How do I choose a website and create a free account?

Go to Chess.com or Lichess.org in your web browser. Click the Sign Up or Create Account button. Enter your email address and choose a username and password. Both sites are free — you do not need to enter any payment information to start playing.

How do I take a beginner lesson?

On Chess.com, look for the Learn section in the menu. Choose "Chess Basics" or "Lessons" to start an interactive lesson that teaches you how each piece moves. On Lichess, look for "Learn" at the top of the page. Completing even one lesson will help you feel much more confident before your first game.

How do I play against the computer first?

Before playing against another person, practice against the computer. On Chess.com, click Play > Computer and select the easiest difficulty (there are bot players labeled 1 through 25 — start at level 1). On Lichess, click Play > Computer and set the level to 1. This lets you practice without any pressure.

How do I start a game against a real person?

When you feel ready, click Play > Online (Chess.com) or Create a Game (Lichess). Choose a game time — 10 minutes is a good starting point for beginners. The website will automatically find another player at your skill level.

How do I move your pieces?

To move a piece, click on it to select it (it will usually highlight), then click the square where you want it to go. Legal moves are often shown as dots or highlighted squares to help you. You can also drag pieces if you prefer. Click Resign or Offer Draw if you want to end the game early.

How do I review your game afterward?

After each game, both Chess.com and Lichess offer a game review tool that shows you where you made good moves and where you could have done better. This is one of the fastest ways to improve. Look for the "Analyze" or "Review" button after the game ends.

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Chess is one of the oldest and most popular board games in the world, and today you can play it for free online against other people or against a computer. The two best websites for beginners are Chess.com and Lichess.org. Both are free to use, work on phones and computers, and have versions designed for people who have never played before.

Chess.com is the larger of the two sites and has a polished, beginner-friendly interface with built-in lessons, puzzles, and the option to play against a computer at any difficulty level. Lichess.org is completely free with no paid tiers and is popular with more serious players, but it also works well for beginners.

If you have never played chess before, do not worry — both websites offer interactive lessons that teach you the rules one piece at a time. You learn how each piece moves, what checkmate means, and basic strategies, all through short games against a computer that is set to a very low difficulty at first.

Playing online chess has several benefits beyond entertainment alone. Studies suggest that chess can help improve memory, concentration, and problem-solving skills at any age. Many people find it a relaxing and rewarding way to spend time, and you can play a quick five-minute game whenever you have a spare moment.

You can play directly in your web browser without downloading anything, or install the free app on your phone for playing on the go. Both websites also have large communities where you can find players at your level.