About the french bulldog we say « it is a big volume in a small space »... I am tempted to use the same expression to describe the dgt pi chess. Wonderful tool !

At the moment I'm in the process of obtaining a windows based computer to run the DGT e-board although I can play chess matches against the computer I would like to have a full set up so that I may challenge live human opponents on the internet and have a whole experience to round out my setup. The clock works beautifully, I've yet to play a game one on one but I'm pretty sure with most of what I've read of this clock a world of new and exciting learning will take place in chess knowledge for me thus improving my game. Again thank you Chesshouse for the benefit of providing good sound equipment to enjoy for years to come.

I think it's quite amazing. Allowed me to play stockfish without being "attached" to my PC. That's the whole point of the DGT board! (you could play the software using fritz/chessbase but then you're still 'connected ' to your PC).

I purchased a DGT Smart Board and DGT PI together in August of this year. You can access the many features of the computer through the button driven menu system on the front of the DGT PI such as setting the clock and the engine you wish to play against and its strength. No special technical knowledge is needed to use these options, and as I said, there are many options.

DGT PI is built from a DGT 3000 clock, and two "open" components: a Raspberry PI computer and a software package called picochess. As a result, it is highly customizable for the technically inclined. For example to connect the DGT PI to your wireless network and email the games.pgn file to you after each game, or do an automatic update of the software on boot up, you will need to modify a file in the DGT PI named picochess.ini. However, this technical tinkering is not needed to enjoy using the DGT PI.

In my case I have a background in Computer Science and was able to set up these additional customizations. I had to do some research on the Web to figure it all out, and if you have the background you can get it to work as well. But to be clear, you don't need a technical background to enjoy the vast majority of the DGT PIs features.

I currently am using the menus to set the Engine to Rodent III and am experimenting with it's many personalities (i.e. playing strengths and styles). I'm loosing a lot of these games so I'm going to adjust the clock to give me more time. There are YouTube videos on the web that demonstrate how to use the DGT Smart Board and PI to analyze a game or for training purposes. I'm also experimenting with those uses and having great fun. For me the selling point is to have all these options for playing chess "over the board" vs a computer screen. The physical act of moving the pieces I find helpful in learning and improving my chess.

In short I am very happy with this product and very pleased with the service I received from ChessHouse. Highly recommended.

I own this chess computer.
It is a really good chess computer/clock. To customize it further than the stock settings, you do need to know
Linux/command line prompt, and you can easily update versions and get it to continue to announce moves even under one minute time controls.
For those who want a simple, non-technical computer, the Centaur Chess computer offers powerful play with ease of operation.
I would have that one if I didn't have the DGT Electronic board and DGT PI. who knows, I may still get a Centaur Chess computer.
But the DGT PI has outperformed my expectations, in play and features. I did have to put my tech hat on to get at all the "extras' under the hood.Which meant modifying files and things like that. I don't recommend for the un-initiated.
You can power it with the AC adapter it comes with, or with a power bank. Attach a speak to hear it call out the moves.
It can be adjusted to update, announce down to the second, retrieve saved games, email you your games, do Ethernet connections,
it can do wifi with a wifi dongle, you can set customized time controls, and other things. Granted you do need to know some programming to get at some of this extra stuff. I even install endgame tables on it.

Even so, I do recommend this machine, especially if you like to tinker.
For most people, the stock settings will suffice.

I really I can play with a tournament size board and pieces, when paired with a DGT electronic board!! THAT was one of the biggest selling points for me.