For centuries, chess openings have been the foundation of strategy, passed down through books, masters’ games, and endless hours of analysis. Players memorized long lines, trusted grandmasters’ wisdom, and hoped to navigate the middlegame with a slight edge. But the engine era has completely transformed how we approach the opening phase of the game.

How Engines Changed Openings

Before the rise of powerful chess engines, theory was shaped slowly by tournament play. If a new move appeared in a world championship, it could take years for it to become mainstream. Today, a new novelty can be discovered overnight by engines running on powerful computers.

Chess engines like Stockfish, Leela, and Maia have not only refined old openings but also revived lines once thought dubious. Suddenly, the “wrong” move decades ago may now be playable with precise preparation. The Sicilian Defense, the Berlin Wall, or even unorthodox openings like the Scandinavian have gained fresh life thanks to engine-backed research.

Engines don’t just confirm what’s strong—they also reveal hidden resources for the underdog. This means players of all levels now have access to world-class preparation.

The Challenge for Players

While this wealth of knowledge is exciting, it also brings a challenge: How do you train effectively in the engine era? Memorizing lines is no longer enough. Players need tools that allow them to:

  • Explore engine-recommended variations.

  • Practice against realistic computer opponents.

  • Bridge the gap between theory and practical play.

This is where smart chessboards come in.

Chessnut Evo: Opening Training Reimagined

The Chessnut Evo is more than a smart chessboard—it’s a complete training system. With its built-in AI (Maia), Evo allows you to practice openings not just by reading lines but by actually playing them out against the engine on a real board. You can:

  • Load and test opening repertoires.

  • Explore variations instantly with visual guidance.

  • Play against different AI levels to strengthen practical understanding.

Unlike traditional online training, Evo combines the physical feel of over-the-board play with the power of engine analysis, creating a natural but modern learning experience.

Chessnut Move: The Future of Interactive Training

For players who want to take opening exploration to another level, the upcoming Chessnut Move introduces automatic piece movement. Imagine preparing the Sicilian or Queen’s Gambit and watching the board move the opponent’s pieces for you, exactly as the engine or online opponent plays them.

This creates an almost futuristic training environment:

  • No need to reset pieces manually.

  • Practice openings at full speed with seamless interaction.

  • Ideal for hands-free study or high-intensity drill sessions.

With Chessnut Move, it feels like training against a real sparring partner who never gets tired—and who always knows the theory.

Embracing the Engine Era

Engines are not just tools for grandmasters anymore. They are companions for every chess lover who wants to grow. The opening stage, once a mystery shrouded in dusty books, is now alive with possibilities—and products like Chessnut Evo and Chessnut Move make that journey more immersive, efficient, and exciting than ever.

If you want to embrace the engine era of chess openings, combine the best of both worlds: the timeless beauty of physical play and the limitless knowledge of modern technology.