Lichess
Play chess online for free without any ads.
Free alternative to Chess.com
Screenshot from the project’s own README · tap to enlarge
Lichess is an open-source online chess server. You can play realtime matches against others, solve tactical puzzles, join tournaments, and review games using computer analysis.
✓ Good for
Anyone who wants to play or learn chess.✕ Skip it if
People who have no interest in playing chess.How to start
- Open lichess.org in your browser
- Pick a time control to start playing immediately
- Create a free account to track your ratings
Not sure how to install, or if it’s safe? Read the beginner guide
FAQ
Is Lichess free?
Yes, Lichess is completely free, open-source under the AGPL-3.0 license, and contains no ads or paywalled features.
Is Lichess safe to download?
It is open source (AGPL-3.0 license) with 18,981 GitHub stars, last updated 2026-11-14. Download only from the official link on this page, and scan the file before installing: see the safety checklist in our beginner guide.
Do I need an account to play on Lichess?
No, you can start playing anonymously right away in your browser, though creating a free account allows you to track your rating and match history.
Compiled from the project README. 18,981 GitHub stars (2026-11-13) · License AGPL-3.0 · Last update 2026-11-14