Assembling the components

After making the four PCBs, we can proceed with the assembly of components:

• Diode: 1N4148 (DO-35 package)

• Reed Switch: VISHAY RI-23B

It should give special attention to diode orientation: the side with the band (cathode) oriented towards the row track.

The easiest is to solder in ascending order of size: jumpers, diodes and lastly the reed switches. There are so many pins to bend, so is very helpful to use a wooden strip with appropriate width, as shown in the following pictures.

You have to be very careful when bending the reed switch pins, as the bulb is glass and breaks easily.

And we proceed with assembling and soldering, paying attention to the orientation of the diodes:

We coat the side of the tracks with clear lacquer, in order to protect the copper:

And now we have four assembled PCBs ready to be installed on the chessboard: