Chess

Full rules chess: castling, en passant, promotion, check and checkmate. Play the computer on three levels, a friend on this device, or anyone online with a clock.

Chess is the classic game of strategy for two players. Each side starts with sixteen pieces and the goal is to checkmate the enemy king: attack it so that it has no safe square to escape to.

Our 3D board follows the full rules, including castling, en passant, pawn promotion, stalemate, threefold repetition and the fifty-move rule. Play the computer on Easy, Medium or Hard, pass the device to a friend, or play someone online with a chess clock.

How to play Chess

Choose Solo to play the computer, Same device to play a friend, or Online to play someone else.
White moves first. Tap or click a piece to see its legal moves, then tap a highlighted square (drag and drop works too).
Put the opposing king in check so it cannot escape. That is checkmate and wins the game.
If the side to move has no legal move but is not in check, the game is a draw by stalemate.

Tips

Control the centre early with pawns and knights.
Develop your knights and bishops before moving the queen out.
Castle early to keep your king safe.
Before every move, check what your opponent is threatening.

Questions

How strong is the computer?

Easy makes beginner mistakes, Medium plays solid club-level chess, and Hard thinks for a few seconds per move and is a real challenge for experienced players.

Can I undo a move?

Yes, against the computer and on the same device. Online games cannot be undone.

Is there a time limit?

Online games can use a chess clock chosen by the host. Solo and same-device games are untimed.

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