Is chess free to play here?

Yes. You play and learn without an account, download or ads right in your browser, and there is nothing to buy.

Can I learn chess here from scratch?

Yes. The learning path starts at zero: the board, the pieces, check and mate. Then puzzles and the computer at level 1 help you put it into practice.

Can I play against other people online?

Yes, against friends: create an invitation under “New game” and share the link, also with guests without an account. Play live with a clock or by correspondence over days. There is no matchmaking with strangers, on purpose.

How strong is the computer?

It has six levels. There is no made-up rating; instead the game shows which level you beat regularly and suggests the next one.

Is my progress saved?

Yes. Your current game, lessons, puzzle stars and results stay in this browser; with a PanicLines account they are kept in your account and available on every device.

Learn and Play Chess Online for Free

Learn and train chess for free

Chess is the best-known board game in the world: two armies of king, queen, rooks, bishops, knights and pawns, and whoever checkmates the opposing king wins. The rules are learned quickly, the game stays exciting for a lifetime.

On PanicLines it is about learning and training: a learning path from your first move to mating patterns and endgames, puzzles composed for this game, endgame drills and a computer that grows with you. And when you want a human opponent, just send a friend a link. All free in your browser on phone, tablet and computer, with no download, no ads and no sign-up.

The rules in short

White starts, then you take turns. Every piece moves differently: the rook straight, the bishop diagonally, the queen both, the knight in an “L”, the king one square, the pawn forward, capturing diagonally.
Special moves are castling, capturing en passant and the promotion of a pawn on the last rank.
Whoever checkmates the opposing king wins. Stalemate, dead positions, agreement, threefold repetition and the 50-move rule lead to a draw – exactly as in the FIDE Laws.
The game explains moves that are not allowed, for example “your king would be in check” or “castling not allowed: the king would cross an attacked square”.

Learning: lessons, puzzles, endgames, review

20 lessons lead from the board and notation through every piece, castling and en passant to forks, pins, skewers, mating patterns, opening principles and endgames – each with exercises and instant feedback.
Puzzles at four levels (beginner to strong), all composed for this game: mate puzzles are proven by a mate solver, winning puzzles checked by the engine.
Endgame drills against the computer: mate with queen, rook or two rooks, king and pawn, Lucena and Philidor. Our own endgame tables tell at once when a move throws the win away.
After every game the review shows the three to five most important mistakes with a better move; you can save a mistake as your own exercise.

Game modes and computer levels

Against the computer at six levels: levels 1 and 2 can be beaten by children and real beginners, from level 3 it plays an opening book, level 6 is a serious opponent. It always calculates the same way – no cheating.
Two players, one device: take turns on the same phone or tablet, the board can turn with you.
Challenge a friend: create a link and send it – your opponent needs no account. Play live with a clock (5, 10 or 15 minutes plus increment) or by correspondence without a clock, each moving when they have time. Offer a draw, resign, ask for a rematch and review the game afterwards.
The analysis board loads positions as FEN, sets them up and evaluates them; games can be copied as PGN.
Aids for beginners: hint, warnings about hanging pieces and mate, legal targets and the last move – each one adjustable.

Tips for beginners

Centre: occupy the middle with pawns and pieces, there they control the most squares.
Develop: bring out knights and bishops first, do not move the same piece twice without a reason.
King safety: castle early so your king stands safely behind its pawns.
Before every move: what does my opponent threaten? Which piece hangs? Is there a check, a capture or a threat for me?

Frequently asked questions

Is chess free to play here?: Yes. You play and learn without an account, download or ads right in your browser, and there is nothing to buy.
Can I learn chess here from scratch?: Yes. The learning path starts at zero: the board, the pieces, check and mate. Then puzzles and the computer at level 1 help you put it into practice.
Can I play against other people online?: Yes, against friends: create an invitation under “New game” and share the link, also with guests without an account. Play live with a clock or by correspondence over days. There is no matchmaking with strangers, on purpose.
How strong is the computer?: It has six levels. There is no made-up rating; instead the game shows which level you beat regularly and suggests the next one.
Is my progress saved?: Yes. Your current game, lessons, puzzle stars and results stay in this browser; with a PanicLines account they are kept in your account and available on every device.