Play chess with a friend, near or far.

Choose a private online game when you have separate devices, or pass & play when you share one phone, tablet or computer. Both options are free and can be started without an account.

Create a private online game

1. Open Challenge a friend. A nickname is optional. Avoid using your full name.
2. Choose Create invitation. The room is created before its invitation is shown.
3. Share the invitation link through a private chat, read out the 10-character join code or show its QR code.
4. Your friend opens the link, optionally enters a nickname and joins. The board opens when the second player joins. The host does not have to stay online.

The first player takes white in the first round. Each player normally sees their own pieces at the bottom. Moves are checked by the server before appearing as confirmed moves on the board.

Join from an invitation

The invitation link fills in the code. You can also paste the complete invitation link or type the code into Join a friend. New unused invitations expire after seven days. A room already occupied by two players cannot accept a third player.

Play now, continue another day

There is no move clock in private friend games. Each confirmed move gives the game another 30 days before it becomes read-only after inactivity. Close the app, let your friend play later and return from My games. Your saved board is held on the server, not in an open tab.

Reconnect, finish and rematch

Reloading the same browser restores the last confirmed board. A private player key is stored on that device to recognise your place; it is not included in the invitation or linked to a public profile. Keep using that browser for the game. Clearing its storage can remove your access.

Connection messages tell you when the game is reconnecting. If a move was interrupted, refresh the confirmed position before trying again. A finished game can be reviewed or exported. A rematch starts only after your friend accepts it and swaps your colours.

Same-device two-player chess

Pass & play starts a board immediately. Take turns on one device. In Settings, you can choose to rotate the board after each move, or keep it fixed for side-by-side play. Hints and undo are off by default. Both players can explicitly choose Teaching mode to practise together with equal access to help.

Keep friend games friendly

MineChess has no open chat or public player directory. Share invitations only with someone you know. Do not share your browser storage, access tokens or private player key. Use a new invitation when you are unsure who has the old link.

When an invitation does not work

Check that the entire link or code was copied. A cancelled, expired or occupied room needs a new invitation. Online play needs an internet connection; computer play and lessons are separate. Older six-character MineChess codes use the compatibility route and do not gain the new room protections.

Report an invitation problem with your device, browser and what happened. Do not include private keys or passwords.