Like many people, I have a list of potential hobbies and skills I’d love to pick up — and a strong track record of not actually pursuing them. Chess is high on that list. I’ve made a few attempts to learn how to play, but the complexity of the rules and strategy can be daunting, and I quickly forget everything I’ve learned.
That’s why, as a huge Harry Potter fan, I was excited to find the GoChess Wizard Lite board from Particula, which brings the iconic living chess scene from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone to life — to some degree and for a significant price. The chess pieces don’t smash each other to pieces, but they do resemble those in the film, with ornate detailing and a weighty, sculptural feel. I feel bad stowing them away in their carrying pouches; they’re so eye-catching that they should always be on display.
But the coolest part of the GoChess Wizard Lite is the tech-enhanced board itself. Once you power it on and pair it with the GoChess app (for iPhone or Android), the squares glow to suggest which piece or pieces to play. And yes, it comes with a USB-C charging cable.
The board will then highlight the best possible — and worst possible — moves. A blue LED light indicates a generally safe move, a purple light means it’s a strong move and a red light is a warning to avoid going to that square, lest you be decimated. That’s a huge help for newbies like me who are still learning the ropes and trying to remember where each piece can go.
If you’re a more seasoned player, you can choose a higher difficulty level and turn off any or all of those hints. You can also set time limits for the game or keep it on “infinite” for more casual play.
You can either face an in-person opponent, join an online challenge or play against the board itself. As a beginner, I always choose the last option so I can avoid embarrassing myself as I build my skills.
I love the amount of detail in each chess piece.
Board games are typically a great way to get away from our screens and engage in the real world. Adding a tech component to chess might feel like it’s compromising the analog purity of the game, but this digitized board has actually been a great teacher for me. It augments rather than replaces the tactility of one of the world’s oldest games. I don’t have to look up where each piece can go or constantly ask my opponent for a refresher; I can just look at the board and see the lit-up possibilities. The detailed wizard chess pieces add a uniquely magical touch and make me even more excited to play.
There is one potential downside to a chessboard this helpful: It can make you a bit lazy. At times, I catch myself relying on its coaching instead of putting in the effort to memorize the patterns and tactics. Ultimately, though, it’s up to me to treat the tech capability as a guide and not overrely on it.
If you’re interested in getting your hands on the GoChess Wizard Lite, I hope you have a loaded vault at Gringotts Wizarding Bank. It sells for $429.95, though occasional sales drop the price by around $50. The board can also sell out, but it tends to be quickly restocked. You, too, can go from cheering on Harry and Ron from the sidelines to conquering chess yourself, making the right moves with a little tech magic.
