Chess for Android support for Chessnut Air

[abik]

The next release of Chess for Android will support the latest addition to the electronic chessboard family: the Chessnut Air.

[mephisto]

Thanks Aart

[abik]

I also posted a brief instructional video on connecting Chess for Android application with the Chessnut Air electronic chessboard:

[mvanthoor]

The next release of Chess for Android will support the latest addition to the electronic chessboard family: the Chessnut Air.

I wonder: where do you get all the specs of the protocols for those boards? Do you just contact the manufacturer and ask for them?

[abik]

I wonder: where do you get all the specs of the protocols for those boards? Do you just contact the manufacturer and ask for them?

Exactly. I implemented a general electronic chessboard interfacing class inside Chess for Android a long time ago. Each time a new eboard comes out, and the vendor is willing to share the protocol with me, adding support for the new eboard is relatively easy, since it just requires "filling out" some code in my own interfacing classes. Lots of fun!

[mvanthoor]

Exactly. I implemented a general electronic chessboard interfacing class inside Chess for Android a long time ago. Each time a new eboard comes out, and the vendor is willing to share the protocol with me, adding support for the new eboard is relatively easy, since it just requires "filling out" some code in my own interfacing classes. Lots of fun!

You did the same thing as I intend to do with a future replacement of Picochess. The construction will be similar, but I'll probably only implement the DGT protocol myself; and _maybe_ the Certabo protocol if I can get it and decide to buy one of their 40x40 boards.

My interest in the other e-boards is limited, though this Air looks good for its price, as it's 40x40. Having a smaller eboard than my DGT tournament board would be nice.

[abik]

I posted a similar brief instructional video about the latest Chessnut Pro:

[abik]

The Chessnut EVO arrived today as well, so I am eagerly awaiting more information on its specific API so I can start hacking!