Pico Chess 9n Non-DGT board version Raspberry Pi img

[Philip Catalano]

Using this site the download speed made me want to cry.  I uploaded the image to google drive so that it'd be a faster download

Pico Chess 9n raspberry pi image - Google Drive

[Amp]

Error !.   

[Philip]

I'm on the road, but here is my latest image:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L5VXQ8YLKJi7HnkQLPFsGjcThFa9MmcU/view?usp=drivesdk

[Amp]

Hola.    Gracias ante todo.

Lo he probado y no me funciona web-server,    no me funciona lcd i2c,      

Adjunto video.

Mi deseo es sólo ayudar, pues estoy muy interesado.

Gracias de nuevo.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fKBbVc95T5yzTUMK7

[BR L]

It looks like you are using a pi 3. 

picochess.ini on this image is configured for pi zero, and if you run picochess manually you will see it crashes with an engine not started error.

to fix it, go to /opt/picochess and edit the picochess.ini engine path from armv61 to armv71.

[miclang]

Is it the image for Brian's board? Michael

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Von: Philip <wel...@gmail.com>

Datum: 19.07.18 06:03 (GMT+01:00)

An: PicoChess <pico...@googlegroups.com>

Betreff: Re: Pico Chess 9n Non-DGT board version Raspberry Pi img

I'm on the road, but here is my latest image:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1L5VXQ8YLKJi7HnkQLPFsGjcThFa9MmcU/view?usp=drivesdk

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[BR L]

No, my code is only up to picochess  version J.

I had a quick look at this and as far as I can tell there is no code to manage a non DGT board.

It does have code for the turnkey wifi solution and that worked ok for me.

I don't know if there should be anything on the LCD, I don't get anything.

[Philip]

I haven't copied over your GitHub to the /opt/PicoChess directory yet.

I'm still assembling my board (a bigger project than I initially thought - makes me think a plastic board is the way to go for the Kickstarter)
... I've got the Reed switches, diodes, and LEDs hot glued in place and now just waiting for time to wire them up. (And also still a little unsure how best to do it)

[BR L]

I used wirewrap wire like this

I cut lengths the width of the chessboard and made a break in the insulation for each connection on the board, the insulation can slide along the conductor after each joint is soldered.

It is quicker than making a length of wire for each connection.

Have you decided how you will scan the reed switches, and control the led's?

[Philip]

I just finished soldering the seven segment clocks to the adafruit backpacks using wire wrapping wire like the kind you linked. I have max7219 controllers, but for my first board I went with adafruit because it seemed easier. The soldering took about two hours because I had to completely redo one of the boards (oops).

I have a folding board so I was thinking I’d use one ht16k33 per side.., but I’m kinda hitting a wall and need to read more since I don’t really know what I’m doing.

I do know that I am not going to be a professional solderer and that I would have much preferred to have bought the board from China already made.

[BR L]

Have you considered these for the clocks. very cheap, you can set the address and just 2 wires (besides power) from the arduino.

I am considering modifying my board to use them.

[Philip]

That's exactly what I'm using - except the one I am using is made by adafruit and instead of soldering directly to the board I have wires connecting the 14 pins to the board because having the board connected wouldn't fit.

I have extras. I initially ordered the Chinese generic, but then decided to use the adafruit when I saw Max (chess for therapy site guy) had problems with the generic ht16k33 he was using.

[Philip]

Diy Electronic chess board https://imgur.com/a/XL2yglI

I've finished the laborious task of soldering the Reed switches and LEDs...

Now I'm at a loss as to what to do next. I have a teensy 2.0++ and and four ht16k33 (two of which are used by the clocks) and of course, a raspberry pi.

I'm looking at various diagrams and schematics for other diy Chess Boards but any help would be greatly appreciated!

[BR L]

You can either get the reed relays working or the LED's

The led's are easy you just need to connect rows and columns to the ht16k33 and drive via i2c from  the raspberry pi or teensy. I drive from the arduino and send led messages via the arduino serial port.

That makes it easier to set up from a pc instead of from the pi.

The reeds are  in a 8*8 matrix would need 16 io pins and neither the arduino or teensy have enough, so you need to multiplex them.

My circuit on my git works, use fritzing to see it. ( if you do use it, it is good practice to put capacitors  10nf across the power rails and close to each chip to cut down noise)

Interested why you chose teensy over arduino, the later is much cheaper, are there advantages in using the teensy?

[Philip]

I think there are advantages using the teensy - but I don't really know what they are... More pins?

Max and the Sish Chessboard guy both suggested it.

[Michael Lang]

Hi,
I'm just doing that for a new Mysticum chess computer (see photo below) - maybe next time I'll connect Picochess? ;-)
Regards, Michael

--

[BR L]

I really like the Mysticum and am considering building one if I can get the  IOWarrio56  module  at a reasonable price in the UK.

I already have arduino nano's so it was easy and cheap to get started on my design..

Although Picochess wasn't created for a reed controlled board, it was relatively easy to modify because it was opensource.

Future versions of picochess are no longer free to download, and also require a DGT board ID to get access .

So I would like to branch off from picochess to make it still opensource but more targeted at non DGT boards.

goals are

remove all DGT communications code to simplify.  ( I don't have a DGT board so can't test)

Rewrite menu system

Add time controls for tournament play

Add setup feature

Add training feature.

Add takeback option

How much of this I do and if I publish it depends if there is any interest.

[Philip]

I'm interested! Please publish your work! 

Your GitHub is one of only two decent resources for diy non-dgt boards that aren't just Arduino based. 

I'm still slogging my way through board number one, and trying to learn about "pull-ups and pulldowns"  because the only way I can think to get everything working is multiple I2c multiplexers and the ht16k33 has 10k pulldowns...?

Bottom line - I think we should talk about a common design. Reed switches and LEDs seem to be the common denominator.  From there an Arduino of some sort which feeds into a raspberry pi.  Once the hardware is 'set' there are myriad of options for the software. 

I know so little about coding - is it really worth removing all the calls to the DGT board? I mean, PicoChess kinda got a huge bump in popularity from DGTs distribution and the more the merrier, right? 

As far as a Kickstarter goes I'd like to do a run of 100 of them and price them at $100 including shipping if possible. To keep costs low I don't mind if a plastic board is used.

What do you think?

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[BR L]

If you look at my circuit diagram, you will see the HT16k33 is just connected to the led's,  (note, I use 81 led's, 1 for each corner of the squares.)

The reed switch scanning is done with a 4017 decade counter, selects each row in turn, which is read into the arduino using a 4021 shift register.

The 4021 needs pull down resistors (10k to 20k) because otherwise when the reeds are open (ie no piece on square) the inputs would be floating, 

The only changes I want to make to my board is to do with the buttons for the menu's. Picochess relied on the DGT clock buttons, but we are not constrained by that if we don't support DGT.

Otherwise I am quite happy with my design, unless someone comes up with something better.

I don't have, nor do I intend to buy a DGT board so the only way I could keep the DGT support in would be to collaborate with someone else who has one. Not possible to program/troubleshoot otherwise.

I'm much better at programming and electronics than I am at marketing, so I have no idea yet about kickstarter.

[Michael Byrne]

There is no need to support DGT boards - the pico chess code we have works fine.

Sent from my iPhone

[BR L]

I had a look at the teensy. 

The teensy 2.0++ has more pins and enough to connect directly to the reed switch matrix. so dispensing with my 4017/4021 switch scanning electronics.

[Michael Lang]

Hi Brian,
yes, the IOWarrior is expensive, that's right! Your solution is cheaper...

I'm really interested in your work! My next project will be assembling your board according to the Github docs.

Regards, Michael

[Amp]

Anyway it would be very good to have a more complete manual with photos or videos.

Many followers of the project would be won

It would be perfect:

Picochess + Raspberry pi 3b + lcd board with magnetic switches   (both teensy , arduino).

It would not be necessary to have neither DGT Clock nor DGT board.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

De todas formas sería muy bueno el poder tener un manual más completo con fotos o videos.

Se ganarían muchos seguidores del proyecto.

Sería perfecto:

Picochess + Raspberry pi 3b + lcd + tablero con interruptores magneticos    (tanto teensy  ,  arduino).

No haría falta tener ni Reloj DGT , ni tablero DGT.

[Kram Ping]

i agree with you to that, im also looking for the complete tutorial for this project but its hopeless, we need to gathered all the information given by the forum and read all the comments.

but thanks to those people giving all the effort replying to the forum.

[Philip]

It's not hopeless. It's really just a lot of soldering. 

The only hold up I have right now is the Arduino code. I can't figure out how to change it so it's not looking for two micros controllers like Brian's original design. I've even gone so far as to post a job request on fivver.com to pay someone to do it. 

I've been thinking about ways to pay Jürgen to develop, but I don't think he sees the value in a Kickstarter campaign and anything I'd pay for I'd make open source. 

Even with a short production run I'm still hoping to get a manufacturer who can put my vision into a product. I want it to be as cheap as possible. Plastic pieces (good looking, and heavy, but plastic), potentially a plastic board (50mm squares or 2 inch squares), and an Arduino and raspberry pi.  From there, the software can always be upgraded/changed, but there's a base upon which to build. Ideally, it'd cost $100 or less, but initially even at $150 it's a bargain. 

On Fri, Aug 17, 2018, 2:13 PM Kram Ping <kramp...@gmail.com> wrote:

i agree with you to that, im also looking for the complete tutorial for this project but its hopeless, we need to gathered all the information given by the forum and read all the comments.

but thanks to those people giving all the effort replying to the forum.

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[Kram Ping]

Im also doin this project the way brian did, simple and cheap. I already build the board but i also want to change the arduino nano into teensy ++, but Im not that good in programming.

Sorry for my english im not really good at it but im trying.

I hope all those whose trying to build this project will post in the forum to motivate some of us and those who cant afford dgt board.

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[BR L]

Not sure what you mean by 2 micro controllers.

There is 1 arduino nano

1 ht16k33 led matrix driver

and 2 very cheap and easily available logic chips to scan the reed relay matrix.

And I have already made my code to drive this available to everyone..

[Philip]

Brian,

Sometimes tone is lost on internet forums. I hope that nothing I've said or written has led you to believe that I have anything but the greatest appreciation and gratitude for the work you have posted on GitHub. Your code is what made me think it might be possible for me to build one. 

I was mistaken in describing the logic chips as micro controllers. While I still think the teensy 2.0++ is a good choice, I have ordered the two logic controllers so that I can finish one of the two boards I've started and hopefully get my wife to stop looking at me sideways. 

[BR L]

I agree than forum posts can be easily misunderstood but I wasn't in any way offended.

But I have seen a couple of people are struggling to build a board from my design, and I just wanted to clarify.

I worked for years in the computer industry, first as an engineer and then as a IT consultant, so this comes very easy to me, so I welcome any feedback that will help me see it from a less experienced persons viewpoint, so I can better explain how to build it.

[BR L]

I know  'the picochess code we have works fine' . but future versions are not free or opensource.

While I agree that the picochess code is excellent, and certainly without it, I would not have been able to create my chessboards. There is always room for improvement.

Jurgen is himself continuing to improve picochess but no longer as a free/opensource project (as is his right to do so)

But is there not room here for others to continue this as an opensource project, adding functionality?, he also built on the work of others to make picochess what it is today.

I would buy a DGT board, but they are too expensive for me, and my solution offers a very cheap alternative for anyone interested who has the skills to build it..

Because I don't have a DGT board, it is not possible for me to make any changes I implement work on a DGT board, but others may be able to do so.

This would help picochess to continue as the free open source project it was originally created as.

But up to version N, picochess is opensource and anyone who wishes can continue development, It is clearly up to you if you would rather stay with Version N, or join the Picochess club, 

[Michael Byrne]

Well that’s just my opinion as I see little upside for the DGT board user  - but if somebody want to to continually upgrade picochess for the DGT board for free , be my guest. I’m very happy with the DGT board and I was fortunate to have acquired one where they were still less than $400 many years ago. One of the best computer chess purchases I ever made.  I was a little bit shocked to see what they sell for now.  I can see why you would want to try to build your own and I wish you the best in endeavor.

Sent from my iPhone

[Mark Kram]

Good day everyone, Im done working on Chess Board (Brians Board) all works fine now. Im on software part now.

1.) Downloaded the v.09n disk image.
2.) boot the Rpi

3.) I can't find the IP ADDRESS
4.) I can't copy sir Brian files remotely via ssh terminal on mac
5.) Please someone help me with this im not an rpi expert. 

[Philip]

i use Fing to get the ip address.

https://www.fing.io/

[BR L]

Thanks,

I've needed this for ages

[Philip]

9n Non-DGT image

I used Brian's latest github and put together an install image with Turn Key Wifi, an update script, and the 60+ engines.  The link is above.  I bought pichess.org as a domain, but I am publishing changes to the site slowly (as I have time).  

I will put together a DGT image shortly

If there are any engines not included, or other enhancements you can think of - please let me know.  

User: pi

Password: raspberry

User: root

Password: raspberry

[BR L]

Good job. This should help anyone having problems getting it working.

I downloaded it and tested it myself and I found I had introduced a bug when experimenting with training mode.

I have fixed it, but if you use this image you will need to replace the sensorboard.py file from my github. (pi version.)

in /opt/picochess

[Philip]

I'll post updated images this weekend

[Kram Ping]

Good day sir Philip just wanna ask what is the password of connecttoconnect?

On Fri, 7 Sep 2018, 11:44 Philip, <wel...@gmail.com> wrote:

I'll post updated images this weekend

[Philip]

It's the exact same as the SSID: ConnectToConnect 

Be aware punctuation matters

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[WILMAR LOPEZ NEIRA]

Hola, espero que te haya funcionado, me podrias colaborar? mi correo es wilo...@gmail.com, wilmar lópez neira. te agradeceria una mano.

El jueves, 19 de julio de 2018, 4:02:51 (UTC-5), Amp escribió:

Hola.    Gracias ante todo.

Lo he probado y no me funciona web-server,    no me funciona lcd i2c,      

Adjunto video.

Mi deseo es sólo ayudar, pues estoy muy interesado.

Gracias de nuevo.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/fKBbVc95T5yzTUMK7