Play Chess Online Free with Friends
Send a friend a link and play a full game of chess with clocks, voice chat and text chat. Or train against the computer on 4 levels, from Beginner to Master. Free, in your browser, no download.
What is Chess Live?
Chess Live is a free online chess game that runs in your browser. Send a friend an invite link and play a full game with a clock (3+2, 5, 10 or 15+10 minutes), voice chat and text chat, or get matched with another player online. You can also play against a computer on 4 levels, from Beginner to Master, take back moves and copy your game as PGN. All the rules are built in, including castling, en passant, promotion, stalemate and draws by repetition. It works on phones, tablets and computers with no download.
By Tanvir H · Updated
Everything you need to play chess online
Play a friend with a link
Create a room, choose a clock and your colour, then share the link or the 6-letter code on WhatsApp or anywhere else.
Play online
Get matched with another player who is looking for a game right now.
Chess clocks
No clock, 3+2 blitz, 5 or 10 minutes, or 15+10. The clock starts after both players make their first move.
Computer from Beginner to Master
Practise against 4 levels. The computer thinks in the background, so the board never freezes.
Voice and text chat
Talk to your opponent while you play, send messages and reactions, or mute anyone.
All rules checked
Legal moves are shown as dots. Castling, en passant, promotion, check, checkmate, stalemate, 50-move rule and threefold repetition all work automatically.
Take back and flip
Against the computer you can take back moves and flip the board to see it from the other side.
Copy your game
Copy the full game in PGN format to study it later or paste it into any chess program.
Works on any device
Tap or drag pieces on Android, iPhone, tablets and computers. Full-screen mode for phones.
How to play chess online with a friend
- 1
Enter your name
Play as a guest with a name and avatar, or sign in with Google or email to save your wins and draws.
- 2
Create a room
Tap Play with Friends, choose the clock and which colour you want, then tap Create room.
- 3
Send the link
Tap Copy link or WhatsApp. Your friend opens the link and joins your room.
- 4
Start and move
The host taps Start game. Tap a piece to see its moves, then tap the square, or drag the piece.
- 5
Finish the game
Win by checkmate or on time, offer a draw, or resign. Tap Play again for a rematch with colours swapped.
Who plays Chess Live
Beginners
Learn with the dots that show every legal move, and practise against the Beginner and Casual computer.
Club players
Quick blitz games with friends and a Strong or Master computer for training.
Families far apart
A game of chess with a parent or child in another city, with voice chat.
Schools and teachers
A free browser game for chess clubs, with Pass & Play on one tablet.
Chess Live vs a physical chess set
| Chess Live | Chess set | |
|---|---|---|
| Play with people far away | ✓ | ✕ |
| Built-in clock | ✓ | Buy a clock |
| Computer opponent | ✓ | ✕ |
| Illegal moves stopped | ✓ | ✕ |
| Game record | Copy as PGN | Write by hand |
| Cost | Free | Buy a set |
Quick tips to win more chess games
- Control the centre early with your pawns and knights.
- Develop your knights and bishops before you move your queen out.
- Castle early to keep your king safe.
- Before every move, check what your opponent threatens: checks, captures and attacks.
- Do not grab every pawn. A lead in development is often worth more.
- In the endgame, bring your king into the game. It is a strong piece once the queens are gone.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chess Live free?
Yes. Every mode is free, with no download and no in-game purchases.
How do I play chess online with a friend?
Tap Play with Friends, choose the clock and your colour, and tap Create room. Share the link or code. When your friend joins, tap Start game.
How strong is the computer?
There are 4 levels. Beginner makes mistakes on purpose, Casual plays simple chess, Strong thinks about 1 second per move, and Master thinks up to 3.5 seconds and is hard to beat for most club players.
Which rules are supported?
All standard rules: castling, en passant, promotion to any piece, check, checkmate, stalemate, the 50-move rule, threefold repetition and draws with too few pieces to checkmate.
How does the clock work?
Your time runs only on your turn. With an increment such as 3+2, 2 seconds are added after each of your moves. The clock starts after both players make their first move.
What happens if my opponent leaves?
Their clock keeps running and they have 90 seconds to come back. If they do not return, you win the game.
Can I play on my phone?
Yes. Chess Live works in the browser on Android and iPhone. Tap or drag pieces, and use full-screen mode for a bigger board.
Guides for this tool
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Every free tool on this site is designed and coded by Tanvir H, a Bangladesh-based WordPress and Elementor web designer with 7+ years of experience and 650+ projects for clients worldwide. Fast, mobile-first, search-optimised websites that turn visitors into customers.
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