to use the same X/Y Servos and electro magnets to move the chess pieces...  Just a bit concerned that the speed and durability will be the same as Excalibur Mirage or even the MB unit from the 1980s....   

Thanks for sharing...!!   

i have no idea how well it will hold up with time, but the one I bought was 15 months old already and it works without a hitch. It’s easily fast enough for a standard game of chess - but of course blitz is out of the question. The auto reset feature of the grand kingdom is painfully slow however, but fine if you just leave it to get on with it. All in all I love it and would easily recommend it. It’s a lot of fun!

Thanks...   for the reply Kriminy!!!  The Excalibur Mirage has the same movements and all the big draw is the APP so other people can play with you (missing due to TECH advance of internet and smartphone) but otherwise seems to be the same...   Question?  Has the MAGENT ever lost track of a piece during movement so that you (human) has to move it to the correct playing space or the capture area manually...?  

Yeah, the auto reset is a fun gimmick. I will have it reset the board while analysing the game I just played with chess.com tools, or grabbing a drink! 

Thats very expensive!

November shipping date for the new models?  I was Coronabored and googled Squareoff the other day and found them taking preorders with a November estimated delivery.  Not a good sign...

They have posted a few backer updates detailing delays due to the virus. 

Here's a copy/paste from Indiegogo:

I'd be surprised if they started shipping then but I am in no hurry.

That eBay Squareoff - totally insane price. It's hard to believe that anyone would pay that, and yet it says 2 available/2 sold... 

May have been sold on the same listing for a lower price