Chess
International chess
Two players on an 8×8 board. Each side has sixteen pieces, and the goal is to checkmate the opposing king.
Play. Learn. Think Better.
Play Chess & Strategy Board Games Online
39 board games in one place. Play real people or AI, invite a friend, and learn each game with rules and puzzles. Free, and you can start without an account.
- Free to play
- No account needed
- 39 games
Games you can play
Each game has its own page, rules and ways to play. Pick one to learn how it works or start a match.
Xiangqi
Chinese chess
Play on a 9×10 board divided by a river. Each general stays inside its palace; use chariots, horses and cannons to win.
Go
Weiqi · Baduk
Take turns placing black and white stones on the grid. Surround territory and capture stones using Chinese area scoring.
Shogi
Japanese chess
A 9×9 board where most pieces can promote. Captured pieces change sides and can be dropped back onto the board.
Gomoku
Five in a row
Place marks on a grid and connect five to win. Choose Caro, Standard or Freestyle, each with its own winning-line rules.
All games
Plus Janggi, hidden chess and more
Explore all 39 games on ChessPlayX, from familiar classics to games for three or more players.
Open the lobbyPlay your way
Play while signed in to earn points and join the leaderboard.
Play online
Play while signed in to earn points and join the leaderboard.
Leaderboard pointsOn one device
Two players, one screen. Take turns and save your game in this browser. Load the game first for offline play.
On one deviceWith a friend
Create a private room from a game page and share the invitation link with a friend.
Leaderboard pointsStart as a guest
Try a game without signing up. Create an account when you want to keep your online progress together.
No sign-upAgainst AI
AI games earn ranking points with a lower reward coefficient than human opponents. Sign in to earn leaderboard points.
Leaderboard pointsBuilt for playing
A clean board, clear controls and a look you can make your own.
Clear, intuitive interface
See legal moves, follow the last move and find the controls beside the board.
Room to think
A calm layout keeps the board in focus, whether you are learning or deep into a match.
Board and piece themes
Explore board and piece sets in supported games, including traditional styles.
Phone, tablet and desktop
The same games on any screen size, right in your browser.
9 languages
Choose your language from the account menu. Game links stay the same when you switch.
Sound and move settings
Adjust sound, flip the board and choose how moves are displayed.
Happening now
Learn & practise
New to a game? Read the rules, then try it on the board. Already play? Sharpen your reading with puzzles and replays.
Rules for every game
Setup, piece moves, special rules and how a game ends — written for first-time players.
Read the rulesPuzzles
Work through positions with verified solutions. Choose a game, theme and difficulty to practise.
Solve a puzzleGame records
Continue a saved game or replay your moves to understand what happened on the board.
Browse game recordsPlay against AI
Explore the chess opponent ladder from beginner to master, or choose your own strength. AI games let you practise without changing your skill rating. Available difficulties vary by game.
Play vs AI- 1Beginner
- 2Amateur
- 3Intermediate
- 4Advanced
- 5Expert
- 6Challenge
Questions
Answers about playing, accounts, 3D, Live and your saved games.
What is ChessPlayX?
ChessPlayX is a place to play and learn strategy board games in your browser. Play online, challenge AI, invite a friend, follow public games and practise with puzzles.
Which games can I play?
The current collection has 39 games, including chess, Xiangqi, Go, Shogi, Janggi, Caro and multiplayer variants. Open the lobby to see every game and its available modes.
Is ChessPlayX free?
Standard 2D play, regular AI levels, rules and puzzles are free. Paid plans add 3D allowance and Premium board sets. Advanced AI and post-game analysis have separate limited trials; current paid plans do not add uses for these tools.
Do I need an account to play?
You can play as a guest or locally without signing in. Sign in for account-based online results and ratings, 3D play, and advanced AI or analysis trials. Local games remain in the browser where you played.
How do I play with a friend?
Choose the friend option on a game page, create a private room and share its invitation. You can also play together on one device using local mode.
How are standard and advanced AI different?
Standard AI levels stay free; available strengths vary by game. Advanced AI for Xiangqi and Chess uses longer thinking and deeper search in local practice. Sign in for 3 trial sessions per account; current paid plans do not replenish them.
Do AI games change my rating or leaderboard points?
AI games do not change your skill rating. Eligible online AI matches played while signed in can change competition points under separate leaderboard rules. Local games, same-device games and advanced AI practice do not award rating or leaderboard points.
Which games support 3D, and is there a free allowance?
Chess, Xiangqi, and Go support 3D. Sign in to receive 10 Free 3D plays, refilled up to that limit every 5 hours. Viewing a preview does not spend a play. Paid plans increase the allowance, while 2D stays unlimited.
What appears in Live?
Live includes public games in progress and automated replay channels. Games that do not allow spectators are excluded. Open a board to follow its moves; the number of replay channels does not cap the number of real players’ games.
Are my games saved across devices?
Open History to review your games. Online results played with an account are tied to that account. Local and local AI games are saved only in the current browser and device; clearing the site’s data can remove them, and they do not automatically sync to other devices.
Where can I learn, solve puzzles and review games?
Use Learn for rules and guides, Puzzles for supported puzzle collections, and History to replay your games. Engine analysis of completed games is available for Xiangqi and Chess, with a separate trial of 3 sessions per account. Paid 3D plans do not add analysis uses.
Do I need an app, and can I play on my phone?
No download is required: use a browser on your phone, tablet or computer. Online matches, Live and payment require an internet connection. 3D also depends on your device and browser; switch to 2D if it is unavailable.
Ready for a game?
Pick a game and make your first move. There is always something new to learn.