Choose your opponent
Play the computer at one of eight levels, as white, black or a random colour, or pick two players to share one device. Add a clock if you like.
Play Chess Online
Pick a level from beginner to strong, or pass the device to a friend. Drag or tap to move. Take moves back, ask for a hint, save your game as PGN.
Open Chess →How to play chess here
Move your pieces
Drag a piece, or tap it and tap a highlighted square. Dots show every legal move. A pawn that reaches the last rank lets you pick its new piece.
Review and save
Step through the move list, take moves back, ask for a hint, and copy or download the game as PGN to keep it or study it elsewhere.
Chess tips that win games
Fight for the centre
Open with a centre pawn and bring knights and bishops towards the middle. Pieces in the centre reach more squares.
Develop before you attack
Get your minor pieces out and castle early. An attack with two pieces rarely works against a well-placed defence.
Check every capture and check
Before each move, look at every check, capture and threat for both sides. It is the fastest way to stop hanging pieces.
Don’t move the same piece twice
In the opening, each tempo counts. Moving a piece again without a reason gives your opponent a free move.
Trade when you are ahead
With extra material, swap pieces (not pawns). The simpler the position, the easier it is to win.
Use hints to learn
When you are stuck, ask for a hint and try to work out why that move is good. Then play the next game without hints.
Manlin services
Make space for what matters
Use Manlin to reflect, plan and take your next step.
Chess FAQ
Is this chess game free?
Yes. Play as many games as you like with no account, no ads and no limits.
How strong is the computer?
Level 1 plays like a newcomer and often misses captures. Each level looks further ahead and makes fewer mistakes. Level 8 thinks for up to a few seconds per move and plays its strongest chess; it never misses a mate in one and rarely leaves a piece hanging.
Can two people play on one device?
Yes. Choose Two players and take turns. Switch on “Turn the board after each move” so each player sees the board from their side.
Can I take back a move?
Yes. Undo takes back your last move (and the computer’s reply). Redo plays them again. Use the arrows under Moves to look at any earlier position without changing the game.
Do the clocks work like in a tournament?
Choose a time control such as 5 min or 15 min + 10 s. Each player’s clock runs on their turn and the increment is added after every move. Running out of time loses, unless the other side can no longer checkmate. Clocks pause while the tab is hidden.
How do I promote a pawn or castle?
Move the pawn to the last rank and pick the new piece. To castle, move the king two squares towards the rook. All rules are supported, including en passant, stalemate, threefold repetition and the fifty-move rule.
What are PGN and FEN?
PGN is the standard text format for a whole chess game; FEN describes a single position. Copy or download your game as PGN, or paste a PGN or FEN to continue from it.
Can I play with the keyboard?
Yes. Focus the board, move around with the arrow keys and press Enter to pick up and put down a piece. You can also type moves such as Nf3 or e2e4.
Does it work on my phone?
Yes. Tap or drag pieces; the board fills the screen width and the page doesn’t scroll while you drag.
Are my games saved?
The game in progress, your settings and your results are saved in this browser, so you can close the tab and continue later. Clearing your browser data removes them.
More tools in this category
2048Play 2048 free online: swipe or use arrow keys, undo moves, try 3×3 to 6×6 boards, a daily challenge with the same tiles for everyone, stats and colour-blind-safe tiles.
Mouse Sensitivity ConverterConvert game sensitivity and DPI while keeping the same cm/360°. Free, local, with eDPI and downloadable settings.Aim TrainerPractice clicking, target switching and tracking in your browser. Free 2D aim drills, local history and downloadable scorecards.
MinesweeperPlay Minesweeper free in your browser: beginner, intermediate, expert or custom boards, no-guess mode, hints that explain the logic, daily board, stats and touch controls.
SudokuPlay free Sudoku online: 6 difficulty levels, a daily puzzle, notes, hints that explain each step, a step-by-step solver and printable PDF puzzles. No sign-up.
Snake GamePlay the classic snake game free online: smooth movement, four speeds, walls, wrap-around and maze modes, swipe controls on phones, high scores and a daily challenge.