Lexibook Chessman Elite Interactive Electronic Chess Game

The Verdict

Let me be straight with you: the Lexibook Chessman Elite is a solid mid-tier electronic chess board that does exactly what it promises — but it won’t blow your socks off. With a 3.8-star average across 190 ratings, buyers are split between “great value for casual players” and “expected more for the money.” Here’s the unvarnished truth.

What’s in the box

You get the Chessman Elite board itself (roughly 15 x 15 inches, about the size of a standard cutting board), 32 weighted plastic chess pieces with the classic Staunton design, and a basic instruction manual. No batteries included — you’ll need 3 AAAs. The board features a backlit LCD screen showing the clock, move notation, and game status. There’s also a built-in speaker for the voice coach function.

Performance and real-world use

The sensory board is the star here. You press your piece down on its square, then press your destination square — the board registers the move via pressure sensors. It’s intuitive and works reliably, unlike cheaper boards that require finicky coordinate entry. The computer responds with its move in 1-3 seconds at lower levels, though higher levels can take 30-60 seconds to “think.”

With 30 levels, the range is genuinely impressive. Levels 1-5 are beatable by a 6-year-old; levels 25-30 will challenge most club players. The chess engine is reasonable — not Stockfish-level by any means, but it’ll punish basic blunders consistently. One buyer noted, “I’m rated 1400 on chess.com and the level 20 setting gives me a real fight.”

The talking coach feature announces moves and captures verbally (“Knight takes bishop”). It’s a nice touch for kids learning the game, though there’s no volume control — several reviewers complained it’s jarringly loud. One frustrated parent wrote, “My son loves it but I have to put a towel over the speaker when he plays at night.”

Where it falls short

The biggest complaint across reviews is the build quality. The plastic housing feels hollow and creaks when you press firmly on the board edges. At this price point, you might expect a wooden or at least sturdier frame. The pieces themselves are decent but lightweight — they won’t survive being thrown across the room by an angry loser.

The display is another weak spot. It’s a basic monochrome LCD with poor viewing angles. From an angle, you can barely read the move notation. The buttons have a mushy feel that reminds me of a 2005 calculator. It works, but it’s not pleasant.

Who should buy this

The Chessman Elite is best for three groups:

• Parents with kids ages 8-14 who want a screen-free way to learn chess. The voice coach and visual piece feedback make it genuinely educational.
• Casual adult players (rating under 1500) who want a physical board that can beat them without needing a phone or tablet.
• Travelers or commuters who want a self-contained chess set with a built-in clock for casual games.

Skip it if you’re a serious tournament player (the engine tops out around 1800 strength), or if you expect premium materials at this price. Also skip if you want Bluetooth/app connectivity — this is strictly offline, no phone pairing.

FAQ

Q: Can two humans play on this board, or is it computer-only? A: Both. There’s a two-player mode with a built-in chess clock. The computer just acts as a referee and move recorder.

Q: How do I know what level to set for my kid? A: Start at level 1 and move up. Levels 1-3 make obvious blunders and are perfect for absolute beginners. Level 5 is roughly a 600-rated player. Level 10 is about 1000. Scale up from there.

Q: Does it have checkmate detection and illegal move warnings? A: Yes. The board buzzes and shows an error message on the LCD if you attempt an illegal move. It also announces check and checkmate verbally.

The Verdict

Buy it if you want a reliable, screen-free chess trainer for kids or casual play, and you can tolerate the plasticky build.

Skip it if you’re a serious player, want premium materials, or need modern features like app connectivity.

Rating: 3.7/5 — It does the job competently at a fair price, but the dated interface and hollow construction keep it from being a standout. For the right buyer, it’s a genuinely useful training tool. Just don’t expect heirloom quality.

Where to Buy

👉 Check Price on Amazon →

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Last updated: 2026-08-06. Ratings and prices current as of review date. Verify on Amazon before purchasing.