In 1951, when Alan Turing, scrawled out a program that was capable of playing a complete game of chess, seldom did he know the giant leaps the game of chess would take from that juncture in history.
Artificial Intelligence has come a long and remarkable way. And of all the areas it reformed with its magic wand, chess remains the most astounding. Today computer chess and its algorithms are no strangers to us, neither are robots who sit down to play chess with stalwarts. With AI came innovative concepts and the complex framework of chess witnessed many reformations that gave way to structural and design renovations for the game.
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AI and robotics have also succeeded in inventing new pathways in the learning of the game, simplifying its complex framework and making the sport more “approachable” for beginners. That was his intention too when Bülent Ünal designed Illuminis in 2019 – the new chess set that breaks down the complex game for kids. In Ünal's new design concept, the chess set provides visual pointers through a battery-powered light display for kids who are learning the game.
Chess for Children: Illuminating the Young Minds
Ünal, from Turkey, first came up with the concept when his little daughter asked him to teach her the game as she had a chess lesson in her kindergarten class. While teaching her the moves, he realized that though she learned the movements for each piece easily, she struggled with the “route” or the direction her pieces could take on the board. It was difficult for her to assess any threat as well, on the squares. It was then that Ünal came up with the concept of a chessboard that illuminates the possible route of every piece and alerts on the threats.
The chess set, designed for kids, is named Illuminis as the chess pieces illuminate the path or the particular squares by laser light. All you need to do is to press the chess piece and the path it can move is displayed in circles. When you move the chess pieces, they illuminate the respective paths or possible directions. This helps the child to visually perceive the game and have a better understanding. The clear-cut illuminated paths eliminate confusion especially when the board is crowded.
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Illuminis: the design aspects
There are 32 pieces in the chess set. All the pieces come with battery slots. The front portion of all the pieces have a provision to reflect the light with a laser. And, when you press the pieces, the squares in the required direction are illuminated. Even a 90-degree turn of the piece activates the laser light. The game can be played without the light display as well though batteries are required for the visual mapping of movements. The chess base made of thermostat plastic is 35 x 35 cm, with inner squares measuring 3.5 x 3.5 cm. While the king stands tall at 8 cm, the shortest pawn has a height of 6.5 cm. All the pieces of the set need batteries for energy.
Bülent Ünal’S chess set has orange and black miniature pieces. The minions-like pieces with round shiny bodies and heads are quite attractive for kids. Rather than resembling the traditional chess pieces, the toy chess pieces look like helmet-wearing robots. Together with the visual indicators, Ünal’s innovative chess set is an impressive blend of technology and chess with a contemporary edge. The uber looks and the advanced technology make it an ideal learning device for today’s young generations.
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Wrapping Up
Research on learning techniques upholds the significance of visual descriptions, especially for children. Visual items attract children, sustain interest, and motivate them to learn and get actively involved in the learning process.
Chess, as we know, is a game of patterns and rests on memory, discipline, and focused skills. It is all about learning and remembering the formations and the possible paths of each piece. That is the foundation upon which a beginner can build the strategies and progress into more complex learning.
Ünal’s Illuminis chess set could initiate the young ones into the beginner’s learning process - harnessing skills, memory and understanding and become more tactful in the game of chess.
At MindMentorz, we focus on chess coaching with a shift to cognitive skill development in kids that fine-tunes their brains for better skill and focus in the game. A team of passionate chess lovers and master players, we inspire a deeper understanding of the sport rather than aiming solely at reproducing patterns and winning. To know more about our methods and coaching techniques, visit us at https://www.mindmentorz.com/ or call us for consultation at +91 9606847428