Play Chess
Play Chess is where games happen. Pick your opponent, set the clock, and play.
Game Modes
Section titled “Game Modes”Play against the computer — Choose a chess engine as your opponent and configure its strength to match your level. Good for practice, training, or just having fun against a machine that never gets tired.
Play against a friend (pass-and-play) — Two players, one computer. You and your opponent take turns at the same screen. The board flips automatically between moves so each player sees the position from their own perspective.
For online play against a friend on another computer, see Multiplayer.
Time Controls
Section titled “Time Controls”Choose from preset time controls or define your own:
| Control | Description |
|---|---|
| Classical | Long games with generous thinking time |
| Rapid | Moderate time, typically 10-30 minutes per side |
| Blitz | Fast games, usually 3-5 minutes per side |
| Bullet | Very fast, 1-2 minutes per side |
| Custom | Set your own time and increment |
| Unlimited | No clock at all — take as long as you like |
Engine Settings
Section titled “Engine Settings”When playing against the computer, you can fine-tune the engine’s behavior:
- Choose engine — Select from any engine you’ve installed (see Configure Engines)
- Strength (ELO) — Set the engine’s playing strength to a specific rating, from beginner to grandmaster level
- Search depth — Limit how many moves ahead the engine calculates
- Search time — Limit how long the engine thinks per move
These settings let you create a well-matched opponent. A full-strength Stockfish will crush most players, but dialing it down to 800 ELO gives a beginner a fair fight.
Starting Position
Section titled “Starting Position”By default, games start from the standard chess position. You can also:
- Set a custom FEN — Paste a FEN string to start from any position. Useful for practicing specific endgames or studying a particular structure.
- Chess960 (Fischer Random) — Enable Chess960 to randomize the back rank. The pieces are shuffled according to Fischer Random rules, keeping the game fresh and eliminating opening memorization.
During a Game
Section titled “During a Game”Once a game is underway, you have several options beyond making moves:
- Resign — Concede the game
- Offer draw — Propose a draw to your opponent (the engine may accept or decline based on its evaluation; a human opponent gets a prompt)
- Request takeback — Ask to undo your last move. In pass-and-play, your opponent can accept or decline. Against the engine, takebacks are always granted.