A startup with an amalgamation of Tech and Chess

Square Off is a startup by Aatur Mehta and Bhavya Gohil which enables the visually impaired to play Chessboard games. It is powered by AI and is controlled through an app where the pieces move on their own.

A startup with an amalgamation of Tech and Chess

In 2013, Aatur Mehta and Bhavya Gohil were caught up in a unique problem. The Chairperson of the National Association of Blind (NAB) connected with them to evaluate if they could design a chessboard for the visually impaired, as it is impossible for them to play on computers or smartphones. The need for Chairperson for a chessboard for the visually impaired led to the founding of a startup called Square Off.

Founded in 2015, its first product was Square Off Chessboard. It is an intelligent, connected chessboard powered by AI and functions through an app where the pieces move on their own. It empowers users to play against the board or anyone sitting in any corner of the world.

The struggle for the startup was a tough journey for them. The duo was in need of finance to build their startup. To get the money, they took part in different technical paper presentation and national level tech competitions to obtain prize money in order to create the prototype. After struggling, they gathered money and launched their first prototype which was a success.

Later they launched Square Off Neo, a compact and economical product. it provides silent movement and precision mechanics which is filled with features and has smooth contours and a cool design. They intend to add Square Off ‘victor’ which is an edtech pIlatform to the whole lot. They have also planned to launch Smart Piano and Swap X which are an interchangeable surface gaming platform, with patented square technology, which can be also used for licensing.