E-Pawns (talking chess) is a version of this game which, thanks to the special tactile features of the chess board and the pieces, and the sound making, allows the game to be played by blind and partially sighted people. They are a combination of traditional Braille chess with a computer and modern technology. E-Pawns can be used without a power supply and without a built-in computer, like a normal game set. On the other hand, when they are powered up and the computer is activated, they become a combination of traditional chess, braille chess and computer chess, which, through the use of a physical chess board and runners (figures and pawns) as well as computer algorithms and voice communication, offer many advanced features.

A chess game is played on a typical 400 x 400 mm chessboard with fields measuring 50 x 50 mm. A computer is mounted under the chessboard. The fields of the chessboard are surrounded by an additional space 60 mm wide, on the upper surface of which are arranged the controls that function when the chess board is connected to the power supply and used as an electronic device. On the side of each player are buttons for confirming moves. On the other hand, the navigation buttons - up, down, left, right and the OK button - are located between the side edge of the chess board and the H4 and H5 boxes. These buttons are used to navigate through the menu and to change settings. On the same edge of the chess board, on each player's side, the chess clock displays have been placed.

E-Pawns has a built-in speaker. Through it, players can listen to voice messages generated by the computer. Currently, there is a soundtrack available in Polish and English. It is possible to add sound effects in other languages if required.

The chessboard fields and chess pieces have features that allow them to be distinguished by sight, touch and electronically.

Two game modes are available. In the first, the chess player moves the pieces and the chess computer immediately records the move, confirming it with a spoken message. In the second mode, the player moves the pieces and presses the move confirmation button on his side of the chessboard. Only after pressing this button does the chess computer recognise the move, check its correctness and confirm it. The desired mode is selected in the settings.

Once the computer has made its move, it instructs the chess player by uttering a message as to how the pieces should be rearranged in order for the computer's move to be considered on the chessboard.

The computer records the progress of the game. The situation on the chessboard can be saved at any time and then replayed to continue playing the game. The computer then instructs the players on how the pieces should be positioned and checks that the pieces are correctly positioned.

E-Pawns has been equipped with a USB port into which a memory stick with a software update can be inserted.

Advantages

• Possibility for sighted and blind people to play together,
• The black boxes are raised in relation to the white boxes by 4 millimetres, making the colour of the boxes identifiable by the blind,
• The sets of runners designed for each player are distinguished by special tactile markings added to the black runners,
• Individual types of tiles are distinguished from each other by a shape easily recognisable by touch - Staunton type 6,
• The pieces are equipped with magnets preventing them from toppling over on the chessboard when touched by a blind chess player,
• Full audio in Polish or English,
• RFID sensors installed on each board to detect the type and colour of the board,
• Computer recording of moves, game time, etc,
• Voice information about the movement made, state of the game and player's mistakes,
• Possibility for two players to play directly under computer supervision,
• Possibility for one player to play against the computer,
• Possibility to save the game state and resume the game from the saved state.

 

Technical specifications

• Black fields raised by 4 mm relative to white fields,
• Magnetic stabilisation of the treads on the fields,
• RFID-based system for recognition of the race and its position,
• Computer interface for the transmission of data about the pick-up, the placing of the board, the current position of the pieces,
• Audio amplifier and 1W loudspeaker,
• Staunton 6 plastic black ticks with special tactile markings,
• Weight of all pieces approx. 980 g,
• Height of white king 75 mm,
• Height of the black king 80 mm,
• Chessboard dimensions 400 x 400 mm,
• Dimensions of a single field 50 x 50 mm,
• Dimensions of the unit, chessboard with surrounding space for controls 520 x 520 mm,
• Weight of chess board 6,1 kg.

 

User’s Manual