Kings & Pawns
Play Kings & Pawns now · free, no download, no sign-up
Kings & Pawns is a full game of chess set in a warm wooden room. Every rule is in place, from castling and en passant to promotion, stalemate and draws by repetition, so you can play a proper game whether you are learning or have played for years.
Beginners get legal-move dots, hints and undo, while stronger players can turn on blitz or rapid clocks and challenge the hard computer. Puzzles and a daily puzzle give you something quick to solve when you do not have time for a whole game.
How to play
- Tap a piece to see its legal moves as dots, then tap a square, or drag the piece there.
- Each side moves in turn, and the aim is to checkmate the opposing king: put it in check with no way out.
- Castling, en passant and promotion all work; a pawn reaching the far side becomes any piece you choose.
- Games can also end in stalemate, threefold repetition, the fifty-move rule or a dead position.
- Play with a clock, blitz 5+0 or rapid 10+5, or take as long as you like.
Controls
On a phone or tablet
Tap a piece then a square, or drag it. The board can turn to face whoever moves in two-player mode.
On a computer
Click or drag pieces with the mouse.
Game modes
Vs computer
Easy, medium and hard levels; the engine thinks in the background so the board never freezes.
Two players
Play a friend on one device, with the board turning to face each player.
Online
Open a private table, share its code or link, and play a friend on their own device, with optional clocks.
Puzzles and daily
30 original mates in one and two with stars, plus a daily puzzle with a streak.
Tips
- Control the centre early with pawns and pieces.
- Develop knights and bishops before moving the queen out.
- Castle early to keep your king safe and connect your rooks.
- Before each move, check what your opponent's last move threatens.
- In puzzles, look at checks first, then captures, then threats.
About the game
Chess has been played for more than a thousand years. Kings & Pawns keeps the game exactly as it is and focuses on presentation and comfort: clear move hints, a move list, a promotion chooser and a satisfying checkmate finale.
On a phone the board fills the portrait screen with large squares for tapping; on desktop it sits in the wooden room with space for the move list. Coins from wins and puzzles unlock six piece sets and six boards; hints cost coins and undos are limited by level.
Questions
- Is Kings & Pawns free?
- Yes. You can play chess free in your browser.
- Can I play a friend online?
- Yes. Create a private table and send your friend the code or link.
- Is there a chess clock?
- Yes. You can choose blitz 5+0, rapid 10+5 or no clock.
