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Chess – play the computer at three levels, or a friend

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Quick answer

Chess is a free two-player strategy board game that plays instantly in your browser on phones, tablets and computers, with no download, sign-up or ads. Checkmate the opposing king: attack it so it has no legal escape.

Chess at a glance
What it isTwo-player strategy board game
GoalCheckmate the opposing king: attack it so it has no legal escape
ModesAgainst the computer (Beginner, Club, Tactician: minimax search with alpha-beta pruning and piece-square tables) or 2 players on one device; play White or Black
ControlsTap or click a piece, then a highlighted square; arrow keys and Enter; undo
Players1 against the computer, or 2 on one device
PriceFree, no ads, no sign-up, no download
Works onPhones, tablets and computers, in any modern browser

Strategy guide: Chess Opening Principles for Beginners: 10 Rules

Strategy guide: Chess Special Moves: Castling, En Passant and Promotion

Board games compared

Board games compared
GameTypeModesControls
ChessTwo-player strategy board gameAgainst the computer (Beginner, Club, Tactician: minimax search with alpha-beta pruning and piece-square tables) or 2 players on one device; play White or BlackTap or click a piece, then a highlighted square; arrow keys and Enter; undo
CheckersTwo-player diagonal capture board game (draughts)American rules on 8×8: compulsory jumps, multi-jump chains, kings that move both ways; Easy, Medium and Hard computer or 2 playersTap a piece, then each landing square; arrow keys and Enter; undo
DominoesTile-matching game with a double-six setDraw game or Block game; against 1, 2 or 3 computer playersTap a glowing tile to play it; ◀ or ▶ when it fits both ends; Draw and Pass buttons
BackgammonTwo-player race board game with diceAgainst the computer (Easy, Medium, Hard with a one-roll lookahead) or 2 players; gammons and backgammons count double and tripleRoll, tap a checker, then a highlighted point; undo moves until you press Done
Tic Tac ToeTwo-player line-up game (noughts and crosses; Five in a Row / Gomoku)3×3 against Easy, Medium or Unbeatable (full minimax) or 2 players; 15×15 Five in a Row against Easy or HardTap a square; arrow keys and Enter; keys 1-9 on 3×3
Four in a RowTwo-player vertical strategy board gameAgainst the computer (Easy, Medium, Hard with a minimax search) or 2 players on one deviceTap or click a column, or press 1-7; arrow keys and Enter; undo

The classic game of strategy

Chess is played on an 8 × 8 board between White and Black, each with sixteen pieces. White moves first. The goal is checkmate: attack the enemy king so it has no safe square. This version knows every rule, shows the legal moves of the piece you pick, and highlights the last move and any check.

Strategy for every game

  • Control the centre. Pawns and pieces on the four middle squares reach the most of the board.
  • Develop quickly. Bring out knights and bishops before moving the same piece twice, and castle early to keep your king safe.
  • Count before you capture. Check who attacks and defends a square; a pawn is worth 1, a knight or bishop 3, a rook 5 and the queen 9.
  • Look for checks, captures and threats. Before every move, ask what your opponent’s last move attacks, and what your best forcing move is.
  • In the endgame, use your king. With few pieces left, the king becomes a strong attacker; push passed pawns towards promotion.

Three computer levels

Start with Beginner to learn the moves, then step up to Club for a fair game. Tactician thinks several moves ahead and sees tactics such as forks and pins, so every piece needs a defender.

How to play Chess

  1. 1

    Move a piece

    Tap or click one of your pieces to see its legal moves as dots, then tap the square you want. With a keyboard, move with the arrows and press Enter twice.

  2. 2

    Know how pieces move

    Pawns go forward and capture diagonally; knights jump in an L; bishops slide diagonally, rooks straight, and the queen both ways. The king moves one square.

  3. 3

    Use the special moves

    Castle by moving your king two squares towards a rook. Capture en passant right after a pawn's double step. A pawn on the last rank promotes to any piece.

  4. 4

    Checkmate the king

    Attack the enemy king so it cannot escape. Stalemate, threefold repetition, the fifty-move rule and bare kings are draws.

More board games

  • Checkers

    Classic 8×8 checkers with forced jumps and kings, against three computer levels or a friend.

  • Dominoes

    Match the open ends with a double-six set. Draw or Block game, two to four players, first to 100.

  • Four in a Row

    Drop discs and line up four before your opponent. Three computer levels or two players.

  • Backgammon

    Race all fifteen checkers home and bear them off first. Three computer levels or a friend.

  • Tic Tac Toe

    Classic 3×3 noughts and crosses with an unbeatable computer, plus Five in a Row on 15×15.

Frequently asked questions

How strong is the computer?

Beginner looks one move ahead and often makes mistakes. Club searches about three moves deep and plays solid, sensible chess. Tactician searches up to six moves ahead with captures checked to the end, and punishes loose pieces.

Are all the rules included?

Yes. Castling (not through or out of check), en passant, promotion to queen, rook, bishop or knight, check, checkmate, stalemate, threefold repetition, the fifty-move rule and draws with too little material.

Can I play as Black?

Yes. Press Play Black and the board turns so your pieces are at the bottom; the computer opens as White.

Can two people play on one device?

Choose 2 players and take turns on the same board. The board stays with White at the bottom.

Can I take back a move?

Yes. Undo takes back your last move and the computer's reply, as many times as you like.

Is my record saved?

Your wins, losses and draws against each computer level are kept in your browser on this device.

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