How to play Chess

On a computer: Click a piece, then the square to move it to, or drag it.

On a phone or tablet: Tap a piece, then the square to move it to, or drag it.

About Chess

Chess is free in your browser, made by KepoGames, with all the rules: castling, en passant, promotion, check, checkmate, stalemate and every draw. You play as Kepo against nine of his friends, one for each level. Pip, at level 1, looks one move ahead and often just plays something, so a beginner can win. Grandpa Glob, at level 9, looks up to seven moves ahead and doesn't give much away. Beat a friend and they get a Beaten badge, then take on the next one. Choose 2 players to play a friend on the same device.

Pick your pieces: Kepo pieces are round heads in each side's color, and the hat says which piece it is (a crown with a cross for the king, a pearl crown for the queen, a pointed hat for the bishop, a tower for the rook and horse ears for the knight). Classic pieces are the usual Staunton shapes on a wooden board. Tap a piece to see where it can go and tap the square, or drag it. Undo takes back a move, Hint shows a good one, and a game in progress is saved so you can finish it later.

Tips

Start by moving a center pawn, then bring out your knights and bishops before moving the same piece twice.
Castle early to keep your king safe behind its pawns.
Before every move, check what the other side is threatening: is any of your pieces left unprotected?
Stuck against a tougher friend? Use Undo to try another plan, or Hint to see what a strong player would do.

Questions

Is Chess free to play?

Yes. Chess is free and runs in your browser. There are no ads: no video before you play, no breaks between levels. There’s nothing to download and you don’t need an account.

Can I play Chess on my phone?

Yes. It works on phones, tablets, laptops and Chromebooks. Tap a piece, then the square to move it to, or drag it on touch screens.

Who made Chess?

Chess was made by the KepoGames studio. Every game on KepoGames is made in-house.

Chess