Like most people, I have a list of potential hobbies and skills I’d like to take up — and a solid track record of not pursuing them. Chess is at the top of that list. I’ve made a few attempts to learn how to play it, but the complexity of the rules and techniques can be overwhelming, and I quickly forget everything I’ve learned.
So, for the most part Harry Potter fanI’m excited to discover the GoChess Wizard Lite board from Particula, which brings a lively chess image from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone in life — to some degree and in a significant amount. The chess pieces do not shatter into pieces, but are like those in the film, with ornate details and a heavy, sculpted feel. I feel bad about throwing them in their bags; they are so eye-catching that they should always be on display.
But the coolest part of GoChess Wizard Lite is the technologically advanced board itself. Once you turn it on and pair it with the GoChess app (for iPhone or Android), the squares light up to indicate which piece or pieces can be played. And yes, it comes with a USB-C charging cable.
The board will then highlight the best possible — and worst — moves. A blue LED light indicates safe movement in general, a purple light means a strong movement and a red light is a warning to avoid going to that square, lest you slow down. That’s a big help for newbies like me who are still learning the ropes and trying to remember where each piece can go.
If you are a seasoned player, you can choose a higher difficulty level and turn off any or all of those tips. You can also set game time limits or keep it at “infinite” for regular gameplay.
You can face an opponent in person, join an online challenge or play against the board itself. As a beginner, I always choose the last option to avoid embarrassing myself as I build my skills.
I love the amount of detail in each chess piece.
A board game they are usually a good way to do it away from our screens and interact in the real world. Adding a technological element to chess may sound like it’s compromising the analog purity of the game, but this digital board has actually been a good teacher for me. It adds a replacement touch point to one of the oldest games in the world. I don’t have to look up where each piece might go or constantly ask my opponent to renew; I can look at the board and see opportunities for lighting. The detailed wizard chess pieces add a unique magical touch and make it even more fun to play.
There is one potential downside to this that is useful: It can make you a little lazy. Sometimes, I find myself relying on its training instead of putting effort into memorizing patterns and tricks. Ultimately, however, it is up to me to treat technical ability as a guide and not overuse it.
If you’re interested in getting your hands on GoChess Wizard Lite, I hope you have a vault loaded at Gringotts Wizarding Bank. It retails for $429.95, although occasional sales drop the price by about $50. The board can be resold, but is usually restocked quickly. You too, can go from cheering Harry and Ron on from the sidelines to winning chess yourself, making the right move with a little tech magic.
