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What is correspondence chess?

Correspondence chess is chess played one move at a time, over days, instead of in one sitting. Players used to mail moves to each other. That was postal chess. Email took the place of the envelope: you still wait, then you send the next move when you are ready.

How correspondence chess works

• One player moves, then the other hears about it and answers later.
• You do not have to sit through the whole game at once.
• A turn notice tells you when the board is waiting.

How LinkChess does it

LinkChess is free correspondence chess by email link. You play in your web browser.

1. Sign in with your email to create a game. LinkChess emails you a link to click. That magic-link sign-in is only for creating a game or playing from your signed-in game list.
2. Each player gets a private chessboard link. An invited player opens the link in the email. The board appears, and they move from that link. They do not sign in.
3. LinkChess emails a turn notice when it is your move. Invitation and turn notices go to the addresses used for the game.
4. Games, moves, messages, and mail are deleted after 60 days. The lifetime game count and Elo rating for each email are kept.

Do not share your private link. Anyone who has it plays as you.

Entering moves

Type a move such as e4 or Nf3, or click two squares, then submit. Castling, promotion, and en passant use the same forms as on the how-to page. How to play LinkChess.

Start a game or read about long-distance chess with family and friends.