I reckon the reason why it doesn't have the numbers/letters at the edge is because, when you play as black, you still play from the same side (so that you can see the little electronic display). Although I guess that, at more expense and size of board, they could maybe have put an 'electronic ink' strip along three sides to do that.
Maybe it's too late to ask a question here about this board, but I'm really wondering about if it doesn't get into problems with the friendly mode if I would have a friend play a game on it against the computer?
I got one a few days ago. I have had various raspberry pi's over the years, and the weak link is always the SD card, they get corrupted and unreadable eventually. I took my Centaur apart and cloned the SD card to a couple others. I have one of the copies now in the Centaur, with the original and another copy stored in the box for when the SD card eventually get corrupted and the board no longer works.
I just got mine yesterday. I played a few games in friendly mode and got my ass kicked to the curb. I thought I could beat it, since I used to play chess regularly when I was young(er). I kept trying hard to fork and in the end, it forked me
Hi Ray, did you know, as long as your OWN chess pieces have some weight to them, you can use a foil dot or square as little as 5mm stuck to the bottom of them , and then the centaur still works .
That is truly wonderful ! I want to buy a ‘Centaur’ but was put off by the pieces. I’m a great lover of Lewis pieces. So, if I do the above, they should work ? ! Thank you so much 👍
Seemed to take half a minute to decide it's next move (around 8'30") - can that be adjusted? I'd find it frustrating waiting for a computer to take that long to decide its next move!
Great video! It's clear you find pleasure in the game, and that in itself is worth the price. However, I am keen to learn if this board has helped improve your strength. Can you let us know? Thank you!
Chess newbie here. Thanks for the video! Like you, my friends don't play and my one experience at a local club wasn't great. I just ordered this board and looking forward to play somewhere besides online.
Would metal construction under table of DGT Centaur be a problem? I know that would be an issue for the Wenge DGT and I guess because of magnetic system. The Centaur pieces appear to be detected by magnetic system. While manual does state issue with Wenge DGT, it doesn't with this Centaur. Possibly a manual omission error?
Always when i see the DGT Pi i wonder why they don’t build in a pixel based display. Some texts look so weird on it. And since its 250€ it should be possible to have at least Gameboy Color Technology in there :D.
Slick design, bit of a shame they left the bottom open. It has the advantage with piece recognition and thus no pressing down when doing moves compared to some other alternatives in the same budget. Makes a lot of different and plays like a non digital chess board in that regard.
I have one coming next week , with the bag as well, was rather annoyed I had to pay a import duty , but there you go , when you filmed the underside I was surprised it never had a cover ?
Thanks for the review. I prefer moving and seeing real pieces vs playing on my laptop or PC. I was going to go with the Square Off but I keep getting the feeling from other reviews that it is problematic. This appears not to be as there are no moving parts so I may go with this set. Can you tell me what the battery life is like? How long before recharging required?
Good choice! I have a square off board also, it's very good, prefer this one though, Battery life lasts for days/weeks, but a charger is also close to hand.
You say there are not many chess clubs. I have to disagree. Whatever area you are from there will be a chess league lurking behind the scenes. My local chess league is the Cleveland Chess Association - and they are nothing but full of friendly, helpful to any level of chess players members. I hate to think there is an enthusiastic chess player not having their potential fulfilled. Well done on your review, thank you.
Hi, Did you try a reset, whilst the leds are lighting press the ? mark 4 or 5 times quickly. You will see the test data in the window, after the rows have lit one by one, press and hold the ? mark for 3 seconds, this will allow you to test all the other functions.
Great review. I've heard that this learns your level as you play so gives a fairly even game. What if two people want to use the board on separate occasions? ie. If I played on this for a while and then my wife started learning the game and wanted to practise. Is there anyway to tell it who's playing?
Hi, Could you please help me to get my DGT 3000 and my DGT board connected to my raspberry pi, so that I can begin to play chess online via FICS server. Specific instructions would be greatly appreciated. What is the pin out on the raspberrypi and how do you connect it to the DGT a clock? Great starter video. Thanks!
Hi Ray I’ve ordered my DGT Centaur Set. Looking forward to its arrival. Excited. I like how it doesn’t have printed notation on the board. Helps us think to finally remember the grids. Has anyone worked out how to offer a draw ? I also heard Centaur one guy said his Centaur didn’t acknowledge En passant so check on your board I will on mine when it arrives also. Ray I know you would prefer DGT factory board notation. But you could use nice black sicker transfers in bottom your left corner of each cell grid required
Hi Ray I’ve ordered my DGT Centaur Set. Looking forward to its arrival. Excited. I like how it doesn’t have printer notation on the board. Helps us think to finally remember the grids. Has anyone worked out how to offer a draw ? I also heard Centaur one guy said his Centaur didn’t acknowledge En passant so check on your board I will on mine when it arrives also.
@@paul8093 I know it's not glass. I was making a comparison. I guess the lights on this board wouldn't light up on darker squares, that's the only reason I can think of for having the shades on the squares so similar.
@@Sassonic ik this but glass chess boards are dif for one the black sqaures on glass one is clear and very hard to tell the difference if you don't sit the board on right platform This board I can easily tell difference because it's a solid color color reminds me of play Magnus theme But anyways some folks have dif taste so I agree they should add dif themes I myself personally like the grey and white theme I also like the Green and white
22:18 reccomends H4 because it gives and escape square for Bishop, Plus sets a trap if black takes with bishop the Qh5 threaten mate and blacks bishop at same time Plus in London it's not uncommon to not castle as white and instead make a king side Pawn storm U taking knight with knight would of just gained Black a temp with an attack on ur white sqaure bishop Anyways good video I have ordered mine today Of course if black moves to Nf6 it stops and defends, both mate and and bishop So instead of Q H5 first bishop takes knight then after black recaptures then Qh5 and both attacks can't be stopped so u either get mate or gain a bishop 👍
Hey, how do you think the PI PICO Chess project compares to the DGTPI? Do you have good control over the engines and strength? Does it play as well as the Centaur?
Highly entertaining videos. Thanks. I have a DGT board and I am very interested in picking between making my own PI machine and buying the DGTPI machine. I do have a DGT Centaur on the way. Comes in the mail tomorrow.
Finally, a good honest review for this product. I have one coming tomorrow in the mail. This video would have helped me a lot with my choice. I found most of the videos were just trying to sell it without the details.
I ordered it from amazon.ca which was shipped from the chechz. It was 550 CAD with a carry bag. They have dropped their price to 500 CAD. The product plays great chess. It feels almost seemless. Best part is I can play a game against a friend who needs help once in a while in analyze mode. Evens the playing field.
The electronic chess set I have is so hard, on the easiest level I can't win a single game. I have literally never beat the computer. This may be better.
It's not really about winning tho You learn more losing then u do winning as long as u look back to see where u went wrong good way to play chess computers is not turning down the level but to leave on strongest level and remove some of the pieces from the computer Example : remove computer Queen if u can beat it easily then try only removing computers Rook and so on Not saying this chess computer is not worth buying because I'm getting one lol I like how u don't have to push down on every move
@@paul8093 On the electronic chess board I have, it has many levels. On Level 1, I can never beat the game. The closest I got was a tie but I have yet to win even once. If I can't beat it at level 1, Level 10 must be a complete blood bath. To me, it seems this problem is something the DGT Centaur took into consideration when designing their electronic chess set. To be honest, I am not really that good at chess
@@Acujeremy We all start somewhere but we don't get good by playing someone or something easy to beat we get better by going thru our games and seeing where we could do better I suggest starting with end games this is much more important then learning openings When u know how to win a certain end game then ur entire play will improve because u will know what end games to aim for that u can win You will learn the pawn structures that lead to them certain end games If ur interested I have some good links to end game play And they are completely free no adds or nagging screens to buy something
@@paul8093 I understand, but you are missing my point. The point is the computer for the electronic chess game I have is way too high and perfect. It does not have a level low enough to begin with. This Centaur is deigned to have levels not so perfect so you can actually win a few games. It is still challenging though but more realistic. It is no fun to lose every single time over and over again. This is not realistic in life either unless you are playing real pros. I mean, if you play your friends in chess, you aren't going to lose every single time. Your friends will occasionally slip up sometimes. But if it is too perfect, its just disheartening. I think this Centaur is deigned to have settings that are closer to real life.
I have one, too, and I really like it. The Friendly mode and Challenging mode work really well. I love how you can play dozens of games on a full charge, and how light and portable it is. I do wish it had more levels, especially some constant strength modes, like maybe ELO levels like some PC chess games and bots have.
Hi Tracy I just ordered mine. Yes I would like it to use the USB for a back up to a iOS android app so if buttons fail DGT have you covered or if led goes out. Still covered.