Lexibook Chessman FX Electronic Chess Game - Lighted Tactile Board

In this review of the Lexibook Chessman FX the bottom line is straightforward: this is a family-friendly electronic chess set best for beginners and casual players who want a visual, hands-on learning aid. The game stands out because its touch-sensitive board and 64 warning lights make move feedback immediate and intuitive, which helps new players understand piece interactions. Our review finds it especially useful for parents teaching children, as the translucent light-up pieces and progressive difficulty levels turn practice into a guided exercise.

Key Features

• Lighted move guidance: The board uses 64 warning lights under the origin and destination squares so players see each move clearly and learn from visual feedback.
• Translucent pieces: The glowing chess pieces enhance visibility and make piece location easy to track during play or teaching sessions.
• Touch-sensitive memory: The tactile keyboard stores piece placement when the board is turned off, so interrupted games can be resumed.
• Progressive difficulty: Sixty-four levels, including five beginner levels across four play modes, let learners improve step by step.
• Advanced rating system: An internal Elo 1800 player rating provides a meaningful strength benchmark as skill increases.
• Rules-aware engine: The unit recognizes pawn promotion, en passant, the 50-move rule, draws by repetition, and can referee two-player games in MULTIMOVE mode.

Who It's For

The Lexibook Chessman FX is ideal for families and schools introducing children to chess or for casual players who prefer a tactile, visual interface over an app or software-only trainer. The built-in training mode and hint function make it a practical teaching tool for guided practice.

It is less well suited to advanced tournament players who need a stronger engine or a professional tournament board, and buyers looking for heavy-duty, premium construction may find the build and size more modest than specialty chess equipment.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Clear move feedback with 64 lights helps players learn visual board awareness.
• Training features and hint function provide practical guidance for improvement.
• Compact storage with drawers keeps the 32 pieces organized and accessible.
• Touch-sensitive board preserves game state between sessions for convenience.

Cons

• Some users report mixed reliability in the computer play experience compared with dedicated chess software.
• The instruction quality and compact size may disappoint those expecting more detailed manuals or a larger board.

Specifications

Our Verdict

The Chessman FX is a clever, affordable learning board that blends visual cues with practical training tools, making it a good purchase for families and beginners. While it is not aimed at high-level competitive players, its progressive levels, hint system, and tactile design deliver strong value for those focused on learning and casual play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the board save a game if it is switched off?
Yes, the touch-sensitive board stores piece placement so a game can be resumed after power off.

Does the unit teach correct moves?
Yes, the TRAINING mode indicates whether a played move is optimal and offers the option to try a different move.

How many difficulty levels are there?
There are 64 progressive difficulty levels, including five beginner levels spread across four play modes.