ChessUp

ChessUp is a smart, connected chess board built by Bryght Labs that uses LED lights embedded in every square to guide players through their games. Touch a piece and the board lights up, showing legal moves color-coded by strength: green for the best moves, blue for solid options, and red for blunders. It turns any game into a real-time learning experience without needing a screen or app open.

The product made waves on ABC's Shark Tank in Season 14, where co-founders Jeff Wigh and Adam Roush pitched their vision and caught Lori Greiner's attention. The company, based in Overland Park, Kansas, started as a Kickstarter project in 2021 and quickly sold out after the Shark Tank airing. ChessUp 2, the current generation, integrates directly with Chess.com for online play over WiFi, so your physical board moves sync in real time with online opponents.

Beyond online play, ChessUp includes built-in AI opponents at various difficulty levels for solo practice. Its "Balance a Match" feature lets players of different skill levels compete fairly by adjusting the assistance each player receives. The board is STEM.org authenticated, making it a legitimate educational tool for schools and clubs.

At $349.99, ChessUp sits in the premium smart board category alongside competitors like Square Off. What sets it apart is the focus on learning through color-coded move feedback rather than automated piece movement. It is a teaching tool first, game board second.