$8 Roll-Up USB Chess Board

erco

Kind of nifty: http://cgi.ebay.com/Portable-USB-Roll-Up-Chess-Set/200533768552?_trksid=p1468660.m2000037

Flexible chess board has USB connection to computer. Play against computer or someone else. Tap chess pieces on mat to track game moves onscreen.

I'm sure there are some chess fans here that may like this item as-is, but I see more potential as a cheap input device or 8x8 flexible keypad.

I got one just for a silly Christmas gift exchange.

AND YES, I SAID CHRISTMAS!

God bless America.

AND YES, I SAID GOD BLESS AMERICA and every veteran around, today and everyday!

User Name

I wonder what chess engine it uses?

It's a bit OT, but a few years ago I gathered together every chess program I had and faced them off against one another. Chessmaster beat everything else. But there were some modern shareware programs that put up a pretty good fight. Bluebush, the love of my youth, got trounced.

For eight bucks I could obtain another victim, and get a nice(?) USB chessboard in the deal.

erco

In movies, I see huge groups of people playing speed chess marathons outdoors in parks; it must be so. Winter is coming, but the cold weather doesn't mean the outdoor chess has to stop. With this USB chessboard and the host of other handy-dandy USB accessories, let the games continue:

USB gloves keep your hands warm: http://cgi.ebay.com/Grey-Fringe-USB-Powered-Winter-Hands-Warmer-Gloves-/220693930464?pt=US_CSA_MWA_Gloves_Mittens&hash=item33626221e0

USB Mug Warmer (with USB hub) keeps your latte hot: http://cgi.ebay.com/USB2-0-4-Port-Hub-USB-Powered-Mug-Drink-Beverage-Warmer-/260612289784?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cadb3f4f8

USB Heated Boots: http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-PC-Laptop-Foot-Warmer-Heat-Boots-White-Purple-M-/380175718636?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item58843d18ec

USB Shoulder Warmer: http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-Shoulder-Warmer-infrared-heater-blanket-GIFT-IDEA-/380263361937?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5889766d91

USB Heated Seat Cushion: http://cgi.ebay.com/New-Cute-USB-warm-Cushion-Cartoon-Warmer-Chair-Cushion-/270636310023?pt=AU_Laptop_Accessories&hash=item3f032e5e07

I don't see a USB-powered electric blanket yet, but surely great minds are working on it.

Oh dear. I wonder how all those USB heating devices will affect your laptop's battery life. Perhaps it will be shortened somewhat? Surely great minds must be working on that as well!

Humanoido

Check out the 15,200,000 usb things here at a glance.

Humanoido

You can find just about anything on the web, packaged in USB.
So live long and prosper.

LoopyByteloose

The 'roll up Chess Board' offers a great hacking opportunity if you adapt it to be a generic input device for 8x8 2-d position in.

I was thinking about the sensors that are put on the floor for a dance game as well. Another great hack. But this is better - not so physically demanding.