How to Play
On this site
- Open Create Game, enter a nickname, and choose a time control (and color if you like).
- Optionally set a room password, or check Open to anyone to list the room publicly.
- Copy the invite link from the lobby and send it to your friend (or share the spectator link).
- When both players are seated, make moves by dragging pieces — or tap to move on mobile.
- Use resign or offer draw from the side panel; clocks run on the server.
Ways to play
Private invite: create a room and share the link only with your friend. Open Games: list a public table so anyone can sit down. Play Bot: start instantly against Easy, Medium, or Hard computer opponents with the same clocks and board. Spectators join via a separate watch link so watching never takes a player seat.
Chess rules
OnlineChessLive follows standard FIDE chess rules. White moves first. Checkmate wins; stalemate, threefold repetition, and the fifty-move rule are draws. Castling, en passant, and pawn promotion (queen, rook, bishop, or knight) are fully supported.
A move is legal only if it does not leave your own king in check. When your king is attacked, you must escape check. Clocks count down only on your turn; if your time reaches zero, you lose on time (unless the position is already a draw by rule).
Fair play on OnlineChessLive
Every move is validated on the server with chess.js. Remaining time is owned by the server, not the browser, so clients cannot cheat the clock. If you disconnect, your clock can pause within a limited grace budget; after that budget is used up, time keeps running. Reconnecting with your session token restores your seat when possible.
Tips for a smooth game
- Use a room password whenever the invite link might leak beyond your intended opponent.
- Share the spectator link separately if friends want to watch without joining as a player.
- Pick a time control both players can finish — blitz for quick games, longer bases for thoughtful play.
- If you refresh mid-game, wait for reconnection; do not open the same seat in multiple tabs.