Chess, face to face
Get paired with a real person over live video in seconds. Say hi, agree a speed, play a rated game.
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Frequently asked questions
The short version: free, in your browser, a real opponent on camera, and a rated game.
Still stuck? [email protected]Is ChessChat app free?
Yes. ChessChat app is completely free to play, with no download and no subscription. It runs right in your browser on desktop and mobile.
Do I need a webcam?
Yes. ChessChat app is chess face to face, and the camera is how that works. If someone walks into the room you can switch it off for a moment and switch it back on, but playing with it off, or game after game without it, breaches the guidelines. The microphone is optional and has its own toggle.
Who will I play against?
Real people, matched to your skill. ChessChat app pairs you with another human looking for a game, using a Glicko-2 rating so your opponent is close to your level.
What time controls can I play?
Bullet, blitz, and rapid. After you're paired, you and your opponent agree on a speed together before the game begins.
Are the games rated?
Yes. Every game updates your Glicko-2 rating, so you can track your progress and get matched with players around your strength.
More ways to play
- Chess with video chatChessChat pairs you with a real person over live video, and then you play. No download, no plugin, no separate call to set up.Read more
- Play chess with friends onlineSend one link. Your friend opens it, the cameras connect, and you are playing. For a group, open a lobby instead.Read more
- Play chess with strangersPress play and meet somebody new on camera. No lobby to sit in, no friends to organise, and nobody you have to arrange anything with first.Read more
- Play chess with a cameraAny modern browser, the webcam you already have, and one permission prompt. There is nothing to install and no settings to work through first.Read more
