When reporting a problem
A few details make it much easier to find the problem.
- Your device model and iOS or Android version.
- The app version, shown on the Settings screen.
- Which mode you were in: Real Board or On Screen play.
- For real-board capture: lighting condition, board style, and how the phone was mounted.
- For play modes: which computer player, and whether the issue happened on a specific move.
- What you thought would happen, and what happened instead.
Real-board capture tips
- Mount the phone overhead. A phone holder or stand pointing straight down at the board works far better than handholding.
- Even lighting beats bright lighting. Strong overhead glare can wash out piece tops; a desk lamp angled to one side often helps.
- Move pieces slowly. Fast swaps or hands over the board can confuse the board reader; a brief pause after each move keeps the notation clean.
- If the app loses track, you can reset the recognized position from a known starting point and continue.
Common questions
Does Capture work without the camera?
Yes. On-screen play against the computer or another local player does not use the camera at all. Camera permission is only requested when you start real-board capture.
Where do my games go?
Into a saved game list on your device. You can browse your games, review them move by move, and export each one as PGN.
How do I export a PGN?
Open the game from your library and use the share menu. The app makes a standard PGN that opens in any chess tool.
What computer opponents are included?
Six computer players range from very easy to harder: Practice Pawn, Michelle, Emmy, Theo, David, and Abby. Nib has a strength slider when you want to set the level yourself. These are rough guides, not official ratings. All of them run on your device.
Will real-board capture always be perfect?
No. Lighting, board style, piece shape, and hands near the board can all matter. Capture shows uncertainty and lets you correct the position instead of silently making up a move.
Where is my progress stored?
On your device only. There is no cloud sync. If you delete the app, your library and settings are removed with it.
Will there be online play, cloud saves, or Game Center?
Not in the planned first release. Capture ships as a single-device chess helper with local play, real-board capture, and saved games on your device.
Which devices are supported?
Capture is coming soon to iOS and Android. Final device requirements will be listed on the store pages when the app is live. For real-board capture, a phone is usually easier to mount overhead than a tablet.
Is the app free?
The planned first release is free, with no subscriptions or paid extras planned.
I have an idea or feedback.
Please send it. Write to hello@eatchess.com, especially if a particular board style, lighting condition, or play moment caused trouble.
Press and anything else
For press kits, partnerships, or other questions, use the same address: hello@eatchess.com. A one-line subject about what you need helps us route it.