A smart chessboard inspired by the wizarding world of Harry Potter (5 photos + 1 video)
Harry Potter chess is almost a reality now. A smart chessboard inspired by the wizarding chess set from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is now available. 
American company Particula has released GoChess Wizard, an electronic chessboard that combines the visual style of the iconic film with the functionality of modern sports equipment. The pieces are designed precisely like the wizarding chess set from the first Harry Potter film, but instead of magic, it uses technology.
The main difference from a regular set is that the board automatically recognizes which piece you've moved and where. When you make a move, the system analyzes the position, calculates a response, and displays it, showing you where to move your opponent's piece. This feature makes it feel as if you're playing against a live opponent.
The device is suitable for both beginners and experienced chess players. Beginners have a built-in training mode—the board suggests all possible moves, highlighting them. This eliminates half the complexity: you don't waste time learning the rules of piece movement, but rather jump straight to understanding strategy.
For those who already know the rules, there's an AI opponent with 32 difficulty levels. At lower levels, the computer plays like an amateur; at higher levels, it plays like a serious club player. This means that one board can be useful for ten years while you develop.
An important point is that GoChess Wizard syncs with Chess.com and Lichess. These are the two largest online chess platforms. You can start a game against a real player on one of these services, and then the board will automatically reflect their moves. Essentially, this turns the physical board into an interface to the global chess community.
Furthermore, the system operates completely offline. If you simply want to play against the AI without an internet connection, you can play anywhere.
The price is $400. The price reflects the content—electronics, a sensor recognition system, and a built-in engine. The board takes up a standard space on the table, and the pieces are made of high-quality material. The device requires power and an internet connection to sync with other platforms, but local play works without an internet connection.
