This Bluetooth Chessboard Rekindled My Love of Chess

Chess is a game I like to play. It was a game my dad taught me when I was younger, and I vividly remember the first time I beat him. There is a chance he will let me win.

I don't play a lot of games. I have no idea what the various opening moves are. I enjoyed watching The Queen's Gambit, but I have never felt the need to chase chess domination. I would love to play more. I can count the number of times I have used my chessboard on my fingers over the past two years. It's difficult to find opponents.

Even with a thriving chess scene at Washington Square Park here in New York City, I'm too shy to play with complete strangers. I have played chess online but it isn't the same. Picking up and moving the pieces is one of the things I love about the board game. I fell in love with the square off pro. Because it connects to the internet, you can play against people all over the world.

If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more.

The Knight is going to H3.

There is a square off.

The Square Off Pro isn't the first internet- connected chessboard I've tried. Square off's Grand Kingdom Set is a massive board with pieces that can slide across the surface by themselves. The chessboard is made of magnets and is similar to the one in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The Square Off app allows you to play with people online and watch their moves on the board.

You can't take it anywhere because it's so big, and you need a dedicated space for it in your home. Those flaws are not present in the Square Off Pro. The large pieces of the chessboard are in two mesh pouch and it is a rollable board. When you are done using it, it is easy to carry around.

It is a shame because it is really magic when a pawn moves out of the way for a bishop. You just move your opponent's piece for them when you use the LEDs on the Silicone mat. You can use the board to connect to your phone. Square Off has a network that you can use to connect to your Chess.com and Lichess.org accounts. Since I had an account with Chess.com, I mostly stayed there. Square Off has an artificial intelligence that you can play against.