ChessBot---Zero

🤖♟️ ChessBot---Zero — An Autonomous AI Chess Robot

What if you could play chess against a world-class AI on a real physical chessboard?

Welcome to ChessBot---Zero, an ambitious robotics project that combines 3D printing, mechanical engineering, custom electronics, embedded programming, and artificial intelligence into a fully autonomous chess-playing robot.

Every move is calculated by Stockfish, one of the strongest chess engines ever created, capable of reaching 3000+ Elo at maximum strength—far beyond human world champion level. The robot doesn't simply move pieces; it analyzes the position of the opponent and independently chooses the best move possible.

🎥 Watch the Robot in Action

Want to see ChessBot---Zero in action?

Check out the demonstration video below to see the prototype moving real chess pieces and playing autonomously.

🎬 Demo Videos: 

Youtube:

[🎥 Find me on YouTube](Find me on YouTube)

[🎥 Demo Video on YouTube](ChessBot---Zero - Demo)

[🎥 Demo Video on YouTube](ChessBot---Zero - Motor-Driver)

[🎥 Demo Video on YouTube](ChessBot---Zero - Testing Electronics)

[🎥 Demo Video on YouTube](ChessBot---Zero - Testing Code)

[🎥 Demo Video on YouTube](ChessBot---Zero - Testing Electromagnet)

Instagram:

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🚀 Designed from Scratch

Unlike many robotics projects that rely on off-the-shelf solutions, ChessBot---Zero has been engineered almost entirely from scratch.

🧩 Mechanical Design

• Every 3D printed component was designed in Fusion 360.
• A design intended to ensure the most precise and cost-effective assembly possible.
• Optimized for precision, rigidity, and reliability.
• Every chess piece contains a hidden screw, allowing the end effector's electromagnet to pick it up securely.

🔌 Custom Electronics

• Every PCB was designed in Fusion 360 Electronics.
• Purpose-built electronics optimized specifically for this robot.

⚙️ Embedded Hardware

• RP2040-Zero controls all motors and sensors with high-speed real-time firmware.
• Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W runs the AI, game logic, and high-level software.

🎯 High-Precision Closed-Loop Motion Control

• Advanced closed-loop feedback system for highly accurate positioning.
• Achieves positioning precision of up to 0.2° on each robot joint.
• Continuously monitors joint position to improve movement accuracy and repeatability.
• Designed to ensure reliable and precise chess piece manipulation.

💻 Software

• Low-level firmware written entirely from scratch in C++.
• High-level software developed in Python.
• Intelligent architecture separating real-time motion control from AI processing.

♟️ Powered by Artificial Intelligence

The robot uses the legendary Stockfish chess engine.

🧠 Calculates the strongest move available.

♟️ Plays at approximately 3000+ Elo.

🏆 Strong enough to outperform even the world's greatest chess champions.

⚙️ Every move is generated autonomously, giving the robot the ability to think and play at an extraordinary level.

🔬 Current Prototype ChessBot---Zero

The model presented here is an early functional prototype built to validate the complete robotic system.

Current specifications:

• ♟️ 25 × 25 mm chessboard
• 💻 Computer-connected operation
• ⚙️ Functional custom electronics
• 🤖 Advanced autonomous firmware
• 🖨️ Fully 3D printed mechanical structure

Although visually simple, this prototype already demonstrates the complete architecture that will power the final robot.

⚠️ Important Note Regarding the BOM

Please Note: Since this model is an early functional prototype, the Bill of Materials (BOM) focuses primarily on the core components. As the project evolved, various small mechanical and electronic parts (such as resistors, diodes, specific screws, cables, connectors, and switches) were added dynamically and may not be explicitly listed.

🚧 Next Generation → ONYX Pro (Currently in Development)

The final version will introduce major improvements, including:

✨ Larger 40 × 40 mm tournament-style chessboard

✨ High-strength hybrid structure combining aluminum and carbon fiber reinforced PETG (PETG-CF) for exceptional rigidity and durability

✨ Completely redesigned mechanical system

✨ Cleaner mechanical lines with premium engineering details

✨ Hidden cable management and cleaner optic

✨ A design that not only performs like a high-end robot—but looks like one

✨ Optimized custom electronic PCBs

✨ Integrated touchscreen display

✨ Ability to select different difficulty levels for the chess algorithm. Get ready for a true challenge!

✨ Modern graphical user interface (GUI) written in Python

✨ Sensors installed beneath the chessboard for automatic piece detection

✨ Completely standalone operation—no computer required

The ultimate goal is to create a premium robotic chess system that is both powerful and elegant.

🛠️ Technologies

• 🧩 Fusion 360
• 🔌 Fusion 360 Electronics
• 🖨️ 3D Printing
• ⚡ RP2040-Zero
• 🍓 Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W
• 💻 C++
• 🐍 Python
• ♟️ Stockfish Chess Engine

🚀 Follow the Journey

This is only the beginning.

ChessBot---Zero is a long-term engineering project that continues to evolve with every new design iteration. The next release will be the first true "Pro" version, featuring major improvements in design, performance, precision, and autonomy.

The best is yet to come—this project is only getting started. Stay tuned! 🤖♟️

Thank you for your support! 🚀♟️