Tibono wrote: ↑Tue Oct 20, 2026 6:30 pmHi Chris,
I received my ESP32-S3 7" with touch option early afternoon today, since 4:30PM all is working fine!
First step, I set a 3D printed backplate up using the M3 mount points, not only protecting the PCB but also enabling the device to stand up (image).
Second step, I struggled with the connection to my PC, as I initially spared few euros re-using an USB-C cable that later proved to be power connection only. My bad. Then I struggled starting up my motorbike I didn't use for months, after sweating a lot (maybe 150 or so kick blows to get it alive) I could go and purchase a correct data cable - but that's another story
Once USB connection fine (the Windows usual two tones rang), install occured readily. Final reset on the device and lo & behold, CST appears instead of the factory demo page!
About UCI on USB feature: I did it rather easily (side note: I am a retired IT guy, that helps). I didn't rely on your webpage, I think not much is currently detailed about; while awaiting the shipping delivery I had downloaded the project source from GitHub to have a look into it; found out the several .md help files and also browsed the uci_bridge Python script, and the cstretro-usb batch file in tools directory. There are useful comments top of these files, that is kind of you, hence I pretty well knew what to do. Providing the COM number as an argument to the Python script revealed mandatory, and I had to search a bit to find this number (Win tip: run command start devmgmt.msc displays the device manager, then expand Ports (COM & LPT).
Here are pictures of the device front view while running UCI on USB, and a screencopy of the GUI. Little guy is currently in analysis mode...
A huge thank you Chris for sharing your nice project!
Warm regards,
Eric
That's really nice, thank you! Pleased you got it going without too much hassle. That little esp32 chip really is like the old days, fighting not enough memory, hardly space for any tables. I guess the engine could be made a little stronger (more or less the last thing I did with it was to get it going like you in UCI-USB, and ran gauntlets against weak opponents engines from the CCRL list), but maybe there's no real point in more strength because its already well good enough for humans to just have fun with OTB. My esp32 project right now is 3D board and move recognition using a camera on a 3D chess board for when I shortly get back to the chess cafe in Thailand and then we'll see where to take it next. I thought combine the two and make a real time kibitzer (not sure how that will be received) and maybe end up with a CSTal-esp32, hooked up to the 3D recogniser on another esp32, driving a homemade(?) robot, probably on another esp32, except I know zilch about robots, and not very much about comms between several microcontrollers.