DGT Pi Upgrade

The DGT Pi remains as impressive as ever, now with exciting updates. Equipped with the upgraded Raspberry Pi 3B+, it delivers improved performance, faster processing, and more stable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity. Paired with the latest PicoChess V3.2 software, it offers a smoother, more responsive playing experience in every game. PicoChess is open-source software, allowing enthusiasts and hobbyists to customize and enhance the program to suit their needs.

Because of the upgraded Raspberry Pi hardware and the installation of the new PicoChess version, some parts of the included manual differ slightly from the actual product. The reboot process now takes approximately 60 seconds (previously around 20 seconds) to ensure all components and services are fully initialized before use.

This release also brings a range of menu adjustments and an expanded selection of playing options, featuring more than 45 new chess engines and over 30 additional opening books. From world-class grandmaster-strength engines to fun and challenging personalities, plus an enriched library of opening books, you now have more variety than ever. Explore new lines, practice strategies, and enjoy diverse playing styles.

A new Training Mode lets you play against the computer while receiving instant feedback. Once the game leaves the opening book, the system displays evaluations for both your moves and the computer’s, helping you improve as you play and turning every game into a personalized coaching session.

The built-in PicoChess coaching tools, including Pico Watcher, Pico Coach, and Pico Explorer, give you extra guidance during your games and training, making the DGT Pi a true interactive learning partner.

For competitive players, a new Tournament timing option has been added. This allows you to play with classic time controls such as those used in official events, bringing the feel of professional competition to your home.

Some familiar modes have been renamed in the menus to better reflect their function. You can find their original descriptions in the manual (page 7) under the following previous names:

The quick menu accessed with the extra queen has also been updated in PicoChess V3.2. Engine assignments have changed compared to the instructions on page 17 of the manual. The positions for selecting engines with the extra black queen are now:

• a6 – from StockFish 8 to StockFish NN
• b6 – from Texel 1.07 to StockFish 16
• c6 – from Arasan 2030 to Texel 1.10
• d6 – from Rodent 3229 to Arasan 234
• e6 – from Zurichchess N to Rodent IV
• f6 – from Wildchess to Rodent III
• g6 – from Galjoen 371 to R3 Kids
• h6 – from Sayuri to R3 School

Updated menu structure for the easy method

Please note that the menu structure described on pages 11–14 of the manual is outdated. The current, updated menu can be found in the DGT Pi Manual Extension PDF.

As mentioned in the manual, PicoChess software versions may change over time. This guide refers to version 3.2, but future updates and features might not be covered here. For the latest software information, visit the PicoChess Google group: https://groups.google.com/g/picochess.

You can download the DGT Pi manual extension here.