Chess

Chess

@chess
FreeEN

Play chess against real opponents or the built-in AI right inside Telegram — no app to install, just share a game link in any chat and your opponent taps straight into the board.

Key features

  • Play against a built-in AI at adjustable difficulty
  • Challenge a friend by sharing a game link in any chat
  • Runs as an in-Telegram web app, no download needed
  • Real-time move syncing between both players

Chess

Chess (@chess) turns any Telegram chat into a chessboard. Start the bot and it opens a lightweight web app with a full board: challenge the built-in AI at a difficulty you pick, or send a game link into a private chat or group so a friend can join instantly by tapping it, the same way Telegram's own @gamebot shares its HTML5 games. There is no account to create and nothing to download; the match runs inside Telegram's in-app browser, and moves sync in real time between both players.

For a casual game this covers the basics well: a quick match against the computer to kill time, or a private game against someone you already know. What it does not offer is much beyond that — no rating ladder, no tournaments, no way to find a random opponent of similar skill the way a dedicated chess app would. The channel link inside the bot is a private invite rather than an open public community, so support and updates come from a small, largely anonymous team rather than an established chess brand.

If you already use Chess.com or Lichess, this will not replace them. But for settling a quick game with a friend without leaving a Telegram conversation, it does the job with zero friction.

How to start

  1. Open @chess in Telegram and tap Start
  2. Choose to play the AI or share a link with a friend
  3. Make your move on the board that opens in-app

Pricing and limits

Free

Pros / Cons

  • No installation or account needed
  • Works instantly in any chat via a shared link
  • No rating system or matchmaking against strangers
  • Run by a small, largely anonymous team, not a known chess brand

Score breakdown

CriterionWeightPoints
Functionality256 / 10
Reliability & speed156 / 10
Popularity & trust154 / 10
Price & free tier109 / 10
Usability108 / 10
Safety & privacy107 / 10
Freshness55 / 10
Localization53 / 10
No intrusive ads59 / 10
Score10062.0

How we rank

FAQ

Do I need to create an account?

No, just open the bot and start playing — there is no sign-up.

Can I play against a random opponent?

Not built in — you challenge the AI or share a link with someone you already know; there is no public matchmaking.

Technical details

  • Inline mode
  • Mini App
  • Works in groups
  • Works in channels
  • Accepts voice
  • Accepts files
  • Requires phone number
  • Requires registration
  • Shows ads
  • Works in Russia without VPN

Checked September 4, 2026 · Updated September 5, 2026 · Report a problem