Makura Originals
MakuraGambit
The chessboard that brings tradition and technology together.
The Story
Where Craftsmanship Meets Intelligence
Makura Originals exists to build products that combine engineering, craftsmanship, and thoughtful design. Every Original is conceived, designed, and developed entirely in-house — from the first sketch to the final product.
The Makura Gambit is our first Original. Engineered with an advanced embedded processor, it bridges a physical sensory matrix directly with the global Lichess platform. Every move you make on the board is recognised instantly with zero latency, letting you play online opponents, analyse games with AI, and learn — all without needing a third-party companion app.
We believe the best products are the ones you don't have to think about. The Gambit is designed to feel like a traditional chess board first, featuring an intelligent NeoPixel matrix that visually communicates game states seamlessly beneath the surface.
A specially themed, artistic edition of the Makura Gambit is also currently in development and coming soon.
Features
Designed to Disappear
Technology that stays out of the way, so you can focus on what matters — the game.
Board-to-Board Remote Play
Play online against friends anywhere in the world. When they move a piece on their Makura Gambit, your board instantly lights up to reflect their move in real-time.
Physical Meets Digital
You play on your premium physical board, while your friend plays on their phone or laptop using Lichess. The board automatically synchronizes every move instantly.
Challenge the AI
Play directly against powerful built-in chess engines. Adjust the difficulty from complete beginner to Super-Grandmaster to perfectly match your skill level.
Intelligent Visual Layer
Addressable LEDs signal moves in cyan, captures in magenta, and threats in pulsing red directly on the board surface, intuitively guiding your game.
Coach Mode: Threat Heatmap
A specialized training engine that renders a dim red "X-Ray" field on squares currently under attack by enemy pieces to help beginners learn defensive vision.
Seamless Wireless Setup
No companion apps required. Connects effortlessly to your Wi-Fi and provides a built-in control dashboard accessible from any web browser.
Technical Specifications
Engineered from the ground up to deliver a seamless, zero-latency experience.
Hardware & Interface
- Sensor Matrix
- High-precision instant piece recognition matrix
- Coordinate Map
- Fixed true-position auto-mapping
- Visual Layer
- Intelligent under-surface interactive LED lighting
Compute & Networking
- Core Processor
- High-performance embedded processor
- Memory Buffer
- Optimized local storage for seamless game recovery
- Connectivity
- Seamless plug-and-play wireless network setup
- Dashboard
- Built-in web control interface
- Firmware
- Seamless over-the-air wireless updates
Engine & Integration
- Platform Integration
- Native Lichess API (Encrypted TLS)
- AI Engine
- Cloud-hosted Stockfish (Levels 1 through 8 / ~3000 Elo)
- Matchmaking
- Direct P2P via Lichess handle insertion
Game Logic & Features
- Side Selection
- Parity Tracker supporting White, Black, or random selection
- Compound Moves
- Automated Castling, En Passant vectors, Pawn Promotion
- Takebacks
- Hardware-Synchronized Physical Takebacks (auto Lichess sync)
- Training Engine
- Coach Mode: Interactive Threat Heatmap (Invisible X-Ray)
- Match Clock
- Adaptive Controllers (Strict 10-min Rapid or Casual)
Who Is This For
Built for Every Player
Whether you play for fun, competition, or the love of the game.
Chess Enthusiasts
For players who want the joy of a physical board with the power of modern connectivity.
Professional Players
Tournament-grade precision with AI analysis to sharpen your competitive edge.
Chess Academies
A teaching tool that bridges physical instruction with digital game tracking and analytics.
Families
Bring the family together over the board — then challenge grandma remotely.
Collectors
A statement piece that combines functional technology with premium design and materials.
Roadmap
Development Progress
Follow our journey from concept to global launch.
Industrial Design
CompletedProduct design language, form factor, and material selection finalised.
Electronics Architecture
CompletedPCB design, sensor array, and connectivity hardware finalised.
Prototype Development
CompletedBuilding and iterating on functional prototypes.
Alpha Testing
CompletedInternal testing with the core team and early advisors.
Beta Testing
In ProgressExtended testing with selected community members.
Production
UpcomingManufacturing tooling, quality assurance, and production runs.
Global Launch
UpcomingWorldwide availability through makura.world and retail partners.
Get Early Access
Join the Waitlist
Be the first to know when Makura Gambit is ready. No spam, just updates that matter.