How to Learn Chess Online: List of Best Websites and Apps

Gone are the days when one couldn’t learn a skill because they had no education on it. Fortunately, it’s the era of the internet and you can learn anything you want.

Have you ever wondered how to be better at chess and stopped without an answer?

Well, this time it’s going to be different because I will tell you best way to learn chess online on your phones and laptops.

So, without any delay, let’s dive into online chess.

How To Learn Chess Online

Best Way to Learn Chess on the Web

List of best sites to learn chess:

1. Chess.com

If you’re thinking about online chess, you can’t ignore Chess.com. It’s primary and it’s one of the most efficient websites to learn chess.

You can play with another player on chess.com without downloading anything or paying a penny.

If you feel you aren’t ready enough to face a human opponent, they also provide options to computer chess games. You can fight the computer opponent and prepare yourself to play against human minds.

In addition to that, you can join tournaments and live matches whenever you want. There are also leaderboards, chess puzzles, video lessons, and chess clubs for you.

Another unique feature on the website is “chess today” where you can get A to Z news about the chess world.

On top of that, if you click on the “Master Games” option, you can study the matches played by legends and grandmasters like Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov, and Magnus Carlsen. 

In short, chess.com is a complete chess world in itself. If you want to learn chess on the web through a tab/laptop/desktop without paying any money, chess.com should be your first choice.

2. Chessable

Although Chessable.com is relatively smaller and newer in comparison to chess.com, it comes with its own perks.

It aims to teach rather than provide a platform to play with other players.

If you want to learn opening, middlegame, and endgame strategies, you must check out chessable. In the case of learning new lines, I think it’s the best.

Moreover, you also get to practice the chess strategies you learnt with the computer.

Through chessable, you also get access to various chess books.

Although the subscriptions for video lessons are costlier than other websites, they are worth every penny. After all, the coaches are grandmasters like Judith Polgar, Anish Giri, and Sam Shankland.

 

3. Lichess

In terms of features and options, lichess.org is similar to chess.com. In fact, it is almost the same except it’s completely free.

It was developed by volunteers and now, it runs on donations by chess enthusiasts.

If you’re tight on the budget side, lichess.org is the best option for you. You get the access to learn chess and practice with other players with absolutely no charge.

In other words, it’s best to learn the basics of chess.

It offers “play” options for arena tournaments, Swiss tournaments, and other exhibitions. Besides playing chess, you can also try solving chess puzzles.

Lichess.org also brings recent international grandmasters to offer hourly basis tutorials.

Even though these classes are something that new players dream of, in reality, these are unaffordable for beginners.

However, you can still learn a lot from lichess.org by clicking on the “learn” option on their website.

4. ICC

The internet chess club/community is an online chess website for chess players to practice and learn the game.

It’s one of the few platforms where you will find highly ranking chess players practicing chess. You will also find grandmasters amongst the contributors who share their experiences and suggestions through blogs and videos.

Although it sounds fantastic, I don’t recommend ICC for beginners. Firstly, because ICC is a paid platform with no free tier. Secondly, because the skill level of the games are comparatively higher than beginners.

However, if you still want to check where you stand against professional chess players, then, you should definitely check out ICC.

5. Listudy

I recommend Listudy because it’s beginner friendly and free.

If you’re struggling with remembering strategies, then, this website is for you. It uses the spaced repetition method for improving memory recall.

Listudy.org provides a computer program to practice strategies like, Queen’s Gambit, Scandinavian defense repeatedly at set intervals. So that, over the course of time, the chess moves of these lines set in your memory forever.

On top of that, it features a database of tactics for beginners to test themselves.

Best Way to Learn Chess Online Through Apps

1. Chess.com

Chess.com app is the app version of the web with the same name. It’s available on playstore and Apple app store.

In terms of features and options, it’s the same with the app. Also, you can change themes for the chessboard and the pieces.

It’s got a 4.5 rating on the play store. Although it lags every once in a while, most chess players prefer this app for it’s features and convenience.

There’s another app from chess.com called Learn chess with Dr. Wolf. You can check that out as well. It has a 4.6 rating from its users, who think the free lessons are helpful and suitable for beginners.

2. Lichess

As you can guess it already, lichess is the app version of lichess.org. It has the exactly similar options to the website.

Unlike chess.com, you can’t change the theme and it’s got a 4.4 rating.

Overall, most reviewers find this app useful and helpful to improve their chess skills.

3. Aimchess

Aimchess is a new app, supported in both android and iOS, intended to help push beginners towards improvement. It makes you go through a few lessons and tactics every day and earn credits for it.

It’s designed like a game with free classes as rewards that you can buy with credits.

Aimchess works with Chess.com or Lichess analyzing your moves and patterns through AI. Furthermore, it provides a detailed analysis of your strengths and weaknesses from your past games, so that you can improve accordingly.

It features both free and paid versions. If you want to learn chess without any instructor, this is a good option for you.

4. Magnus Trainer

The unique factor of this app is that the games and lessons in Magnus Trainers are based on the chess games played by Magnus Carlsen and other legends like him.

The app claims to provide games created by the master Magnus Carlsen himself and his team of experienced Grand Masters

It comes with a premium subscription, which I think is a big NO No for beginners and novice players. However, if you’re experienced enough to understand and play Carlsen’s standard chess games, you must try this app.

It has a 4.1 rating on playstore.

How to Learn Chess Through Online Courses?

1:1 Live Courses on EnthuZiastic

When it comes to learning chess online, one of the best options is to learn through one-on-one chess classes. Unlike websites, apps, and video courses, you get the guidance of an instructor.

The tutor/coach can not only point out your weakness but also help you to understand the best way to improve.

For instance, an AI can suggest you Queen’s Gambit Declined to fight against Queen’s Gambit. But an instructor will know which Queen’s Gambit Declined strategy will suit your playing style.

Again, unlike an AI, a tutor will explain during your chess lessons how a strategy can lead to checkmate.

Why Should You Join EnthuZiastic Chess Course?

We prepare you for platforms like ICC and Listudy. We train chess players of all levels and groom them for advance training.

So, if you’re thinking about taking up chess classes with gm, first, you should train yourself in EnthuZiastic.

We teach chess from step 1. Be it learning the moves of the pieces or variations of openings, we will train you in the fundamentals of chess.

We assess the new player and prepare customized, tailor-made chess curriculum for the participant.

At EnthuZiastic, we also understand the financial constraints of a beginner. Therefore, we provide affordable, short courses covering every aspect of chess.

Previously Recorded Video Courses

Apart from live chess classes, previously recorded video courses are also commonly opted by beginner chess players. Platforms like chess.com, lichess.org, Udemy, YouTube, Chessacademy, Chesskids, etc. provide such courses.

FAQs

How can I learn chess by myself?

You can learn chess by watching popular chess games, joining chess-clubs, and practicing with experienced and similar-level players. You should also read chess books to teach yourself the strategies and tactics. I suggest practicing chess puzzles as well for self-learning beginners.

How long will it take to learn chess?

It takes around 3 to 4 months to learn about the pieces, rules, and common tactics, such as castling, promotion, and En Passant. It will take another 3 months to learn the opening, middlegame, and endgame strategies. And it takes unmeasurable time and dedication to master chess.

Which is the best website to learn chess completely free?

Chess.com and Lichess.org are amongst the best chess websites to learn chess completely free.

Which is the best site for playing chess online and improving your skills?

Chess.com, ICC, Chessable, Lichess.org, and Listudy are the best sites for playing chess and improving skills online.

Conclusion

To sum up, there are several ways to learn chess online for beginners. You can learn from the websites, the apps, or through chess lessons.

Even though, as a new player, free ways of learning chess seems tempting, I suggest you hire an instructor.

A chess coach will not only show you the right direction but also provide you the right tips and tricks.

All the best for your chess learning journey.

Please let me know in the comments section how you found the above-mentioned sites and apps.