Online Chess Play : Crossboard Servers
Web-based resources let you play online at any time of the day against opponents anywhere in the world. Crossboard servers are the online equivalent of playing face-to-face on a real chess board. You and your opponent are both online at the same time. Each player sees the other's moves immediately.
Where to Play Chess Online
Web-based resources let you play online at any time of the day against opponents anywhere in the world. It is no exaggeration to say that they have revolutionized chess play. Registration is required for most online play resources, but some offer limited play without registration.
Web-based resources let you play online at any time of the day against opponents anywhere in the world. It is no exaggeration to say that they have revolutionized chess play. Registration is required for most online play resources, but some offer limited play without registration.
Yahoo Chess
44% of online players Free? Yes, ID required Guests? No Java? Yes Windows client? No Initial rating: 1200 Seek? No Save game? Email (not PGN) Good starter site.
44% of online players Free? Yes, ID required Guests? No Java? Yes Windows client? No Initial rating: 1200 Seek? No Save game? Email (not PGN) Good starter site.
Pogo.com
14% of online players Free? Yes, ID required Guests? No Java? Yes Windows client? No Initial rating: 1500 Seek? No Save game? Email The best of the general game sites.
14% of online players Free? Yes, ID required Guests? No Java? Yes Windows client? No Initial rating: 1500 Seek? No Save game? Email The best of the general game sites.
Internet Chess Club (ICC)
12% of online players Free? 1 week free trial Guests? Yes Java? Yes Windows client? Yes Initial rating: Given by player Seek? Matrix Save game? File The best of the pay sites.
12% of online players Free? 1 week free trial Guests? Yes Java? Yes Windows client? Yes Initial rating: Given by player Seek? Matrix Save game? File The best of the pay sites.
MSN Game Zone
8% of online players Free? Yes Guests? Yes Java? Yes Windows client? No Initial rating: 1600 Seek? No Save game? No Limited functionality.
8% of online players Free? Yes Guests? Yes Java? Yes Windows client? No Initial rating: 1600 Seek? No Save game? No Limited functionality.
Playchess.com (ChessBase)
7% of online players Free? Full access for 30 days Guests? Yes Java? No Windows client? Yes Initial rating: Provisional Seek? List Save game? File The ICC's top competitor.
7% of online players Free? Full access for 30 days Guests? Yes Java? No Windows client? Yes Initial rating: Provisional Seek? List Save game? File The ICC's top competitor.
Instant Chess Club
3% of online players Free? First 64 games Guests? Yes Java? Yes Windows client? No Initial rating: ? Good casual play site.
3% of online players Free? First 64 games Guests? Yes Java? Yes Windows client? No Initial rating: ? Good casual play site.
Free Internet Chess Server (FICS)
3% of online players Free? Yes Guests? Yes Java? Yes Windows client? Yes Initial rating: Provisional Seek? Matrix Save game? Email Good site for hobbyists.
3% of online players Free? Yes Guests? Yes Java? Yes Windows client? Yes Initial rating: Provisional Seek? Matrix Save game? Email Good site for hobbyists.
Chess.net
1% of online players Free? 2 weeks free trial Guests? Yes Java? Yes Windows client? Yes Initial rating: Provisional Seek? List Save game? File
1% of online players Free? 2 weeks free trial Guests? Yes Java? Yes Windows client? Yes Initial rating: Provisional Seek? List Save game? File
World Chess Live (WCL)
'The ICC, the worlds premier online subscription chess service, has today announced the acquisition of two competitive online chess services, World Chess Network, from Master Games International, and Chess Live, from GamesParlor.' (May 2007)
'The ICC, the worlds premier online subscription chess service, has today announced the acquisition of two competitive online chess services, World Chess Network, from Master Games International, and Chess Live, from GamesParlor.' (May 2007)
Chesspark.com
'Welcome to an exciting new community for online chess. Play rapid games or slow ones. Chat with old friends and make new ones.'
'Welcome to an exciting new community for online chess. Play rapid games or slow ones. Chat with old friends and make new ones.'
Other Online Chess Play Sites
Here we list a few sites which we failed to look at on our first round of reviews. Most of these sites are free; some of them have play for cash programs.
Here we list a few sites which we failed to look at on our first round of reviews. Most of these sites are free; some of them have play for cash programs.