Chess as a social game.
Lobby Chess is the only chess platform with a live global lobby chat. Major platforms removed public chat years ago because "moderation was hard", and they chose scale over community. Lobby Chess makes a different choice.
This is a place to play, talk, and train. No ads. No popups. No account required.
Chess used to have global chat by default. You'd sit in a room, watch games, meet people to challenge, and interact with opponents before games start. Online chess lost that along the way.
Lobby Chess brings it back:
The lobby was the point. Ratings you can get anywhere, it's the interactions that make it fun.
Study chess by learning from the best. Carlsen Lab gives you access to Magnus Carlsen's actual games with full engine analysis and interactive training modes:
Real GM games. Real positions. No computer-generated puzzles.
Chess, conversation, and competition.
Lobby Chess is in public beta and actively evolving. Features improve based on real player feedback. If something's broken or you have ideas, I want to hear from you.
Do I need an account to play chess?
No. You can play live chess instantly without signing up. Just enter a nickname and start playing.
Can friends watch my games without creating an account?
Yes! Share your game link via text or email. Friends can watch and chat as anonymous guests in one click—no signup required.
What makes Lobby Chess different from other chess sites?
Lobby Chess has a live global lobby chat where you can talk with other players before, during, and after games. It's the social chess experience major platforms removed.
What is Carlsen Lab?
Carlsen Lab lets you study Magnus Carlsen's actual games with full Stockfish analysis, guess-the-move training, and interactive puzzles from critical positions.