India’s Best Online Chess Platforms - Free & Real Money Play

Since India won the chess championship, more young people are playing chess online!

Which free chess websites are best for beginners? Where are professional players most active?

Discover India’s free and real-money chess websites here! Find the perfect app for you right now!

Free Practice Platforms: Elevate Your Game

Online chess websites and apps where you can play without spending money to recharge - recommend Lichess because it doesn’t interrupt your games with annoying video ads!

Master the ultimate free chess practice platform together! Guaranteed to train you to be as fierce as a king! 🔥

#1 Chess.com－The most popular globally

Chess.com is one of the most used chess platforms around the world. With AI training tools, live commentary, and daily puzzles, it’s a perfect all-in-one site for both learning and fun.

Their exclusive ＂Puzzle Rush＂ mode lets you solve as many puzzles as possible within a time limit. It’s fast, fun, and honestly... kinda addictive!

Chess.com

The world’s largest chess platform - it’s like a chess supermarket!
It’s not only just for playing games but also offers a complete learning ecosystem.

• Pros: Various game modes, daily training puzzles, live match commentary
• Cons: Some features require payment, ads in the free version

Chess.com

During Diwali, they even release limited-edition diya-themed chess pieces!

#2 Lichess.org – Totally Free, Zero Ads

Lichess is known as the most generous chess site out there - completely free, with no ads, and packed with powerful training tools!

Perfect for those who grind chess daily without mercy.

Its ＂Puzzle Storm＂ mode is ideal for brain workouts and rapid-fire practice for serious players.

Lichess.org

A free chess paradise, with a super active Indian student community – built for those who just love pure chess.

• Pros: Multiple game modes, daily training puzzles, tournament commentary.
• Cons: Some features require payment, ads in the free version.

Lichess

Every game ends with engine analysis - it even tells you which move was ＂dumb＂. Great for improving fast!

#3 FIDE Online Arena (FOA) – Official Rating Platform

The only online platform where you can earn an official international rating, suitable for players aiming to build their chess record and enter formal competitions.

As an official platform, your performance can earn you a FIDE official online rating (FOA Rating), allowing you to obtain a formal chess player identity online.

FIDE Online Arena (FOA)

The official online platform launched by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), offering both fast and classical games in various time formats – and it gives official ratings!

• Pros: FIDE-certified ratings, suitable for building tournament experience
• Cons: Less user-friendly interface and limited community interaction

FIDE Online Arena

Offers fast and classical games in various time formats, along with regularly held official online tournaments.

#4 CircleChess – Developed in India

CircleChess offers free accounts, daily games, practice modes, and basic rating progress tracking.

It’s very suitable for beginners or players who are serious about improving.

CircleChess

A relaxed chess platform developed in India and designed specifically for local users, with support for the Hindi language.

• Pros: Free daily practice games, WhatsApp AI coaching
• Cons: Basic features, no access to custom board variations

CircleChess

#5 play.chessbase – The favorite of professional players

An advanced training tool favored by professional chess players, focusing on opening data and GM game analysis, essential for competition preparation.

The platform stands out with its "Mega Database" and Fritz training features, letting you prepare like a pro.

play.chessbase

The online chess platform under the globally renowned chess software company ChessBase, known as a hidden gem for “master-level training”!

• Pros: Rich master-level resources, many high-level opponents, easy game analysis
• Cons: Simpl

play.chessbase.com

An ultra-complete ChessBase database makes game analysis super convenient, plus live games from grandmasters where you can secretly pick up their tricks for free!

Real Money Play Platforms: Challenge & Reward

These real money chess apps aren’t just for fun - they host tournaments, quick matches, and sometimes even celebrity-led events.

Some let you start with ₹10, and top players walk away with thousands!

#1 WinZO – Quick Matchmaking

Chess is just the appetizer - WinZO is like a full-on gaming night market! This app brings together dozens of games.

While chess isn’t the main focus, it offers stable matchmaking and frequent tournaments, making it a great pick for casual players who enjoy both playing and earning.

✅ Pros

• Tons of games + chess in one app
• Quick-match cash battles
• Weekly prize pools and bonus coupons

❌ Cons

• The app leans more towards entertainment, not a professional chess environment
• face is a bit crowded, may feel distracting
• Chess does not support variant rules (like Chess960)

#2 MPL – Multiple Real Money Games

MPL is like the Netflix of mobile gaming - and chess is just one episode.

If you're already playing other games on MPL, playing a few real-money chess matches on the side isn’t a bad idea.

✅ Pros

• Trusted Indian brand, huge user base
• Quick matches, 24/7 availability
• Real-money chess matches available anytime

❌ Cons

• Game features are basic, with no replay or analysis tools
• Beginners might find the rules too simplified
• No AI practice mode available

#3 Ziffi Chess – Certified by AIGF

A dedicated real-money chess app, proudly called by Indian users as the ＂only Indian chess money-earning app,＂ officially certified by AIGF.

Reportedly, players have collectively withdrawn over ₹1 crore in prize money.
Fast-paced gameplay - each match lasts just 2 minutes, with support for Streak Mode and Battle Mode.

✅ Pros

• Join real-money matches with as little as ₹1
• Certified by AIGF, highly trusted by players
• Supports friend challenges and multiple game modes

❌ Cons

• Gameplay is not based on traditional chess rules
• Some users have reported lag issues
• Claims to be bot-free, but not officially verified

Free vs Paid – Which Should You Choose?

Whether you're here to learn chess, challenge your brain, or make money while playing - it's best to start with free platforms first.

Once you're confident, use your mind to earn your first prize! 🧠💰

• For learning: Lichess, Chess.com, CircleChess.
• For leveling up: FIDE Arena, ChessBase.
• For earning money: WinZO, MPL, Ziffi Chess.

Super Quick Match:

• Just learned how pawns move: Lichess, Chess.com, CircleChess
  → Free, beginner-friendly, comes with tutorial videos
• Want to level up and get an official rating: FIDE Online Arena
  → Official titles, globally recognized, ranking system included
• Prefer steady step-by-step learning: CircleChess
  → APP with an AI coach and a very user-friendly interface
• Want to earn while playing: WinZO, MPL, Ziffi Chess
  → Easy to start, UPI supported, instant withdrawals
• I’m a serious player looking to train: ChessBase
  → Opening databases, analysis tools – a must-have for advanced players

Top Indian Chess Players Who Started Online

India’s new generation of chess kings didn’t just sit at a board shouting ＂Checkmate＂- many of them sharpened their skills online!

They started practicing on Lichess, climbed the ratings ladder on Chess.com, and made their way to the world stage. 🌍♟️

Dommaraju Gukesh

• Platform roots: Chess.com, ChessBase India
• 🏆 2024 World Champion, only 17 years old!
• Gukesh started playing on Chess.com at age 9, later becoming one of the youngest players to reach a 2800+ rating globally.
• Frequently trains blitz reaction speed, opening memory, and game review through online matches.

R Praggnanandhaa

• Platform roots: Lichess, Chess24
• Young warrior, became a GM at 14, reached the FIDE World Cup final in 2023
• Gained fame with lightning-fast blitz, often competes in Lichess Titled Arena
• Rose from online platforms, trained fast reactions and mental toughness in Bullet mode since childhood!

Vidit Gujrathi

Vidit Gujrathi

• Platform roots: ChessBase, YouTube
• Known as the "Indian Chess King with the best game explanations"
• Gained fame with lightning-fast blitz, often competes in Lichess Titled Arena
• Rose from online platforms, trained fast reactions and mental toughness in Bullet mode since childhood!

Still thinking whether to try online platforms? Arre yaar, don’t wait – even legends start their chess journey online! ♟️🔥