Lock the framing
A stable tripod and a full view of all 64 squares are essential. Small camera shifts must trigger a controlled realignment process.
Project journey · July 2026
Built at real tournaments, improved after every test.
ChessZCam moved from an early phone-camera experiment to a working live broadcast workflow through two tournament tests, closed development and a focused safety rebuild.
Development timeline
From first field test to controlled early access.
Each milestone produced a specific technical lesson and a clearer operating procedure for the next test.
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5 Jul2026
First field test
KawanCatur 1st Edition Tournament
The first tournament test exposed the difference between a clean development setup and a working tournament hall. Camera position, operator workflow and recovery steps were reviewed before the architecture was reorganized.
- Identified practical weaknesses in the first workflow.
- Separated essential operator actions from experimental controls.
- Converted observations into a structured testing checklist.
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7–17 Jul2026
Development and closed testing
Rebuilding the workflow between tournaments
The phone detection process, local-network communication and Windows broadcast workflow were refined through closed trials. The aim was a simpler chain that an operator could understand under tournament pressure.
- Reworked detection and data flow.
- Improved the phone-to-PC LAN workflow.
- Prepared the live overlay and Stockfish analysis pipeline.
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18 Jul2026
Second field test and live broadcast
Saiful Arena Chess Tournament @ Taiping Mall 2026
The second test connected real-time move detection to a digital board overlay, PGN/FEN updates, Stockfish analysis and move-classification markers during a YouTube live production.
The workflow was broadly successful, but a player accidentally touched the tripod. The small framing change created ghost-piece detections and caused the digital position sent to the broadcast controller to drift from the physical board.
- Confirmed that live camera footage and a digital chess overlay could run together.
- Identified tripod movement as a critical recovery scenario.
- Confirmed that stronger contrast between board squares and pieces improves detection stability.
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19 Jul2026
Safety rebuild
Recovery tools and stronger position validation
The system was rebuilt around safer operator controls so a framing change or uncertain detection would not need to become a broadcast failure.
- Expanded hold, correction, sync and position-rebuild controls.
- Improved handling of ghost pieces and inconsistent FEN/PGN states.
- Added clearer setup checks before the first move.
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20 Jul2026
World Chess Day
zonChess.com opened to the community
The website launched on World Chess Day to share the working idea, document the beta as it develops and find creators, organizers, coaches and families who face the same practical problems.
- Opened the beta waitlist.
- Published compatibility and limitation guidance.
- Started collecting structured community feedback.
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NextTests 3–4
Controlled validation
Two more tournament tests before small-scale release
The next phase focuses on repeated venue testing, recovery from tripod movement, board-and-piece contrast, operator speed and PGN accuracy. Early access will begin with a small waitlist group and trusted community testers.
- Validate safety tools under real tournament pressure.
- Publish supported setup recommendations from test evidence.
- Release gradually instead of opening a broad public sale immediately.
What the tests changed
Five practical lessons now shape the product.
These findings guide compatibility advice, operator controls and the next tournament validation rounds.
Prioritize contrast
Pieces should remain visually distinct from both light and dark squares. Matte, high-contrast tournament equipment is easier for cameras and people to read.
Keep an operator in control
Hold, undo, sync and position rebuild tools are part of a reliable beta workflow, especially when a hand blocks the board or a piece is adjusted.
Validate FEN and PGN
The digital position should be checked before it reaches the live overlay or becomes a published game record.
Test the complete chain
Phone, lighting, board, network, controller and broadcast software must be rehearsed together—not tested as isolated parts.
Release gradually
Controlled early access makes it possible to support users properly while learning from a manageable range of devices and venues.
Equipment note
ChessZCam testing has benefited from matte equipment with clear contrast. Current FIDE equipment standards similarly emphasize sufficient contrast between light and dark squares, distinguishable piece colours and non-reflective finishes. Read the FIDE equipment standard.
What’s next
Two more tournament tests before small-scale early access.
Join the waitlist to receive compatibility notes, testing invitations and launch updates as we validate the workflow in real venues.