VIEN

Play chess against the computer — free, no sign-up

ComputerEasy
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You

Learn chess

Chess RulesHow every piece moves, castling, en passant, promotion, checkmate and every way a game can be drawn. BeginnersFrom zero to your first real game: what to learn first and how to improve in your first month. OpeningsOpening principles and the most common openings, explained by ideas rather than memorised lines. TacticsPins, forks, skewers, discovered attacks and sacrifices: how to spot them and how to set them up. StrategyPlanning when there is no tactic: pawn structure, strong squares, good and bad pieces, king safety. EndgamesThe core endgame positions every player needs, from basic mates to king-and-pawn endings. Game ReviewHow to review the game you just played, find the real mistakes and turn them into training. Time ControlBullet, blitz, rapid and classical: choosing a format, managing the clock, not losing on time. Online ChessRatings, matchmaking, fair play, playing friends and what to know before playing chess online. ImprovementTraining plans that work, how much to study versus play, and how to break out of a plateau.

Latest articles

Weak Squares and Outposts: Where to Put Your Knight So It Can Never Be Chased Away Chess Time Management: How to Stop Losing Won Games on the Clock Stalemate vs Checkmate: The One Rule That Turns Wins Into Draws Online Chess Ratings Explained: Elo, Glicko and Why Your Number Differs Between Sites The London System: A Low-Theory Opening for White Explained Move by Move How to Checkmate With a King and Rook: The Box Method in Four Steps

Quick answers

Do I need an account to play?

No. Open the page and move a piece — the game starts. Your unfinished game is kept on this device, so you can close the tab and come back to it.

How strong is the computer?

There are five levels. Beginner and Easy are built to play like people who are still learning: they pick reasonable moves most of the time and sometimes miss things. Master is the full Stockfish engine and is far stronger than any human.

What does "See why you lost" do?

After the game, the engine goes through every move and marks the ones that cost you the most, then shows the better move on the board with an arrow. Most games are decided by two or three moments — that is what it finds.

Does it work on a phone?

Yes. The board fills the width of the screen, you can drag pieces or tap a piece then tap a square, and you can add the site to your home screen like an app.

Can two people play on one device?

Yes — choose "2 players". White and Black take turns on the same board.