How to Start Playing Chess on Chess.com

Updated

You can start playing chess on Chess.com in a few minutes: open chess.com in a browser or install the Chess.com app, create a free account (or sign in), then choose an opponent — a friend, a bot, or an online match. The platform describes itself as home to over 250 million members, so matchmaking and bot play are both available as soon as you're set up.

What you need before you start

  • A device with a browser, or a phone/tablet with the Chess.com app from the App Store or Google Play.
  • An account. The site's main calls to action are "Join 250+ million players" and "Get Started," which means registration is the standard entry point for playing and tracking progress.
  • No special equipment beyond that — the board, pieces, and clock are all handled in the interface.

Step-by-step: getting to your first game

1. Open the platform

Go to chess.com, or download the app using the "Download on the App Store" / "Get it on Google Play" links on the site. The app is presented as the way to "Play Anywhere," so the experience is intended to be the same across desktop and mobile.

2. Create an account or sign in

Use the "Get Started" button to register. This is what lets you join the community, save games, and track improvement. If you already have an account, sign in instead.

3. Pick how you want to play

Chess.com offers three main paths, and you can switch between them at any time:

Option What it is Good for
Play friends Challenge someone you know Casual games, rematches, playing at a agreed pace
Play Chess Bots Opponents with "unique chess personalities ranging in skill and playstyle" Learning without rating pressure, practicing specific styles
Online matchmaking Games against other members Real competition and a rating that reflects your level

4. Improve with lessons and puzzles

Two built-in resources are aimed at players of all levels:

  • Lessons — "quick, fun lessons designed for players of all levels." Start a lesson when you want structured instruction rather than just playing.
  • Puzzles — "thousands of puzzles" for sharpening tactics. Solving a few before or after games is a low-effort way to build pattern recognition.

5. Watch and follow live chess (optional)

The site also streams major events with "real-time analysis," plus a news section covering tournaments and players. This isn't required to play, but it's a way to see how stronger players handle the same positions you'll meet.

How to verify it's working

  • After registering, you should land in a position to start a game or a lesson — the homepage's flow is built around "Get Started," "Start a Lesson," "Challenge a Bot," and "Solve a Puzzle."
  • Once you finish a game, it should appear in your account history, which is the practical sign that your account and session are set up correctly.

Common snags

  • Skipping registration: you can browse the site, but playing, saving games, and tracking progress are tied to having an account.
  • Jumping straight into matchmaking: if you're new, bots and lessons let you learn the interface and basic patterns before your rating is on the line.
  • Ignoring the app: if you play on both desktop and phone, install the app so your games and progress follow you rather than being split across devices.

The fastest route is: open the site or app → Get Started → play a bot or a friend → add a lesson or puzzle session to your routine.