Hi everyone,
I'm excited to share a new project that might interest the community: I've successfully implemented a Bluetooth Low Energy gateway for the DGT3000 chess clock using an ESP32.
After reverse-engineering the complex dual-I2C communication protocol used by the DGT3000 (which was quite a challenge!), I've created a complete solution that transforms any DGT3000 into a Bluetooth-enabled chess clock.
Key Features:
BLE connectivity with JSON-based protocol for easy integration
Dual-core architecture (BLE on Core 1, time-sensitive I2C on Core 0)
Real-time event notifications for button presses, lever moves, and time changes
Auto-recovery and reconnection logic
Simple hardware setup - just 4 wires to solder, no additional components needed
What's Available:
Complete source code and documentation: https://github.com/Tortue95/DGT3000-BLE-Gateway
Web-based firmware flasher (no Arduino IDE required)
Python test client with interactive mode
Comprehensive protocol documentation for integration
The hardware requirements are minimal: an ESP32-S3-Zero and a 3.5mm jack connection to the DGT3000's I2C port.
Feel free to check out the project and let me know if you have any questions or suggestions!