Chess

Play as White against the computer. Click a piece to see valid moves.

Your turn (White)

About Chess

Chess is a two-player strategy board game that has captivated minds for over 1,500 years. Originating in India around the 6th century as Chaturanga, the game evolved through Persian and Arabic cultures before reaching Europe in the 15th century, where it took on the modern rules we know today. It remains one of the most studied and played games in human history, with millions of active players worldwide.

What makes chess endlessly fascinating is the staggering depth hidden beneath simple rules. Each of the six piece types moves differently, and from the opening position there are more possible game sequences than atoms in the observable universe. Whether you enjoy tactical combinations, long-term positional planning, or the psychological battle of reading your opponent, chess offers something for every type of thinker.

This browser version lets you practice against a computer opponent at any time, with no downloads or accounts required. The AI evaluates material advantage to choose its moves, providing a fair challenge for casual players while you sharpen your tactical awareness and pattern recognition.

How to Play

You play as White and move first. Click on any of your pieces to highlight its legal moves with colored dots on the board. Click a destination square to complete your move. The AI will respond as Black after a short delay.

Pawns move forward one square (or two from their starting rank) and capture diagonally
Knights move in an L-shape and can jump over other pieces
Bishops slide diagonally any number of squares
Rooks slide horizontally or vertically any number of squares
The Queen combines bishop and rook movement
The King moves one square in any direction — protect it at all costs
Castling, en passant, and pawn promotion are all supported
Pawns that reach the opposite end automatically promote to a Queen

Tips & Strategy

Control the center early — pieces on e4, d4, e5, d5 influence the most squares and give you flexibility
Develop your knights and bishops before moving the same piece twice in the opening
Castle early to get your king to safety and connect your rooks
Avoid moving your queen out too early — it can be chased around by minor pieces, wasting tempo
Look for forks, pins, and skewers — tactical patterns that win material
Trade pieces when you are ahead in material to simplify toward a winning endgame