Best Smart Chess Boards (2026): Chessnut, Millennium
Key takeaways
- I’ve been testing smart chess boards for the past month or so, with the help of my chess-mad eldest, and these are my top picks.
- Photograph: Simon HillPhotograph: Simon HillPhotograph: Simon HillPhotograph: Simon HillChevronChevronSave to wishlistSave to wishlistChessnut
- For my opening gambit, I’m recommending the Chessnut Pro.
Why this matters: a development in AI with implications for how people work, create, and decide.
Photograph: Simon Hill Comment Loader Save Story Save this story Comment Loader Save Story Save this story Playing chess can be challenging, fun, and at times frustrating. Garry Kasparov called the game “mental torture.” With virtually limitless possibilities, chess offers unparalleled depth, and you could easily fill a library with books on how to play it. The internet has opened up a wealth of potential competitors, and smart chess boards enable you to play anyone online or off, not to mention dabble in a variety of chess programs.
I’ve been testing smart chess boards for the past month or so, with the help of my chess-mad eldest, and these are my top picks.
Photograph: Simon HillPhotograph: Simon HillPhotograph: Simon HillPhotograph: Simon HillChevronChevronSave to wishlistSave to wishlistChessnut