Playing Internet Chess

If you are thinking of playing Chess on the Internet then the links provided in this article should prove useful

If you would like to add to this list please contact us with full link details and a brief summary of why the site is recommended and any relevant information such as cost if any, registration process, if additional software is required, etc.

Free Internet Chess Server (FICS)

There are several reasons why this site has been added at the top of the list these include:

• There is no subscription charge the site is free.
• Several Chess Interfaces will connect to the server (Winboard, Babaschess . . .  and these are also free to download).
• Once registered, you can logon and play through any Java enabled browser - so you can login and play from the local Library.
• You can login as guest if you wish but your rating will not be saved
• It is one of the largest on-line chess servers around so you should find a game suitable to your level within minutes of connecting.
• Some very strong players connect, GMs, IMs occasionally connect.
• Regular tournaments are arranged
• Online tutorials are regular and live (actually uses the Chess Interface to run through the tutorials).
• No ’free email’ addresses are allowed to register so addresses such as yourname@hotmail.com and yourname@yahoo.co.uk will not pass for registration. If this is a problem then Wayne Prescott can setup a temporary email address such as jthomas@castellneathchess.co.uk. Just ask at the club. This has been implemented to reduce abuse of server rules  - bad language, computer abuse will be barred for life.
• FICS teaching ladder - a service where you can submit a game for review by a strong player.
• Notification when a friend or a player who you have an adjourned game with arrives.
• Lots of other features - In short all the features of other subscription based chess servers but for free.

To view more details about FICS click here »

If you intend to play Internet Chess through FICS then Babaschess is highly recommended and is available free of charge at  www.babaschess.net » 

The Internet Chess Club (ICC)

This is the real daddy of all Internet based Chess Clubs - the last time I checked their site, there were over 30,000 members worldwide, 2414 members were online which included 14 Grandmasters and 24 International Masters.

It is a subscription based server but nobody can deny that it is good value for money, the last subscription fees (correct at publication - please use link below to check the latest fees) were:

There is a free trial period of 7 days available on the web site.

In comparison with FICS (above) it can’t be denied that ICC has more GMs and IMs online. It also has more services and online resources.

To visit the Internet Chess Club website click here »