FAQ
Do I need an account?
No. Enter a nickname and start playing — no sign-up.
How do I invite a friend?
Create a game and copy the invite link from the lobby. Your friend opens the link and joins.
What are open games?
Public rooms listed on Open Games. Anyone can join without a room code or password.
Can I play against a computer?
Yes. Use Play Bot and choose Easy, Medium, or Hard.
Can others watch?
Yes. Share the separate spectator link (up to 10 viewers by default).
Does it work on mobile? Is Chinese supported?
Yes — the site works on desktop and mobile, with English and Simplified Chinese.
Why use OnlineChessLive instead of large chess sites?
Large chess sites are excellent for rated play and accounts. OnlineChessLive is optimized for instant friend games: no sign-up, share a link, optional room password, open tables, or a bot — with less social and ratings noise.
Are games fair? Who controls the clock?
Yes. The server validates every move and owns the clocks. Clients only display state. Disconnects pause your clock with a grace period before forfeit; reconnecting with your session restores your seat.
Is OnlineChessLive private and safe?
You only need a nickname — no account email. Passwords are hashed, there is no free-text chat (preset phrases only), rooms expire, invite links are not indexed as public pages, and room creation is rate-limited. See Privacy and Terms for details.