Play Chess Online with a Friend — Free, No Sign-up

FlashChat Arcade has free chess you can play with a friend over a link, against the computer, or with two people on one phone. It runs in your browser with no account, no app and no ads.

Ways to play

1. Against a friend online. Send an invite link; your friend opens it and the game starts.
2. Against the computer. Easy, Medium or Hard. The engine runs on your own phone, so it works even on a slow connection once the page has loaded.
3. Two players, one phone. Pass the phone across the table.

Getting a game online

• Invite link. Tap Play people online and share the link, on WhatsApp or anywhere else. Anyone who opens it within 10 minutes takes a seat.
• FlashBuddy invite. With a FlashChat profile you can invite a FlashBuddy straight from the game. They get the invite in the app or as a notification.
• Find a player. Get matched with someone else who is looking for a game right now.
• From a chat. In a stranger chat, the + tray has a Play button that challenges the person you're talking to. The game opens over the chat, so the conversation keeps going.

Every move is checked

In an online game the server checks every move against the rules before the other player sees it, so an illegal move can’t get through. It also decides how the game ends: checkmate, stalemate, the fifty-move rule, threefold repetition and insufficient material.

Each move has a three-minute limit online; running out of time loses the game. If your connection drops, reload and you rejoin the same game, but a player who stays away for a minute loses.

Playing the computer

• Easy makes mistakes on purpose and is good for learning.
• Medium plays solid moves and varies its openings.
• Hard thinks deeper and plays its best move.

You can take moves back, ask for a hint, and come back later to a game you left: it is saved on your phone. Pieces can be dragged or tapped.

What it costs

Nothing. No account, no rating to protect, no ads. More games in the Arcade, including Ludo and Connect Four.

FAQ

How do I play chess online with a friend without signing up?

Open Chess in the FlashChat Arcade, choose to play people online, and share the invite link. Your friend opens it in their browser and the game starts. Neither of you needs an account.

Is there a time limit?

Online, each move has three minutes. Against the computer and on one phone there is no limit.

How strong is the computer?

There are three levels. Easy makes deliberate mistakes, Medium plays solid moves, and Hard searches deepest and plays its best move.

Can two people play on one phone?

Yes. Choose two players and pass the phone after each move.

Does it work on a phone?

Yes. It is built for phones first and also works on tablets and computers.