Master Chess Multiplayer

Master Chess Multiplayer is standard chess on a clean wooden board. It is a good choice when two people want to play a real game of chess on one computer or tablet without signing up anywhere.

The title screen has two buttons: the screen icon starts a game on this device, the globe is the online mode. On this device you then choose player vs player or player vs computer. The computer has three difficulty levels, shown as one, two and three stars.

We played the two-player mode. White sits at the bottom and Black at the top, with letters A to H and numbers 1 to 8 printed around the edge, which makes it easy to talk about moves. The board does not turn around after each move, so the Black player reads it upside down, just as when you sit across a real board.

When you click a piece, the squares it can legally move to light up. Click one of them and the piece moves. That makes it a friendly board for beginners, because you can see where each piece is allowed to go.

Each player also has a clock that counts up and a star score that starts at 5,000 and ticks down while that player is thinking. The game doesn't explain what the score is for, but it is a fun way to see who is taking longer.

How to play

Press the button with the screen icon, then choose player vs player.
White moves first. Click a piece to see its legal moves, then click the square you want.
Take turns. Black plays from the top of the board.
Win by checkmating the other king.

Tips for beginners

Use the highlights. If a square doesn't light up, the move isn't allowed. That is a quick way to learn how each piece moves.
Control the centre. Moving the pawns in front of your king and queen early gives your other pieces room to come out.
Castle early. Get your king to a corner, behind a wall of pawns, before you start attacking.
Want to practise alone? Play the computer at one star, then work up to three.

More classic board games for two: 2 player checkers, Connect 4 two player and dominoes 2 player.

Frequently asked questions

Can two people play chess on the same computer?

Yes. Choose the screen icon, then player vs player. You take turns clicking on the same board.

Does the board flip for the black player?

No. White always plays from the bottom and Black from the top, like two people sitting across a real board.

Can I play against the computer?

Yes. Choose player vs computer and pick one, two or three stars for the difficulty.

Does it show legal moves?

Yes. When you click a piece, the squares it can move to light up.

Is it free?

Yes. It runs in your browser with no download and no account.