10 Best Chess Computer 2025 in the United States

The ChessUp 2 by Bryght Labs is a smart electronic chess board designed for players ranging from beginners to experts. One of its standout features is the built-in AI coaching that adjusts to your skill level, providing helpful move suggestions and warnings about mistakes through light-up squares on the board. This makes it especially useful for kids and those learning the game, while still challenging experienced players who can turn off hints.

Connectivity is a strong point with built-in WiFi, allowing you to play live ranked games on popular chess platforms like Chess.com and Lichess directly from the board—no phone or computer needed. This convenience adds a lot of value if you enjoy online competition but want a more tactile chess experience. The included companion app complements the hardware by tracking your progress, reviewing past games, and offering expert-led lessons that sync with the board’s lights. This feature enhances learning and practice, helping players improve strategically over time.

The physical design is sleek and portable enough to carry around, weighing under 5 pounds, though the thin board might require careful handling to avoid damage. The TouchSense pieces are responsive and allow easy interaction, but some users might find the size and sensitivity take a bit of getting used to. The AI offers a good range of difficulty, making it adaptable for family use or serious training. It may not replace high-level dedicated chess engines for advanced players seeking the toughest competition. For those wanting a modern, interactive chess experience that combines smart coaching, seamless online play, and hands-on learning, ChessUp 2 is a fitting choice, especially suited for families, learners, and players seeking an engaging way to improve without relying on screens. Those looking for a heavy-duty tournament-level chess computer might find it less suitable.

The Lexibook Chessman® FX is a user-friendly electronic chess game designed to appeal to families and beginners while providing enough challenge for more experienced players. One of its standout features is the tactile keyboard combined with light and sound effects, making moves easy to follow thanks to illuminated squares under both the starting and ending positions of pieces. This visual feedback is very helpful for learning and tracking gameplay. With 64 levels of difficulty, including 5 specifically designed for beginners, it offers a broad range of challenges. The inclusion of an Elo rating system up to 1800 means the game can simulate opponents of intermediate skill, though it may not satisfy highly advanced players seeking very strong competition. The touch-sensitive board is a convenient feature, as it remembers the position of pieces even when powered off, adding to its user-friendly nature.

However, the device lacks modern connectivity options like Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, limiting its ability to update software or connect with other devices. Its size and weight (around 3 pounds and 31 inches square) make it somewhat portable but not compact for on-the-go play. The built-in storage drawers for pieces help keep everything organized. The Chessman® FX represents a solid choice for families and casual players wanting a well-designed electronic chessboard with clear visual cues and flexible difficulty, although serious chess enthusiasts looking for advanced software or extensive connectivity might find it limited.

The GoChess Mini is a smart electronic chess board designed for players of all skill levels, from beginners to experts. Its standout feature is the AI personal coach, which uses colorful lights to give real-time feedback and help improve your moves. This makes it a great learning tool if you want to get better at chess. The device has 32 difficulty levels in its AI, so you can find a challenge that fits your skill and gradually improve.

Connectivity is a strong point here, as it supports online play through popular platforms like Lichess and Chess.com. This lets you play against friends or find opponents from around the world, making the experience more social and varied. The board’s interface is straightforward, with light-up squares helping guide moves, so it’s easy to understand even if you’re new to electronic chess sets.

In terms of portability, the GoChess Mini is relatively lightweight and compact, making it easy to carry around and set up wherever you want to play—be it at home, the office, or on the go. Its sleek and modern design also means it looks good in any setting. It weighs about 6.25 pounds, which might be a bit heavy compared to some ultra-portable options, and its thin profile (about 0.04 inches thick) suggests it prioritizes style and light indications over physical tactile feedback. Although the AI is advanced, very serious or professional players might find it less customizable compared to high-end dedicated chess computers. If you’re looking for a fun, educational chess computer that can connect online and help you improve your game with smart coaching lights, GoChess Mini is a fitting choice. It’s especially suited for casual players and families who want an engaging way to learn and play chess together.