Chess Online - Play Free Chess in Your Browser

Pawn Promotion to: Player: Machine "think time" (press enter to save):

3D view2D viewBoth

View side: Motion frame rate: ms

How to Play Chess Online

  1. Check or uncheck “Against machine” to play versus the AI or a second human.
  2. Pick your color (white or black) before starting.
  3. Choose a pawn promotion piece: Queen, Rook, Bishop, or Knight.
  4. Click “New game” to set up the board.
  5. Switch between 2D view, 3D view, or both using the toolbar.
  6. Click or drag pieces to move, or use the keyboard if enabled.
  7. Use the toolbar's playback controls to step through move history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this chess game free to play?

Yes, Chess Online is completely free to play in your browser with no downloads or sign-up required.

Can I play against the computer?

Yes, enable the “Against machine” option to play against the built-in AI. You can also adjust the machine's “think time” for a stronger or faster opponent.

Can I play against a friend on the same computer?

Yes, uncheck the “Against machine” option to play a local two-player game with a friend.

Does the game support 3D chess boards?

Yes, use the toolbar buttons to switch between a 2D view, a 3D view, or both views displayed side by side.

Can I load a PGN game file?

Yes, Firefox users can load a PGN file directly, which will be read and displayed on the board for replay and analysis.

Can I control the game with a keyboard?

Yes, enable the “Enable keyboard” option in the controls panel to move pieces and navigate using your keyboard.

What piece can a pawn promote to?

You can choose Queen, Rook, Bishop, or Knight as the promotion piece from the “Pawn Promotion to” dropdown before a game starts.