Something to feel beneath your thumb.
The physical-control direction is deliberate: move around the board, choose a piece and confirm your move. A clear rhythm could help make the handheld feel distinct from another app. The shape and response of the controls still need testing; the render illustrates the intention rather than a finished mechanism.
Touch, where it makes sense.
We are exploring touch as another way to interact with the board. Tap a piece, choose a square and make the position your own. Touch should make the experience easier without crowding the screen. We are still evaluating how it would work with the display and physical controls.
Clarity before cleverness.
Whatever the final input method, you should know which square is selected, what action comes next and when a move has been confirmed. We are considering readable focus states, simple menus and comfortable navigation. Our browser preview lets you explore the idea; it is not a demonstration of final hardware.