Electronic "smart" chess boards like the Chessnut Air, DGT Pegasus, or Square Off are impressive — and they usually cost $200–400. ChessGaze takes a different approach: point your phone at the chess set you already own and it becomes a smart board, for free. Here's an honest look at how the two compare so you can pick what's right for you.
| Feature | ChessGaze | Electronic smart board |
|---|---|---|
| Uses the chess board you already own | ✅ | Usually ❌ |
| Uses your phone (no extra hardware) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Price | Free | $200–400 |
| Records moves automatically | ✅ | ✅ |
| PGN export to Lichess / Chess.com | ✅ | ✅ |
| Play against Stockfish | ✅ | ✅ |
| On-board LED move indication | ❌ | ✅ |
| Dedicated hardware & sensors | ❌ | ✅ |
| Works with any set (plastic, wood, themed) | ✅ | ❌ |
| Nothing to charge or carry | ✅ | ❌ |
ChessGaze doesn't pretend to be identical to a dedicated board — it can't light up squares or feel pieces through sensors. What it does is give you most of the digital benefits (recording, analysis, engine play, sharing) with zero extra hardware and zero cost.
Buy an electronic smart board if you want physical LED move guidance, the tactile feel of a dedicated device, or built-in online play without a phone — and you're happy to spend a few hundred dollars.
Use ChessGaze if you'd rather keep the board you love, spend nothing, and still record games, export PGN, and play Stockfish — just by aiming your phone. It's the natural free alternative to an electronic chess board, and it's perfect for recording over-the-board (OTB) games.
Want a beautiful board to use it with? See our original H.C. Andersen chess set →
Deeper head-to-head comparisons with popular electronic boards: