Chess
Preparing your game…
Preparing a local board…
Progress stays in this browser.
Tap controls, or use Tab and Enter. Arrow keys move between available grid squares; Escape clears selection. Scroll inside wide boards or increase zoom for larger targets. Local pass-and-play shares this screen.
How to use Chess
Play chess against the computer at three levels, or with a friend on one device.
- Read the exact rules below and choose computer, local or online play. Changes to board size, starting player or seed count apply to New game; online rooms use the owner’s settings.
- Use enabled board controls and turn actions. Tab and Enter work; arrows move between enabled grid squares.
- Undo for practice, pause the computer, or return directly to this route to restore your board.
Questions
Which Chess rules are used?
Standard chess under FIDE rules: castling, en passant and promotion (you choose the piece), check, checkmate and stalemate. Draws by the fifty-move rule, threefold repetition and insufficient material are detected automatically. Against the computer you play White; local pass-and-play alternates White and Black on one screen. Moves are listed in standard algebraic notation. The computer is an original alpha-beta search, not a licensed engine.
How does computer play work?
Opponents run only in a bounded local Web Worker. Checkers, Reversi, Four in a Row and Mancala use limited search; other games use simple legal heuristics or dice. Difficulty adjusts search depth where applicable, not dice odds. These are practice opponents, not expert play.
Can I play on a phone?
Yes. Tap enabled squares, tokens or turn actions. Wide boards scroll inside their play area; zoom enlarges small targets, and full screen has a visible exit. Player numbers and symbols accompany colors.
Will my game restore automatically?
Returning to this game restores its own validated browser-local board and recent undo history when storage is available. Normal games never open automatically from the homepage. Restart and New game ask before replacing unfinished progress. Clearing site data removes saves.
Is my board sent to a server?
Computer and local multiplayer run on your device. Online multiplayer sends legal actions and chat directly between WebRTC peers. The server handles discovery and initial connection signals only. Private game data stays on its owner’s browser; public snapshots and commitments replicate to peers. No account is required.
Which player modes are available?
Choose Computer or Local Multiplayer or Online Multiplayer. Online rooms support invitation codes, public discovery and peer chat. Invite opens a short connection window; reopen it for new arrivals or a reloaded tab. Restricted networks may not connect without a relay.