Millennium The King Performance: The Chess Computer for Club Players
The King Performance (reference M830) is a tabletop chess computer from Millennium, powered by Johan de Koning’s The King engine. It combines a 32 cm board with 81 LEDs, weighted wooden pieces, levels ranging from beginner to very strong player and, with the ChessLink module, online play on Lichess and Chess.com. It is one of the most complete choices for a club player.
Chess engine: the program that calculates a chess computer’s moves. In The King Performance, this is The King, written by the programmer Johan de Koning; Millennium introduced it into its range in 2018.
The King Performance: Specifications
Source: the official The King Performance M830 page on computerchess.com, checked on 18/10/2026. The manufacturer specifies that the board surface is wood-effect, set in a genuine wooden frame.
The format is that of a real living-room chess board: a 32 cm playing surface and weighted wooden pieces whose king measures 7.2 cm. This is a long way from the small travel boards with magnetic pieces. It is what sets The King range apart from the compact ChessGenius models presented on our page on the Millennium ChessGenius range.
The King Performance: Levels for Every Player
Millennium announces a strength ranging from about 700 Elo to over 2,400 Elo (the same page also mentions over 2,500 Elo). Two ways of setting the opponent coexist:
- 4 adaptive levels, which adjust the device’s strength to your play;
- Elo levels, to aim precisely at an opponent of your own rating, or slightly above.
The device also offers Chess960 (Fischer random chess), where the starting position of the pieces is drawn at random: a good way of getting out of opening theory. For a club player, being able to set a precise Elo level is a real advantage: you train against an opponent comparable to those at the next tournament.
Playing Online: The Millennium ChessLink Module
The King Performance does not connect to the internet on its own. You need to add the ChessLink (reference M822), a Bluetooth module sold for €99 by the manufacturer. Indicative price observed, on 18/10/2026. With the free Millennium ChessLink app (Android 6 and above with Bluetooth Low Energy, or iOS), you can play on:
- Lichess;
- Chess.com;
- Tornelo, an online tournament platform.
The module also works with the HIARCS Chess Explorer (iOS) and Chess for Android apps. It is compatible with the Chess Classics Exclusive, The King Performance, The King Competition and the Supreme Tournament 55. To add it to your board, see the Bluetooth module for connecting a Millennium.
Training with The King Performance: Three Methods
A finely adjustable chess computer becomes a training tool, not just an opponent. Here are three ways of using it that club players commonly practise.
1. The “slightly stronger” opponent
Set an Elo level slightly above your rating. The games remain winnable, but every mistake is punished. It is the equivalent of a club partner a little better than you, available every evening.
2. Replaying difficult positions
After a tournament game, replay the moves up to the critical position (or use the position set-up feature if the manual provides for it) and play it several times against the machine, changing your plan. You will understand better why your idea did not work, or which other idea would have.
3. Getting out of the openings with Chess960
If you feel you always play the same openings, a series of Chess960 games forces you to think from the very first move. The King Performance offers it directly, with no special setup.
The King Performance or The King Competition?
The King Competition (M831) uses the same The King engine and the same processor, with a 32 cm pressure-sensor board with LEDs and a 7.18 cm king. It is also compatible with ChessLink. Retailers announce an estimated strength of around 2,450 Elo. The two models differ mainly in presentation and price; check the finish of the board and pieces with your retailer before choosing.
The King Performance or DGT Centaur?
This head-to-head comes up in every discussion among club players.
The King Performance
- Precise Elo levels and 4 adaptive levels.
- Chess960.
- Weighted wooden pieces.
- Online play with ChessLink (optional).
- Mains adapter.
DGT Centaur
- Automatic adaptation, no setup.
- Built-in e-paper screen.
- USB-rechargeable battery.
- No official online play.
- Weighted pieces, 86 mm king.
Our advice: a rated player who wants to tailor their training and keep the door open to online play will choose The King Performance. A player who simply wants “a good game” every evening, with no setup and no cable, will be happier with the DGT Centaur.
Our Verdict on The King Performance
Strengths
- The King engine, strong and finely adjustable.
- A real chess board format, weighted wooden pieces.
- Chess960 and adaptive levels.
- Upgradeable thanks to ChessLink.
- Listed at €399 by the manufacturer (indicative price observed, 18/10/2026).
Limitations
- No piece recognition: you must respect the starting position and play tidily.
- Runs on mains power.
- ChessLink module is an extra for online play.
Frequently Asked Questions
DGT Centaur or King Performance?
The King Performance suits the player who wants to choose an Elo level, play Chess960 and possibly play online with the ChessLink module. The DGT Centaur suits the player who wants an opponent that adapts by itself, on a battery, with no setup at all.
What is the strongest chess computer?
Today’s top-end devices, The King Performance among them, all play far above club-player level. The Elo strengths announced by manufacturers are not measured consistently, which rules out a reliable ranking between brands.
Can The King Performance play on Lichess and Chess.com?
Yes, with the ChessLink Bluetooth module (M822) and the free Millennium ChessLink app, which gives access to Lichess, Chess.com and Tornelo.
Does The King Performance recognise the pieces?
No. Its board uses pressure sensors: it tracks the moves from the starting position, without identifying the pieces.