Multiplayer Chess

Play classical chess vs the computer or a friend in real time.

A full classical chess game — play the built-in computer at three difficulty levels, or invite a friend with a link. Pick time controls (Blitz / Rapid / Classical / custom / untimed), choose board themes and piece sets, and chat between moves. Server-validated online play, reconnect, draw / resign / takeback and a full-screen view.

Multiplayer Chess features

• Play the built-in computer at three levels: Easy, Medium and Hard
• Online multiplayer with a friend via a share link
• Six time controls: Untimed, Blitz 3+2 and 5+0, Rapid 10+0 and 15+10, Classical 30+0
• Seven board themes, from black-and-white to walnut, ocean and lavender
• Nine piece sets, including tournament Staunton, celtic, paper and cartoon
• In-game chat with your opponent between moves
• Offer a draw, request a takeback or resign from the game bar
• Reconnect to a game in progress by reopening the room link
• True full screen via the browser's Fullscreen API
• Computer opponent runs entirely in your browser — no external engine

How to use Multiplayer Chess

1. Pick your opponent

   Open the lobby and choose to play the built-in computer or a friend. Playing a friend creates a room with a share link — send it and they join that same board.

2. Choose a time control

   Pick Untimed, Blitz (3+2 or 5+0), Rapid (10+0 or 15+10) or Classical (30+0). Rapid 10+0 is the default. Against the computer, also pick Easy, Medium or Hard.

3. Make your moves

   Click or tap a piece to see its legal moves, then click the square you want. Illegal moves are refused, and checks, captures and the last move are highlighted for you.

4. Use the game controls

   Offer a draw, request a takeback or resign from the game bar. In a game with a friend you can also chat between moves without leaving the board.

5. Make it yours

   Open Settings to switch between seven board themes and nine piece sets, or go true full screen so the board fills your whole display.

Frequently asked questions

Is this chess game free to play?

Yes. Every mode is free with no sign-up, no account and no download. You can play the computer or invite a friend as many times as you like.

Can I play chess against the computer?

Yes. There are three levels: Easy, Medium and Hard. The computer searches deeper at each level, and Easy deliberately plays some weaker moves so a beginner can win, while Hard plays a serious game with no deliberate mistakes.

How do I play chess online with a friend?

Choose to play a friend and the game creates a room with its own link. Send that link to them and you both land on the same board. The room code stays in the URL, so refreshing or losing connection reconnects you to the same game.

What time controls can I choose?

Six of them: Untimed with no clock, Blitz at 3+2 or 5+0, Rapid at 10+0 or 15+10, and Classical at 30+0. The numbers are minutes per player plus the seconds added after each move.

Does the game need an internet connection?

Playing a friend does, because moves are checked on the server so neither side can make an illegal move. Playing the computer does not — that opponent runs entirely in your browser, with no external chess engine and no moves sent anywhere.

Can I change how the board and pieces look?

Yes. There are seven board themes and nine piece sets, from a classic tournament Staunton to paper and cartoon styles. Your choice is remembered for the next game.

What happens if I close the tab in the middle of a game?

Open the same room link again and you will be reconnected to the game where you left it, with the clocks and move history intact.