Free Online Chess

From LoveToKnow BoardGames

Websites offering free online chess can be very helpful and lots of fun whether you are a chess novice or a well-practiced player. Many sites offer online play, tournaments and education. Some sites even offer communities of chess players who are ready to play real-time chess games with players worldwide.

Advantages of Online Chess

Some chess players enjoy the poker-faced intrigue, the slapping of the chess clock and the feeling of community often experienced with face-to-face chess play. On the other hand, some chess players enjoy the added features of learning and playing chess in a virtual environment.

Educational Resources

Some online chess sites provide educational resources that will help you improve your chess game. Whether you are looking for some basic instruction or just a tip on which move to make next, an online chess site can give you the information you want, when you want it. For example:

Portability

You can practice or play chess anywhere – sitting in front of your computer screen or using your cell phone to practice your skills or catch a game. Either way, you can still enjoy all the fun and strategic play of face-to-face chess. Cell phone applications and sites like chess.com offer a wide variety of chess programs for mobile phones.

Community

Traditional chess has always been a two-person game. Even when played in a tournament setting, the tournament was composed of many two-person games.

With online chess websites, chess players can share their ideas, thoughts and strategies with other players using online forums. Whether the chess player wants to play or just talk about playing, the online chess forum becomes an excellent source for community amongst chess players.

  • Chess Maniac is a community setting where players can decide between playing with another player, playing on a chess team or participating in a chess tournament.
  • Chesshere.com brings together chess players from around the world to play chess games and tournaments. Online blog features also give players a chance to share their individual strategies and thoughts.

Types of Free Online Chess Websites

Not all chess websites offer the same features. Some chess players find a site where they are comfortable with the graphics and play most of their games on that one site. Other players frequent multiple sites, sometimes simultaneously, so that they can find the full graphic, feature and community experience that they want for their free online chess experience.

Real-time Games

In a real-time game, both players play the chess game online at the same time. Most larger sites such as Chesshere.com and Chess.com offer real-time games.

Correspondence Chess

In this form of online play, both players do not have to be online at the same time. Instead, the website notifies each player each time a chess move is played. Correspondence chess is particularly helpful when you want to play games with international players but you don't want to get up in the middle of the night to play a real-time game.

Multi-game Play

Some chess players particularly enjoy playing multiple chess games all at the same time. The player might choose to play multiple games on one website, or he or she might be logged into several websites, playing the games in real-time or by correspondence chess. Yahoo! is one of many sites offering the multi-game feature.

Fun Graphics

Some online chess websites provide players with chess pieces and graphics that do not hold the traditional look of chess pieces. Yahoo! offers avatars and YukYuk.com offers medieval chess characters which were designed by a cartoonist.

Open up the possibilities for your chess games with online chess websites. You never know what you'll learn or who'll you end up playing against.



 


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