Google’s up-to-date chess game lets you customize pieces using artificial intelligence

Google shared the file new chess website this introduces a fun twist to the game: it uses custom elements that are created each time by generative AI. The game begins by allowing you to type in a tiny description of what the white pieces should look like; will generate a set using the Imagen 3 AI model and then automatically come up with a related idea for the color black. When I asked for sci-fi themed pieces for myself, I made fantasy themed pieces for my opponent.

From there you can play the game. It’s functional, but it’s far from a fully functional chess app. You can choose from three difficulty levels and two time controls, but you can’t review previous moves or see what items you’ve captured. The game also defaults to an isometric view of the board, which is frigid to look at but disorienting when playing since most chess apps are top-down. You can change the view to top view in the game settings.

The game was released this week to coincide with the start of the 2024 World Chess Championship, with reigning champion Ding Liren defending his title against 18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju. Google is the main sponsor of the event and seems to be taking advantage of this moment announce some news chess products and initiatives.

Google’s other huge chess announcement this week is the promise of a chess bot coming to Gemini. You’ll be able to play by typing in your moves, and Gemini will display an updated board as the game progresses. Google isn’t saying whether Gemini will gain any other chess skills, though – right now, the AI ​​chatbot consistently doesn’t accurately estimate board positions when you send it an image. The up-to-date feature will be available in December to Gemini Advanced subscribers.