Chess takes an afternoon to learn and a lifetime to master. On this page you can play a complete game against a computer opponent without leaving your browser: you control the white pieces, decide how sharp the opponent should be, and play by the standard rules, castling and en passant included. There is nothing to install, and the board fits phone screens as well as laptops.
Jump to: Play · How to play · Levels · Chess basics · Tips · FAQ
Play Free Online Chess Against the Computer
Quick Facts
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Game | Master Chess, you against the computer |
| Cost | Free, no account needed |
| Levels | Easy, Medium, Master |
| Devices | Phones, tablets and desktop browsers |
How to Play Chess Online
- Pick Easy, Medium or Master with the buttons above the board.
- Touch a white piece. Small dots mark the squares it can reach, and a red ring around an enemy piece means you can capture it.
- Touch a highlighted square to make the move, then wait a moment while the computer answers as Black.
- Regret a move? Undo rewinds your last move and the computer's reply.
- New Game puts all the pieces back at the start.
The Three Difficulty Levels
| Level | What the computer does | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Easy | Thinks one move ahead and adds a little chance, so it slips up now and then. | Beginners and children |
| Medium | Thinks two moves ahead and seldom hands over pieces for nothing. | Casual players |
| Master | Thinks three moves ahead and follows capture sequences, so loose pieces get punished. | Experienced players |
Chess Basics: How Each Piece Moves
If you are new to the game, this short refresher covers everything you need for your first match.
- King: steps one square in any direction. Once per game it can castle with a rook, provided neither piece has moved and the squares between them are empty and not under attack.
- Queen: slides any distance in a straight line or along a diagonal.
- Rook: slides any distance along a row or a column.
- Bishop: slides any distance diagonally, so it stays on squares of one colour all game.
- Knight: jumps in an L shape, two squares in one direction and one to the side, and can hop over other pieces.
- Pawn: advances one square (or two on its first move) and captures one square diagonally forward.
A game is won by checkmate: the enemy king is under attack and every escape is blocked. If the player to move has no legal move but is not in check, the result is a stalemate, which counts as a draw.
What the Game Supports
- Every piece move, castling on both sides, and en passant captures.
- Check, checkmate and stalemate detection.
- The last move is tinted, and your king glows red when it is in check.
- Undo and New Game buttons.
- Automatic promotion to a queen when a pawn reaches the far rank.
A Plan for Beating the Computer
- Before each move, ask two questions: what is the computer threatening, and what does my move leave undefended?
- Open with a centre pawn, bring out your knights and bishops, then castle so your king is tucked away.
- Resist early queen raids. A queen that wanders out alone is easy to chase and costs you time.
- When you are ahead in material, trade pieces. Fewer pieces leave the computer fewer chances to set traps.
- Use Undo as a study tool: after a blunder, rewind and look for what you missed before trying again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this chess game free?
Yes. It costs nothing, and there is no account to create and nothing to download.
Can I choose to play Black?
Not yet. You always command the white pieces and make the first move.
Are the rules the real ones?
Yes. Castling, en passant, check, checkmate and stalemate are all supported. The one simplification is that a pawn reaching the last rank always becomes a queen.
Will it run on my phone?
Yes. The board scales to your screen and every move is made by tapping.
Enjoyed a game? Send the link to a friend and see who wins more often against the computer.