Playing chess online: a comparison of the best free sites

The 10 best sites for playing chess online for free

1. Lichess — 100% free and open source

Lichess is the number one choice for playing chess online without spending a penny. Completely free, ad-free and open source, Lichess offers a fast, clean interface. You can play in real time, take part in tournaments around the clock, analyse your games with the Stockfish engine and solve tactical puzzles. No sign-up is needed to start a game — a major advantage for anyone who wants to play chess online without registering. The mobile app (iOS and Android) is just as complete as the web version.

2. Chess.com — the largest community in the world

Chess.com brings together more than 150 million members and is the largest online chess platform. The site offers live games with various time controls (bullet, blitz, rapid, classical) as well as correspondence games. Free membership gives you unlimited games, access to the forums and a handful of daily puzzles.

Premium subscriptions (from $2.99 to $11.99/month) unlock video lessons, detailed analysis reports, unlimited puzzles and access to the full video library. Chess.com is particularly strong on educational content: the lessons cover everything from setting up the pieces to advanced endgame tactics. You might even come across grandmasters such as Magnus Carlsen or Hikaru Nakamura playing live.

3. Chess24 — ideal for following tournaments

Chess24, now integrated with Chess.com, remains a reference point for live coverage of major international tournaments. Free membership gives access to online play and some content. Premium members get video courses, ebooks, and the chance to challenge titled players during live streams.

4. PlayChess.com — for serious players

PlayChess.com is run by ChessBase, the publisher of the world’s most widely used chess database software. The site integrates with ChessBase and Fritz programs, making it a preferred choice for players who analyse their games seriously. Fewer players are online at any one time, but the average standard is high.

5. Internet Chess Club (chessclub.com) — the veteran

The ICC was for a long time the go-to site for taking on grandmasters and international masters. Although it has since been overtaken in popularity by Chess.com and Lichess, it retains a community of high-level players. Membership is paid, but a free one-month trial is available.

6. FICS (Freechess.org) — the historic alternative

FICS is a long-standing online chess server, created as a free alternative to the ICC. It requires downloading a compatible interface (there’s no native web interface). A niche choice for nostalgics and purists.

7. GameKnot — correspondence chess

GameKnot specialises in correspondence chess, with more than a million members. Completely free, it offers a games database and tactical training. Ideal for those who prefer to mull over a move for several hours before playing it.

8. Red Hot Pawn — turn-based games with friends

Red Hot Pawn is a correspondence chess site with a large community. It offers tournaments, rankings and a “clan” system for team play. Basic registration is free, with premium options for advanced features.

9. SparkChess — playable without registration

SparkChess stands out for its simplicity: you can start a game directly in your browser without creating an account. It’s a handy option for a quick game of chess online without registering. The interface is beginner-friendly, with several levels of AI.

10. FlyOrDie — online chess without registration

FlyOrDie offers a minimalist experience for playing chess online for free. No need to register: choose a username and start playing against other players. The interface is basic but functional.

Playing chess against the computer: which platform should you choose?

If you’d rather train alone than take on human players, several platforms offer good-quality AI opponents:

Platform	AI engine	Levels available	Free
Lichess	Stockfish	1 to 8 (beginner to GM)	Yes
Chess.com	Proprietary	100 to 3200 Elo	Yes (limited)
SparkChess	Proprietary	3 levels (Cody, Claire, Boris)	Yes

The advantage of playing against the computer is that you can adjust the difficulty level to match your progress. It’s an excellent way to try out openings or work on your endgames without the pressure of a human opponent.

For a similar experience away from the screen, electronic chess boards offer AI opponents rated from 1200 to 2800 Elo, along with the pleasure of handling real pieces. It’s the best compromise between digital training and playing on a physical board.

Learning chess online: resources to help you improve

Playing alone isn’t enough to improve: you also need to study. Here are the best resources for learning chess online:

• ▶Lichess Learn — free interactive lessons, from how the pieces move to advanced tactics
• ▶Chess.com Lessons — hundreds of video lessons structured by level (premium)
• ▶YouTube channels — GothamChess, Blitzstream (in French), Eric Rosen for game analysis
• ▶Tactical puzzles — available on Lichess (unlimited and free) and Chess.com (limited for free users)

To round off your online learning, chess books remain an essential reference. Nothing replaces in-depth reading for mastering classical openings and strategic principles.

If you’re just starting out and looking for a set to practise with at home, our folding chess sets are practical and affordable companions for your progress.

Online or on the board: why not both?

Online play is wonderful for improving quickly: opponents available around the clock, automatic game analysis, puzzles galore. But the pleasure of moving real wooden pieces across a beautiful chess board remains a unique experience that a screen simply cannot replicate.

Many players combine both approaches: online training for technical progress, and games on the board for the enjoyment of the game and meeting fellow players at the club. It’s this very combination that makes chess so rich.

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• Complete chess setsMatching pieces and board, ready to play
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Frequently asked questions about online chess