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Check out the best sites to play online chess games

5 min. read

Updated onOctober 4, 2023

updated onOctober 4, 2023

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Key notes

Without overshadowing the excitement of a good classic real-life board game, online chess has become increasingly popular starting with the 1990s and the introduction of Microsoft’s basic chess game.

Nowadays one can find a multitude of possibilities to stay focused on a virtual chessboard, from specific chess apps for mobile of Windows, to specificchess softwarefor Windows.

Not to mentionChess Tutor, a software that anyone can use to better their chess technique.

And then there’s also the multitude of online chess games, which allow amateur players to play just occasionally, but also to join huge chess communities worldwide, where they can share tactics and learn strategies.

In this article, we’ll be looking at some of the best sites where you can play online chess.

Think you could get better at chess with the right help? You should try AI software that analyzes every move you make and every chess match.

DecodeChess uses an algorithm created by a grandmaster in chess that will find all your flaws and suggest new and better strategies on the go.

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What are the best websites to play free online chess?

Chess.com– Largest online chess community

At the moment, Chess.com is the largest community of chess players from all over the world, with over 28 million members, and over 1 million online chess games hosted daily.

It’s a community where there’s a place for everyone, no matter if you’re a beginner or an expert. The dynamic is fantastic: not only you can join live games and compete against reputable opponents, but you can also findcorrespondence-style games, readuseful articles, follow live events and tournaments, and join forums.

Signing up is free, as is the basic membership. But to enjoy the full experience andgain access to extra training features and videos, you need a paid membership.

⇒Go play on Chess.com

Lichess.org– Great learning tools

Considerably smaller than the previous community, the one a Lichess is similarly important.

The website provides a variety of online play modes as well as training materials and learning tools. You can opt to play standard chess games, choose your opponent, and even create your own chess game.

Since thechess community is not that large, you might find an opponent a bit harder, but the website is an excellent learning open source.

Membership is free, but of course, donations are encouraged.

⇒Go play on Lichess.org

Chess24.com– Great chess modes to be played

Currently, Chess24 is one of the largest chess communities that you can join and have fun playing good quality online chess.

The platform offers the same game features and training opportunities as the previous options, plus a gift shop for avid chess fans.

You can either user the site’s web version, or download their app for Android or iOS and keep training at your own pace, anywhere.

Basic membership is free, whereas a premium upgrade allows full access to training material such as video series and ebooks.

⇒Go play on Chess24.com

Free Internet Chess Server (FICS)– Oldest chess server still standing

FICS is one of the oldest internet chess servers, with a still strong community.

It’s a good place to start with an occasional game, and then move on to more serious games against other players or strong computers.

They don’t have an official interface, though, so in order to play you need to download a compatible interface, depending on your device. Most interfaces are free.

⇒Go play on Free Internet Chess Server (FICS)

Playchess. com– Good place to watch live chess games

Another great online source to play free chess, watch live games or tournaments, and improve your chess moves.

Membership is free and recommended to have access to all the tools they offer, plusaccess to all other ChessBase Web Tools.

Besides playing regular games or blitz games, you will be able to even store your own games in the cloud for further analysis and improvement, take chess quizzes to study previous strong games.

⇒Go play on Playchess. com

Red Hot Pawn– Good premium features

As the homepage says, Red Hot Pawn is a perfect place to enjoy just a basic chess game on the spot, against a computer. You have to sign up for customizable features, and also to be able to record your games and moves, to pause and resume games at a later time.

You can also download their dedicated app for Android or iOS and enjoy correspondence chess games.

For premium paid membership, you get access to training material and other features, as expected.

⇒Go play on Red Hot Pawn

Chess Tempo– Good variety of difficulties against players

Whether you fancy some live chess or just a correspondence chess game, Chess Tempo is always a good option. You can choose an opponent based on their ratings, and you can opt for a blitz game or a longer one.

And if you want to improve your moves, this is the place to be, since you can find specific training from opening to endgame or just tactics.

Free membership offers just enough features for an amateur player.

⇒Go play on Chess Tempo

Gameknot– Good chess tournaments and database

With Gameknot, once you register (for free) you have instant access to correspondence chess games only, tournaments, annotated games, and whole chess database.

You can even play several chess games online simultaneously and try different strategies.

Give it a try whenever you are at your computer and have the knack to make a move.

And with this, we end our choices. We’d like to hear about your favourite website to play online chess so drop us a line in the comments section below.

⇒Go play on Gameknot

Check out the best sites to play online chess games#

DecodeChess#

What are the best websites to play free online chess?#

Chess.com– Largest online chess community#

Lichess.org– Great learning tools#

Chess24.com– Great chess modes to be played#

Free Internet Chess Server (FICS)– Oldest chess server still standing#

Playchess. com– Good place to watch live chess games#

Red Hot Pawn– Good premium features#

Chess Tempo– Good variety of difficulties against players#

Gameknot– Good chess tournaments and database#