The core ChessZCam job
Stop matching chess moves to video one by one.
Record the physical game and build a digital move record around the same timeline. ChessZCam aims to reduce the hours spent pausing footage, entering moves and trying to place every board update at the right moment.
Before and after
The problem is not recording. It is reconstruction and synchronization.
A camera can preserve the game visually. It does not automatically give the editor a trusted move list or tell the overlay when each move happened.
Manual workflow
Video and PGN live separately
- 1Play and pause the recording
- 2Identify the move on the board
- 3Enter it on a digital board
- 4Find the correct video moment
- 5Repeat until the game ends
ChessZCam direction
Capture move events around the game timeline
- 1Frame and calibrate the board
- 2Record or process the game
- 3Build a move-by-move digital draft
- 4Review uncertain moments
- 5Export and finish the production
The useful difference
Not merely “video to PGN.” A production timeline around the moves.
The strongest value appears when the move record can support more than one output.
Keep a digital sequence connected to when the physical moves were observed. Small timing offsets may still require adjustment.
When detection becomes uncertain, the operator can review and correct the position rather than abandoning the entire game.
Use the verified PGN for analysis, digital replay, an OBS/vMix overlay or later video production.
Actual beta footage
Watch the physical and digital boards move together
This tournament test shows the physical board and digital position running side by side. Timing and recovery tools are still being refined.
What the test demonstrates
- A normal OTB board viewed by an Android phone
- Move data feeding a Windows production workflow
- A digital board presented beside the venue camera
- Operator oversight in real hall conditions
Questions before trying it
What to know about timing and output.
Will the PGN always match the exact video frame automatically?
The workflow is designed to place moves near the moment they happen. Timing can drift, so uncertain moments may need adjustment.
Can it process an existing recording?
ChessZCam includes a workflow intended for recorded games as well as live use. Actual results still depend on camera angle, visibility and recording quality.
Do I still need to review the moves?
Yes. ChessZCam is designed to reduce repetitive reconstruction, not remove responsibility for checking the final PGN before publishing or analysis.
Does it need an electronic board?
The phone-camera workflow is designed around a normal chessboard. Electronic boards remain a separate professional option for users who need their specific reliability and scale.
Less time rebuilding. More time creating.
Try the workflow when the beta is ready for your setup.
Check the device requirements and current limitations before joining early access.