The Kaliningrad Region on a Chessboard — IKBFU Creates Unique Architectural Chess Set

At the Multidimensional Printing and Prototyping Laboratory of the "Smart Materials" Research Centre at Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, a unique chess set has been created in which each piece represents one of the Kaliningrad Region's iconic architectural landmarks. The project brought together the region's cultural heritage, artificial intelligence technologies, digital modelling, and additive manufacturing.

Initially, the task seemed fairly straightforward: to use artificial intelligence tools to develop a concept for the chess pieces, convert the resulting images into digital models, and produce them using a 3D printer. In practice, however, the laboratory team faced a more complex engineering challenge. The concepts generated by AI were not always suitable for direct 3D printing — the models required reconstruction, geometric corrections, adaptation, and optimisation.

Each chess piece has, in effect, gone from being a digital image created using AI to a fully‑fledged engineered object. Staff and students at the laboratory manually refined the geometry, developing a manufacturing process that preserved the artistic expressiveness of the concepts while ensuring they could be produced using a 3D printer. At the same time, the use of artificial intelligence tools reduced the development time for such complex shapes tenfold compared to entirely manual modelling.

LCD photopolymer 3D printing was chosen for the production of the pieces, offering a level of detail down to 30 micrometres. It was precisely this level of precision that made it possible to reproduce complex architectural elements: the bas‑reliefs on the steps, inspired by half‑timbered architecture; the lion figures at the Museum of Fine Arts; and the sculptural depictions of bison associated with one of the KSTU buildings.

The development of the chessboard presented a distinct engineering challenge. A unique modular design was created for it, combining two additive manufacturing technologies — FDM printing for the production of large structural elements and LCD photopolymer printing for highly detailed components. This combination made it possible to capitalise on the advantages of each technology.

Valeria Rodionova, Director of the IKBFU Institute of Applied Physics and Technologies:
This project was the result of unique experience gained at the Smart Materials Research Centre. The centre has been developing 3D printing technologies using composite nanomaterials. It is particularly important that the experience gained in solving complex scientific and technological problems is now being applied to the creation of new engineering and design solutions.

Pyotr Ershov, Head of the Multidimensional Printing and Prototyping Laboratory at the Smart Materials Research Centre:
This project could not have been realised without the young, enterprising students who took an active part in the work. As part of this work, we succeeded in combining artificial intelligence, digital modelling, and additive technologies in practice. Going forward, we plan to develop new areas at the intersection of AI, engineering, and 3D printing.

The chess set that has been created serves as an example of how modern digital technologies can engage with cultural heritage in new ways.