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Lichess Review

Lichess is a free, open-source online chess server for playing and studying chess, offering game analysis, puzzles, and tournaments.

shipped Sep 3, 2026free
Domain rating84Monthly visits776K/mo
Lichess — product screenshot

Why it matters

1Lichess is 100% free and open-source, funded by donations.
2The platform utilizes the Stockfish engine (Stockfish 16+ NNUE, Stockfish 18) for game analysis.
3As of August 2026, Lichess supports 31,493 games in play and 73,295 active players.
4In December 2025, Lichess received over $80,000 USD in donations, its highest single-month record.

Specs

GitHub

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overview

What is Lichess?

Lichess is a online chess server tool developed by a non-profit organization that enables chess enthusiasts to play, study, and analyze chess. It provides a comprehensive platform for users to engage in standard chess and eight variants, utilize the Stockfish engine for game analysis, and participate in various tournaments and learning activities.

features

Key Features of Lichess

Lichess offers a robust set of features designed for playing, learning, and analyzing chess, all powered by the Stockfish engine and supported by a non-profit, open-source model.

  • Online chess server for playing standard chess and eight variants (e.g., Atomic, King of the Hill, Three-check).
  • Unlimited game analysis powered by Stockfish 16+ NNUE for board editor/analysis board and Stockfish 18 for deep server analysis.
  • Extensive puzzle types including Puzzle Themes, Puzzle Streak, Puzzle Storm, and Puzzle Racer.
  • Participation in and creation of various tournaments, such as Arena, Swiss, and Simultaneous exhibitions.
  • Comprehensive learning resources: Chess basics, Practice modules, Coordinate training, and Studies.
  • Opening explorer with a database of 6 billion games and a personal opening explorer.
  • Features for watching broadcasts, Lichess TV, and current games.
  • Community interaction through forums, teams, messaging, and friend connections.
  • Mobile applications for Android and iOS, updated in early 2024 and officially released by January 2026.

use cases

Who Should Use Lichess?

Lichess is suitable for a wide range of chess players, from beginners to advanced enthusiasts, due to its comprehensive and free offerings.

  • Beginner Chess Players: To learn chess basics, practice with modules, and improve tactical skills through puzzles.
  • Intermediate to Advanced Players: To analyze games with the Stockfish engine, study openings, participate in competitive tournaments, and engage in deep chess studies.
  • Chess Coaches and Students: To create and share studies, review games, and utilize the platform's analytical tools for instruction and learning.
  • Community-Oriented Players: To join teams, participate in forums, watch live broadcasts, and connect with other chess enthusiasts.
  • Budget-Conscious Players: To access all premium features of an online chess platform without any subscription fees or advertisements.

how to use

How to Use Lichess

Getting started with Lichess involves navigating its user-friendly interface to access various chess-related activities, from playing games to in-depth analysis.

  • 1Access Lichess via its website (lichess.org) or download the mobile application for Android or iOS.
  • 2Play anonymously or register for a free account to track ratings and access personalized features.
  • 3Initiate a game by selecting 'Play' and choosing a time control, opponent (human or Stockfish engine), and chess variant.
  • 4Utilize the 'Learn' section for chess basics, practice modules, and coordinate training.
  • 5Access 'Puzzles' to improve tactical skills through Puzzle Themes, Puzzle Streak, and Puzzle Storm.
  • 6Review past games using the 'Analysis Board' feature, which provides Stockfish engine insights and identifies mistakes.

pricing

Lichess Pricing & Plans

Lichess operates on a 100% free and open-source model, funded entirely by voluntary donations. There are no subscription tiers, advertisements, or paywalls for any features, ensuring full accessibility for all users.

  • Lichess: Free (All features included, no ads, no data tracking)

Pros

  • +Completely free and open-source, with no advertisements or paywalls for any features.
  • +Utilizes the Stockfish engine (Stockfish 16+ NNUE, Stockfish 18) for robust and unlimited game analysis.
  • +Offers a wide array of learning and training tools, including diverse puzzles and an extensive opening explorer.
  • +Supports eight chess variants in addition to standard chess, enhancing gameplay variety.
  • +Active community with various tournament formats (Arena, Swiss) and simultaneous exhibitions.
  • +Strong anti-cheating measures are implemented to maintain fair play.

Cons

  • −Some users report negative experiences with customer support, often directing inquiries to forums.
  • −Occasional complaints about cheaters, with some users feeling that bans are not always timely or transparent.
  • −The user interface has been described as 'dry and boring' by some users who prefer more visual engagement.
  • −Game review functionality, while strong, can sometimes be slow to load or perceived as 'bare bones' compared to competitors.
  • −Lichess ratings are sometimes perceived as inflated compared to over-the-board (OTB) ratings or other online platforms.

Similar Tools

Lichess vs Competitors

Lichess holds a distinct position in the online chess market, primarily differentiated by its commitment to being free and open-source, contrasting with its major competitors.

1
Chess.comOn Stork

Offers a highly polished interface, a very large community, structured interactive lessons, and celebrity streamers.

While it offers unlimited casual games for free, many advanced features like unlimited puzzles, deep game analysis, and most lessons are behind a paywall and the free tier includes ads. Lichess provides all these features for free and is ad-free.

2
Chess24↗

Known for high-quality video lessons from top chess trainers, live tournaments, and an extensive library of opening articles.

Similar to Chess.com, Chess24 offers free play but gates most of its premium educational content and advanced features behind a subscription. Lichess offers a wider range of free training tools and analysis.

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Visit Lichess↗
Connect
⌘
GitHubgithub.com/lichess-org
💬
Discorddiscord.gg/lichess