Mephisto Phoenix online play: Update is now available!
What can you expect? In our opinion, the fastest and most stable way to play chess online on a real board.
Why? The fewer interfaces there are on the way from the board to the server, the easier, more stable and faster the game is against other people. And that's what chess is all about, isn't it?
A "normal" connection of eBoards to online chess works via PCs or smartphones. So we usually have the constellation chessboard - Bluetooth - mobile device - WIFI - server. The many intersections on this path slow down the connection - the so-called "lag". Many systems also use an intermediate graphical recognition of changes to the position.
The Mephisto Phoenix, on the other hand, is a direct connection to the LiChess servers via the official LiChess board API. This means that the transmission path with the Phoenix is as follows: chessboard - WIFI - server.
This is the shortest possible way to connect a digital board to an online server - and therefore also the fastest connection option of all.
For Phoenix users, this means: switch on and start playing! With the function "Play Online" you can then challenge friends directly from Phoenix and play against other people. Just as quickly and easily as you play against one of the engines in the Phoenix. Simply at the touch of a button, with your chessboard and the pieces in your hand.
Don't have a Mephisto Phoenix yet? Then it's about time!
Update instructions
We assume that you have already updated your Phoenix to the current version 4.01B . If this is not the case, please carry out the necessary updates (carry out the update, then select it with Select Version and repeat the process until the Phoenix displays version 4.01B).
First step: The update to 4.01C: This update prepares your Phoenix for the major firmware update. This is how it works:
- Switch on the WIFI and when the device is connected
- you carry out the update process via SYS SETT / UPDATE
- Then choose SELECT VERSIO and select 4.01C.
- The device restarts.
Second step: Now the update to 4.01D takes place. This is a very large update in which the entire Phoenix firmware is replaced. The update takes a correspondingly long time, at least 30 - 40 minutes.
- Switch on your WIFI, and when the device is connected
- execute the update process via SYS SETT / UPDATE.
- The Phoenix downloads this update in blocks and only installs it when all blocks have been successfully downloaded.
- Normally, the device is then automatically restarted with 4.01D. If not all blocks could be loaded, the Phoenix will remain on version 4.01C. In this case, please carry out the update again - the Phoenix will then attempt to load the missing blocks.
Due to the number of systems, there may be delays in the delivery of the download packages, especially shortly after the announcement of the update. In such a case, please try again at a later date.
Please note that after updating to 4.01D it is no longer possible to return to previous versions! License packages already purchased (e.g. engine package) will be retained.
Third step: The update to 4.01E.
- Switch on the WIFI and when the device is connected
- execute the update process via SYS SETT / UPDATE.
- Then select SELECT VERSIO and select 4.01E.
- The device restarts. Now the item "Play Online" appears in the main menu .
Functions of the update
The following functions are available with the update:
1) The "Play Online" function. This allows you to connect the Phoenix to your LiChess account and play against other people directly from the chess computer. The software offers the following options:
- Rated or unrated games
- Quick games or a detailed setting for the opponent search
- Play against Lichess friends or certain Lichess users
- Play against the LiChess Engine
- Participation in Arena and Swiss tournaments.
Please also see for our guide to the ChessLink app, which shows the range of functions.
2) Minor bug fixes in the emulations (no sounds in some emulations)
3) Improved handling of the 40 cm Mephisto boards
4) Bugfix for USB game output for conversion to PGN format
A note for friends of the emulations: Due to the system adjustments required to run the Play Online function, the emulations run a few percentage points slower than with older versions. In practice, however, this has little relevance, we are in the range of about 5 Elo points. Please note that it is no longer possible to return to earlier versions after updating to 4.01D.
Using the Play Online function
To be able to use the Play Online function, you must first generate an API access key / access token in for your LiChess account. The token then gives the Phoenix access to your account. You can find a detailed description of how this works here: https://computerchess.com/ChessLink-app-manual/
Important: Activate all authorizations except the "bot:play" option. Take your time when entering the token in Phoenix and pay particular attention to the characters O and 0 (oh and zero) and I and l (upper case I and lower case L), as these are difficult to distinguish in the token.
If you cannot log in to LiChess from Phoenix , something went wrong when you entered the token. If the app starts but you cannot play, it is likely that not all authorizations for the token have been set. In such cases, simply create a new token and enter it again on the Phoenix.
Finally, a note for all Phoenix owners whose device serial number is 101600 or higher: These devices are already equipped with version 4.01D ex works, i.e. a simple update to 4.01E as described above is sufficient.
We now wish you lots of fun with the online game on the Phoenix, and would be delighted to welcome you and your Mephisto Phoenix to our LiChess team at the next Millennium Tournament on Lichess. You can join here: https://lichess.org/team/millennium