Which Electronic Chess Set for an Adult Beginner? Models by Level
For an adult starting out, the best electronic chess set for a beginner is the one that explains or adapts rather than the one that plays strongest. The ChessUp 2 colours the moves according to their quality, the DGT Centaur adjusts its own strength, and the Millennium ChessGenius offers a compact, inexpensive opponent. The choice depends above all on whether you want to play with or without a screen, and online or not.
Move aid: a feature that shows the player, during the game, the possible moves or their quality, with lights or a screen. It is the most useful tool for a beginner, because it turns every game into a lesson.
Electronic Chess Set for Beginners: The 4 Questions to Ask Yourself
- Do you want explanations during the game? If so, favour a model with light-up aids (ChessUp 2) or adaptive levels (Centaur, The King Performance).
- Do you want to play without a screen? A standalone chess computer (Centaur, ChessGenius) is switched on and played. A connected board requires a phone or tablet.
- Do you want to play against humans online? Only the connected models allow it: ChessUp 2, Chessnut, DGT Pegasus, Millennium with ChessLink.
- Where will you play? On a living-room table, a large board with weighted pieces is more pleasant; on the move, a compact battery-powered model.
The Right Model for Your Profile
“I want to understand my mistakes”
ChessUp 2: every possible move is coloured according to its quality, with five assistance levels.
“I want an evening game, with no screen”
DGT Centaur: it adjusts its own strength so that the game stays close.
“I want to try it without spending too much”
Millennium ChessGenius or ChessGenius Pro: compact, battery-powered, no setup.
“I want to play alone and online”
Chessnut Evo: touchscreen, built-in engines, Lichess and Chess.com on the device.
ChessUp 2: Learning Through Colour
ChessUp is designed by Bryght Labs, a company in the Kansas City area founded by former Garmin engineers. The first ChessUp was funded on Kickstarter in March 2021. Its central idea: when you touch a piece, the squares it can go to light up, in green for an excellent move, in blue for an average move, in red for a poor move. The artificial intelligence is based on Stockfish.
The ChessUp 2 adds Wi-Fi, a colour touchscreen and a battery announced for up to 6 hours (USB-C charging). It offers five assistance levels, from beginner to master. It is presented as an official Chess.com partner and also works with Lichess, which cites it among the boards compliant with its official interface. The manufacturer listed it at $379.99 on promotion ($429.99 at the normal price). Indicative price observed, on 18/10/2026.
For an adult who really wants to learn, it is the most instructive model: the colours give immediate feedback without having to read an analysis.
DGT Centaur: The Opponent That Adapts
The DGT Centaur gives no lessons, but it solves the beginner’s main problem against a machine: losing every game. Its adaptive mode automatically sets its strength so that the game stays balanced. No app, no account: switch it on and play. It is the best answer to the question “how can I play chess on my own, on a real board?” Its USB-rechargeable battery lets you play anywhere in the house.
Millennium ChessGenius: The Small Budget
The Millennium ChessGenius and its Pro version are compact chess computers with a 20 cm board, battery-powered. Richard Lang’s program offers a wide range of levels, from the weakest to the strongest. The ChessGenius Pro is listed at €169 by the manufacturer (indicative price observed, 18/10/2026). Limitations for a beginner: small magnetic pieces and no visual aid as expressive as the ChessUp’s. But for getting used to playing a machine without a screen, it is the simplest way in.
A step up, The King Performance offers four adaptive levels and Elo levels from about 700, on a real 32 cm board with weighted wooden pieces.
Chessnut Evo: The All-in-One
The Chessnut Evo combines a chess computer and a connected board. Its 12.3-inch touchscreen and its two engines, including Maia, designed to play like a human of a given level, make it a credible opponent for a beginner: it makes “human” mistakes instead of playing perfect but incomprehensible moves. It also gives access to Lichess and Chess.com without a phone. The other side of the coin: an Android device, more complex and dearer.
Improving with a Chess Computer: A Simple Routine
A device does not make you improve on its own; it is the way you use it that counts. An effective beginner’s routine comes down to four habits:
- Play slowly: choose a level where you have time to think. One thoughtful game a day is worth more than ten rushed ones.
- Aim for the balanced game: if you win everything, move up a level; if you lose everything, move down. The adaptive modes do this for you.
- Use the aid sparingly: look for your own move first, and only then consult the hint or the colours. The aid confirms or corrects your thinking instead of replacing it.
- Go back over your mistakes: when a piece is lost, take the move back (if the device allows it) and look for what you had not seen.
The Most Common Buying Mistakes
- Buying a connected board to play alone without a phone: a DGT Pegasus or a Chessnut Air does not play without an app.
- Buying a standalone computer to play online: the DGT Centaur or the compact ChessGenius models do not connect to Lichess or Chess.com.
- Choosing on maximum strength: every model beats a beginner; look instead at the weaker levels and the aids.
- Underestimating the board size: a 20 cm board with small magnetic pieces is handy for travel, but less pleasant for long games at home.
Summary Table: Which Model for Which Beginner?
| Model | Type | Help for the beginner | Connectivity | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ChessUp 2 | Connected and standalone | Squares coloured by move quality, 5 assistance levels | Wi-Fi, Chess.com, Lichess | Anyone who wants to learn fast |
| DGT Centaur | Standalone | Automatic adaptive strength | None | Anyone who wants to play alone without a screen |
| Millennium ChessGenius / Pro | Compact standalone | Wide range of levels | None | Small budget, travel |
| The King Performance | Standalone | 4 adaptive levels, Elo levels from about 700 | With ChessLink | Motivated beginner aiming for a club |
| Chessnut Evo | Connected and standalone | Maia engine with “human” play | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Lichess, Chess.com | Anyone who wants everything in one device |
To see the models available in France and choose an electronic chess set to start with, a specialist’s selection lets you compare sizes and finishes. If the device is meant for a child rather than for you, read our page on electronic chess sets for children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which chess computer is best for beginners?
To learn, the ChessUp 2, which colours the moves according to their quality. To play alone with no setup, the DGT Centaur, which adapts its strength. For a small budget, the Millennium ChessGenius. The right choice depends on how much explanation and connectivity you need.
How can I play chess on my own?
The simplest way is a standalone chess computer, such as the DGT Centaur or the Millennium ChessGenius: it plays against you on a real board, with no screen or connection. A connected board also lets you take on the Lichess or Chess.com computer through an app.
Is a chess computer worth it for a beginner?
Yes if you play regularly and prefer a real board to a screen: the aids and adaptive levels make every game instructive. For a few games a year, a free phone app may be enough.
Which electronic chess set lets me play alone without a phone?
Standalone chess computers: the DGT Centaur, Millennium ChessGenius and The King Performance. The Chessnut Evo and the ChessUp 2 also work without a phone thanks to their built-in screen.