What is correspondence chess?
For a long time, correspondence chess was played by letter and postcard: one move per letter, and a game could take months. Here the moves arrive in a second, but the idea is the same. You have plenty of time for every move, and what counts is depth, not speed.
How it works
- Get a player code. A name is all it takes.
- Choose the time per move, one, three or seven days, and send the link to the person you want to play.
- When your friend accepts the challenge, the game begins. Every move gives your opponent the full time again to reply.
- Whoever doesn't reply in time loses on time.
Your player code
The player code is two Swedish words and a number (easy to type on any keyboard), for example TORN-KOMET-427. It's the key to your games: enter it on another phone or computer, and everything is there. We keep your player name and your games, and of the code itself only a fingerprint (a hash) that can't be turned back into the code. No email needed, and nothing else about who you are.
Rather play a game right now? Play a friend with a clock, or join this week's tournaments.
Is this the same as correspondence chess by mail?
The same idea: every move can take days, and the players never sit at the same board. Only the mail is faster.
What happens if I don't reply in time?
Then you lose the game on time, just as when the clock runs out in an ordinary game. If your opponent has only the king left, it's a draw instead.
Will I get reminders?
Yes, if you like. Turn on notifications on Your profile, under Account, and you'll hear when it's your move, even when LaviChess isn't open. The list here always shows whose move it is and how much time is left.
Can I get help from a chess program?
No. Think for yourself: the analysis board can wait until the game is over.