ChessPuterMk1 (CPM1)

Basically this is a box and chess board for my ChessPuter. I'm going to fit a Raspberry Pi inside and I've written my own chess engine (thChessV3). There's a lot to do and these files may change quite often at this early prototype stage - please keep checking back. The castlation edge moulding serves to hide the raw plywood edge, retain some (what I call) tin skins and function as wiring conduit for LEDs on that will be placed on the battlements. I'll use the pi to light up the LEDs like all those cool 1980s chess computers before they got too expensive. The retained skins protect the board surface. In my case it doesn't matter but you may want to protect some exquisite hardwood veneer marquetry. Alas, I haven't got the skills of Norm Abram (or Blizzard if your from the UK).

I've put some lead fishing weights inside the pieces and magnet so it'll work well with the tin skin and make an ideal travel set (say) if you're travelling by a train or boat. You could play with the board upside down on a wall, the ceiling or zero gravity - fancy a game Tim Peake? Those skins can slide in and out and be replaced with other games etc. I've got a great chess themed idea based on the film 'Tron' - Walt D. give me a ring! The skins could be screen printed, drawn on with a chinagraph pencil, paper print out s(possibly laminated) for paper themed games etc. - Spears Games give me a ring! You can have a different and personalised chess skin to enjoy anytime you like.

I hate sets where all the beautiful pieces rattle around in transit and it seems such a chore sorting and setting them up. It's nice to have them safely racked up inside the box which means you also know if one has gone missing. It doesn't matter just 3d print another these days. I hate travel sets where you've got no where to put the captured men so you can see with skin0001 I've reduced the square size so any captured men can be placed to one side. I then noticed the battlements didn't line but I just shaped them in - I think I've got away with it. If I make the pi on a removable chassis when I go out hustling (hence why I'm reading Simon Web's Chess for Tigers) I can just about get my flask and lemon curd sarnies inside. Let's face it they're not going let me transport this mysterious box on a plane to the Bangkok Open. Although I only go as far as South Cockerington church hall when the doors are open for a wet Thursday night dinner - it's a show with everything but Yul Brynner.

Thanks for looking,

More info at:
http://www.tyharness.dx.am/chess/chess1.htm