Duif Answers Your Chess Questions:
A Guide for Fans and New Tournament Players

Our April 1997 Feature Question:

Last Updated December 2003

How Can I play Chess on the Internet?

Of course, most people know you can play chess by e-mail, by sending one move at a time. But there are also many places where you can play "real-time" chess, and actually see the pieces move as you play your opponent. Some of these games are played at "lightning" or "blitz" speed, so that the whole game is finished in a few minutes!

You have three basic choices for this kind of play: Java, Webchess, and chess servers. Of these, the chess servers are probably the most popular, because they offer the most features. Some even have lectures, lessons, and the opportunity to watch displays of important chess events (like the US Championship) and chat with other fans at the same time.

1. Use a Java Interface at a chess club that supports Java.

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Several of the free chess servers, the Internet Chess Club, and chess.net have experimental Java interfaces that let you see the moves in your browser Window if you have Netscape, Internet Explorer, or another Web browser that supports Java. This technology has improved tremendously since I first started writing about it, and now if you have NS4 or IE 4 on Windows 95, it should work quite well for you. Macintosh users still have some problems, and so do those with older browser versions.

If you'd like to try one now and your browser supports Java, my own favorite is at the Dutch free internet chess server, a FICS in Europe. You can try it by linking directly to the DICS Javachess page.

One of the most popular these days is the chess section at Yahoo. The competition there is not as strong as at the chess-only servers like chess.net, FICS, and ICC, but it's an excellent starting point. Children may also find it easier to use.

2. Play chess at one of the Websites that offers immediate update of the display.

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Caissa's Web, which charges about $20/year, has a nonJava Webchess interface. It's much more stable than the Java versions, and works for many more systems. However, it's definitely slow--it has taken me as much as two minutes to complete a single move. It's a reasonable choice, but I think the Java systems show more long-term potential.

3. Play chess at one of the chess servers like chess.net, FICS, ICC, or Playchess. These are the most popular with tournament players, because they offer the most features. You'll probably "see" a Grandmaster or two online as well. (I'm registered as Duif at most servers.)

* * * *

If you're willing to do a little more work as a one-time set-up, you can get special software that will run on your computer and give you a very reliable, full-featured "graphical interface" to connect to one of the "chess servers." Literally thousands of people play real-time chess this way on the Internet and, until the Java systems become more stable, I think it's definitely the best way to go. There are chess server interfaces for Macs, UNIX, Amiga, Windows, and Windows 95 and up, and while you need an Internet connection, you'll find the software quite easy to use. For most of the chess servers, you'll need to go through three steps:

a) Visit the server's Website to get information about the server and find out out to get the software

a) download and install chess software that works with your system

c) register as a member.

Each of the chess servers has slightly different features and slightly different software, so for further information, check the individual Websites. Here are a few to try (listed alphabetically):

chess.net, free registration, special events, and ratings, with a separate online school taught by Grandmasters which has paid services.
FICS (Free Internet Chess Server). One of the first chess servers, with an international membership. All services are free, maintained by volunteers. Some online lectures and special events.
The Internet Chess Club (www.chessclub.com), free to guests, annual membership fee covers ratings, master lectures, and other features. The first paid membership server and one of the most popular. Has very advanced features, and a cadre of volunteer helpers to answer member questions. Over 40,000 members from around the world, including many titled players. A 7 day free trial is available. Also sponsors www.chess.fm, which offers live audio analysis of some major events. (Information on their website.) The club currency is "checkels," which you buy from the club with your credit card and can then be used to pay for individual lessons.
www.playchess.com, Chessbase, a German software company that publishes chess software for both professionals and amateurs, including the popular Fritz and the children's program Chesster, offers its own chess server. Some of the software titles offer a 6 month free membership to PlayChess--otherwise the services are fee-based. Includes lectures, events, etc. You can get a 30 day free trial at their Website. This server is particularly popular with European players, so if you find the other servers quiet at a particular time of day, try here. Has one of the most modern interfaces, including a very nice multimedia service based on Windows NetMeeting that includes video interviews with top players, although it can be a bit tricky to figure out how to use it the first time. (Hint: after selecting a "room" for a broadcast, click on the "Games" tab to see what's actually available at the time you're logged in.) Like ICC has its own club "currency," here called Ducats. Perhaps it's the European influence where micropayments arae quite common (many Europeans still pay for Internet access by the minute, for example), but Ducats are much more frequently used at Playchess than the currency at many other servers--each one is worth about 12 cents US, and it's common to see players wagering on games, or to find lectures which have a 1 or 2 ducat fee.
US Chess Live, A server asociated with the Chess Hall of Fame. Fee-based. Includes lectures, events, etc.
World Chess Network, Another private fee-based chess server.
Yahoo Chess, Free online chess, this is a popular first step for many online players. Play only--no events or lectures.

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