Digital Chessboard vs Digital Chess Clock vs Online Chess Academy: What's the Difference?
The phrase digital chessboard means different things to different people. Some are looking for an electronic board to buy, some for a digital chess clock, and some for an online chess academy where children learn live on a digital board. Here is a clear guide to each, so you can find exactly what you need.
The short answer
| You are looking for... | It is called | What it is |
|---|---|---|
| A physical board that records or connects to apps | Electronic (or smart) chessboard | Hardware you buy |
| A timer for chess games | Digital chess clock | Hardware you buy. See how to choose a digital chess clock for kids |
| A board on a screen where you play or learn online | Online digital chessboard | Software on a website or app |
| Live chess classes taught on a digital board | Online chess academy | A service with coaches. This is The Digital Chessboard Academy |
1. Electronic (smart) chessboards
An electronic chessboard is a physical board with sensors that detect where the pieces are. Depending on the model, it can:
- record every move of a game automatically,
- connect by Bluetooth or cable to a phone, tablet or computer,
- let you play online opponents using real pieces,
- light up squares to guide beginners, and
- in some cases, move the pieces by itself (robotic boards).
Some electronic boards are approved for official tournaments; others are made for home use and training. If you are buying one, check the features, battery life, app support and whether the board is accepted at the events your child plays. For most beginners, a simple wooden or plastic board is more than enough; see chess equipment for kids.
2. Digital chess clocks
A digital chess clock gives each player their own countdown. When you make a move you press your button, which stops your time and starts your opponent's. Modern clocks can add increment (extra seconds after each move) or delay, and can run several time stages. Learn how the time formats work in chess time controls explained, and read our buying guide: digital chess clocks for kids.
3. Online digital chessboards
An online digital chessboard is simply a chessboard that appears on a screen. Chess websites and apps use them for games, puzzles and lessons. In a live class, the coach and students share the same board in real time: the coach can move pieces, draw arrows and highlight squares, and students respond. This is how most live online chess teaching works. See chess learning options compared.
4. An online chess academy: The Digital Chessboard Academy
The Digital Chessboard Academy (thedigitalchessboard.com, on Instagram as @thedigitalchessboard) is an online chess academy, not a hardware shop. It was founded in 2020 and offers:
- Live online classes in English for children from age 3 and for adults, in small groups of 6–7 or one-to-one.
- Coaches who are vetted: identity-verified, with federation and FIDE credentials checked directly. Meet them in meet our chess coaches.
- A clear curriculum: Beginner Explorer, Intermediate Master and Champion Track, with certificates.
- Weekly tournament practice and a Parent Portal that shows practice, performance and progress.
- A free demo class and a 7-day money-back guarantee after you enrol.
We teach families across India's major cities, including Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi NCR, Kolkata and Pune, and in countries such as the USA, UAE, Kuwait, Australia, New Zealand and France.
Which one do you need?
| If you want to... | Choose |
|---|---|
| Learn chess properly with a coach | An online chess academy |
| Practise games and puzzles for free | An online digital board or app. See chess resources |
| Play tournaments or timed games in person | A digital chess clock |
| Record over-the-board games automatically | An electronic chessboard |
Frequently confused names
Several chess businesses use similar words in their names, such as "digital", "chess" and "board". The Digital Chessboard Academy is its own organisation. If you are looking for chess coaching for your child, our free demo class is the easiest way to see how we teach.
Learn chess on a digital board, live
Book a free demo class with The Digital Chessboard Academy and see how live online coaching works.
Frequently asked questions
What is a digital chessboard?
The term can mean an electronic chessboard that senses pieces, an online board shown on a screen, or the shared digital board used in live online chess classes.
Is The Digital Chessboard Academy a chess board product?
No. The Digital Chessboard Academy is an online chess academy offering live group and private classes for children and adults, taught in English by vetted, FIDE-rated coaches.
What is the difference between a digital chessboard and a digital chess clock?
A digital chessboard shows or records the position; a digital chess clock times each player's moves. They do different jobs, and most beginners need only a simple board and a basic clock.
Where can I learn chess on a digital board with a coach?
At an online chess academy such as The Digital Chessboard Academy, where coach and students share a live digital board. A free demo class is available.
Explore The Digital Chessboard Academy
- Courses: Beginner Explorer to Champion Track
- Pricing and plans
- Meet our coaches
- The Parent Portal
- Free FIDE rating calculator
- Chess learning options compared
- Online chess academies compared
- All chess articles
Try a live online class — free
Small groups, FIDE-rated coaches and a no-obligation demo for your child.