How is chess different from reversi or shogi?

In chess you cannot reuse captured pieces, and each kind of piece has its own fixed movement. The big difference from shogi is that in shogi, captured pieces become pieces in hand that you can use as your own.

Yes: by stalemate, by the same position repeating three times, by the 50-move rule, or when neither side has enough pieces to checkmate. In online games you can offer a draw, and if your opponent accepts, the game is drawn.

Try raising the level one step at a time from Lv.1. Use Undo to go back and try a different move, or use a Hint to see the move the Advanced AI chose. This helps you get a feel for strong moves.

Asobi Lounge / Games / Chess

Chess rules and how to play: from special moves to AI games

Play chess, the board game played all over the world, for free. Special rules such as castling, en passant and pawn promotion are supported, so you can practice against the AI and then move on to games with friends.

Players: 2 players (1 against the AI)
Price: free
Runs in the browser (no install)

Play now

The game screen is in Japanese.

Games against the CPU and solo modes work right away without signing in. Online play (random matches and private rooms) and saving stats or leaderboard scores require signing in with a Google account. To play with a friend, your friend also needs to create an account and register as your friend.

Chess modes

Random match (ランダムマッチ): find an opponent online (10 minutes + 5 seconds per move)
Room match (ルーム対戦): play a friend using a room ID (you can choose the time control)
AI match (AI対戦): practice against a computer with four strength levels
Two players (ふたりで対戦): take turns on one device

Basic rules of Chess

You set up six kinds of pieces on an 8×8 board: king, queen, rook, bishop, knight and pawn. White moves first, then the players alternate one move at a time.
You win by putting the opponent's king in check and leaving it with no escape (checkmate).
If the player to move is not in check but has no legal move, it is stalemate and the game is a draw.
When a pawn reaches the last rank on the opponent's side, it promotes to a queen, rook, bishop or knight.
There are two special rules: castling (moving the king and a rook at the same time) and en passant (a pawn capturing an adjacent pawn that has just advanced two squares).

How to play on Asobi Lounge

Click a piece to see the squares it can move to, then click the destination or drag the piece there.
When a pawn promotes, a screen appears where you choose the new piece.
Against the AI you can use Undo (待った) and up to three Hints (ヒント) per game.
Start a room match by sharing the room ID or by sending a friend a game invite (your friend also needs to create an account and register as your friend). In online games you can offer a draw and play a rematch with colors swapped.

The four AI levels

Lv.1 Novice: plays on a whim and sometimes gives pieces away for free. For players who have just learned how the pieces move.
Lv.2 Beginner: thinks through the exchanges right in front of it. It sometimes misses things.
Lv.3 Intermediate: reads 5 moves ahead and also considers piece placement and defense.
Lv.4 Advanced: thinks for about 1 second per move and reads even deeper.

Time controls for online games

Online games use a starting amount of time plus a fixed number of seconds added each time you move. In a room match you can choose no limit, 3 minutes + 2 seconds, 5 minutes + 3 seconds, 10 minutes + 5 seconds, 15 minutes + 10 seconds, or 30 minutes. Random matches are fixed at 10 minutes + 5 seconds so that anyone can be paired with anyone. The game server keeps the clock.

Tips

In the opening, control the center (d4, d5, e4, e5) with pawns and knights, and develop your pieces instead of moving the same piece again and again.
Castle early to keep your king safe and bring your rooks into play.
Use piece values (pawn 1, knight and bishop 3, rook 5, queen 9) as a guide when deciding whether a trade is good for you.
Before each move, check two things: "Can I now capture one of my opponent's pieces?" and "Can any of my pieces be taken for free?" This alone greatly reduces oversights.

Frequently asked questions

How is chess different from reversi or shogi?: In chess you cannot reuse captured pieces, and each kind of piece has its own fixed movement. The big difference from shogi is that in shogi, captured pieces become pieces in hand that you can use as your own.
Can a game be drawn?: Yes: by stalemate, by the same position repeating three times, by the 50-move rule, or when neither side has enough pieces to checkmate. In online games you can offer a draw, and if your opponent accepts, the game is drawn.
I can't beat the AI.: Try raising the level one step at a time from Lv.1. Use Undo to go back and try a different move, or use a Hint to see the move the Advanced AI chose. This helps you get a feel for strong moves.
Is Chess free to play?: Yes, it costs nothing. Games against the CPU and solo modes work right away without signing in. Online play (random matches and private rooms) and saving stats or leaderboard scores require signing in with a Google account. To play with a friend, your friend also needs to create an account and register as your friend.