I used to play scholastic tournament chess when I was in school many years ago. The first chess computer I ever used didn't sense the pieces, you had
to use a variation of algebraic notation showing where the piece originated and where it moved to.
Then in 1990's you could spend 40 or 50 bucks for ChessMaster.
Now you can buy this app for the PC for $9.09. And it is available on several other platforms.