Checkmate: How to play chess online with friends

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An ancient war game, chess has stood the test of time thanks to its deep strategic elements that allow for creative play. Even if you’re not a master tactician, you can learn the game by watching chess players give advice.(Opens in a new window) Let the self-confident people loose their money in city parks, the many Bobby Fischer movies, or the recently popular Netflix The Queen’s Gambit.

The thinker’s game has evolved over the years, moving from traditional analog chess to computerized chess. In fact, the latter has been around for so long that you’ll find John Carpenter playing Kurt Russell in the version. The Thing. However, today’s chess allows you to use wireless technology and netplay to invite friends (and strangers) from around the world.

If you want to know how to get into 21st century chess, read on to learn about apps and boards that allow you to battle other enthusiasts remotely.

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If you’re learning chess or returning to the game after a long hiatus, Chess.com should be your first stop. The free, ad-supported service (accessible via web browser or mobile app) features more than 60 million players worldwide, so you’ll always find a match. In addition, you can learn from many tutorials, fight against the CPU, solve tactical challenges, watch streaming matches and check your statistics and global ranking. Chess.com’s three premium services ($4.99 per month or $28.99 per year) include an ad-free experience, 67 AI opponents, gameplay analysis, video lessons created by chess experts, and the ability to play multiple games simultaneously.

Chess has been a part of video games since the early days of the industry, but few titles have given the classic strategy game as much importance as Chess Ultra. Developed by Rispstone, Chess Ultra is packed with goodness, including tutorials, 10 grandmaster-approved CPU levels, online play (Classic, Blitz and Marathon style content), Elo rating system, Twitch integration, classic match replays. , and VR compatibility with Oculus Rift and HTC Vive. On top of that, Chess Ultra is simply gorgeous, with beautifully rendered 4K boards, pieces and environments that give the game a cozy feel. It is available for PC and console.

Measuring 0.78 x 21.25 x 21.25 inches, DGT’s flagship, sensor-loaded chessboard combines premium, wood construction (either Rosewood or Walnut) with high-tech guts. The included Fritz software allows you to play games against human opponents via playchess.com, practice and import Portable Game Notation (PGN) files of previously played matches for reading at your convenience. Connect the tournament-ready board to your computer via Bluetooth to have the AI detect your moves and announce counter moves. In addition, you can download the free LiveChess Cloud beta software to watch live matches from your computer.

Square Off makes many chess sets, but its flagship model—the 11.9-pound Great King—exemplifies how modern technology has affected the game. Measuring 1.9 x 23.7 x 19.0 inches and featuring a premium Rosewood finish, the Grand Kingdom Set uses Bluetooth to connect to the Square Off mobile app to play online opponents via Chess.com. But the magic is in the automated chess pieces. When you’re playing AI or remote humans, opposing pieces on your board will attack and defend based on their input. Customizable AI and the ability to stream matches complete this excellent chess package.

If you want a wireless, tournament-ready chess board, this is your kit. The 0.7 x 20.4 x 18.0-inch Square Off Pro features adaptive AI, interactive lights that guide you through moves and mistakes, magnetic board sensors that detect piece placement (no need to press squares!), and a rolling design for easy portability. You can connect Square Off Pro to the Square Off app via Bluetooth to analyze your game or challenge people via Chess.com or Lichess. It weighs 2.2 pounds and has a battery life of about five hours — perfect for playing chess anywhere.

Why should you play on PC?