Free browser game

Play Chess Online Free

Play chess against the computer or invite a friend for a live match on an 8 by 8 board. Choose a difficulty for CPU games, move with legal highlights, and aim for checkmate.

Computer opponent with multiple difficulty levels and friend invite PvP.
Classic chess rules including castling and promotion.
Free browser play with no download.

How to play Chess Chess rankings

Game Guide

How to Play Chess

Play chess online vs AI

Checkmate the King

Chess is the classic strategy board game where every move matters.

Learn how to play chess with a free online chess game. Study chess rules like castling, en passant, and pawn promotion while you battle a smart AI opponent on the 8x8 board.

8x8 boardAI opponentCheckmate winsClassic chess rules

Gameplay Preview

Controls & Turn Flow

Desktop

Click a piece to reveal legal moves, then click a highlighted square to move.

Mobile

Tap a piece, then tap the destination square to make your move.

Turn Order

You play as White and move first. The computer responds as Black after each move.

Objective & Win Conditions

The goal is checkmate: place the enemy king in check with no legal escape. Protect your own king at all times.

Check is an attack on the king; respond by moving, capturing, or blocking.
Stalemate happens when a player has no legal moves and is not in check (draw).
The king cannot move into check or stay in check.

CheckmateEnds the game

Piece Moves & Special Rules

King

Moves 1 square in any direction, never into check.

Queen

Moves any number of squares in any direction.

Rook

Moves any number of squares horizontally or vertically.

Bishop

Moves diagonally any distance.

Knight

Moves in an L shape and can jump over pieces.

Pawn

Moves forward 1 (or 2 from start), captures diagonally.

Special Rules

Castling moves the king two squares and tucks the rook to safety.
En passant captures a pawn that just advanced two squares.
Pawns auto-promote to a queen on the last rank.

Chess Strategy Tips

Control the center to unlock more active moves and attacks.
Develop knights and bishops early before repeating moves.
Castle to keep your king safe and connect your rooks.
Look for chess tactics like forks, pins, and skewers.
Trade pieces when ahead to simplify the endgame.

Difficulty & Practice

Start on Easy to learn chess rules, then step up to stronger AI opponents for sharper tactics and endgame practice.

Easy

Beginner friendly and perfect for learning piece moves.

Normal

Balanced play that punishes basic mistakes.

Hard

Tougher defense with deeper tactics.