The Return of the Internet Chess Club

Website Reviews
Updated: Jun, 2025
4 mins read

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Once upon a time in the world of online chess, one name stood at the top: the Internet Chess Club. Known to many simply as ICC, it was the go-to platform for serious chess players across the globe.

But in the age of Lichess and Chess.com, ICC faded into the background… until now.

In a surprising turn, the Internet Chess Club has made a comeback, aiming to make waves again.

ICC’s Legacy and Why Its Return Matters

Let’s rewind. In the late ’90s and early 2000s, ICC was the place for online chess. Legendary grandmasters like Kasparov and Fischer all logged in. At a time when playing a GM from your living room felt like magic, ICC was the magic.

But over the years, newer platforms caught up. Lichess introduced a sleek free model, and Chess.com exploded with content and community features.

Stuck in its dated interface and paywall, ICC fell out of favor with the broader chess community.

So, when ICC quietly announced its relaunch, people were curious. Could this old titan actually come back?

What’s New with the Internet Chess Club?

A New Vision Under New Ownership

ICC isn’t just back; it’s reimagined. The platform now has new ownership focused on accessibility and relevance. Their goal? To bring the ICC to modern audiences and meet players where they are.

Free Access to Basic Features

This is a big one. ICC now offers core services like playing games, watching top matches, and using analysis tools, all for free. For a platform that once hid everything behind a paywall, that’s a huge shift.

A Freemium Model

Premium features still exist, but they’re optional. You can enjoy the basics without spending a dime. If you want deeper tools, training features, or specialized modes, then you can opt for the premium tier.

A New Interface

Say goodbye to BlitzIn and the old ICC clients. The new ICC runs right in your browser. That means no clutter. just straight to the board. It’s cleaner, faster, and far more modern than its old setup.

Glicko-2 Rating System

Goodbye, Elo, hello Glicko-2. The new rating system adds rating deviation (RD), which reflects how confident the system is in your rating.

If you’re new, your RD is high. If you’re active and consistent, your RD drops. It’s a smarter, more dynamic way to track progress.

So, Why Now?

It’s clear the new ICC knows the uphill battle it faces. With giants like Lichess dominating, finding a reason to switch seems tough.

But the new ICC isn’t trying to be the same old platform. They’re targeting casual players, educators, and former members looking for a bit of nostalgia. And with the rise of browser-based gaming, their timing might not be as off as it appears.

How the Chess World Reacted

Let’s just say… the response was mixed.

Some weren’t convinced:

“Good luck to them, but I can’t imagine there’s a reason to ever switch from Lichess to a site with paywalled features. ICC died a long time ago.”

Others were even more skeptical:

“They missed the boat by like… 10 years. It’s going to be far too late now to reclaim everybody who’s migrated to Chess.com and Lichess.”

But not everyone was dismissive. Some welcomed the change. Grandmaster Vasif Durarbayli had this to say:

“After playing a few games on the site, I had a positive first impression. The last time I played there was in 2015. You could only play on the site in the past by paying a membership fee, but now there is a free option as well.”

In short, it’s a cautious optimism at best.

Can It Really Compete?

Let’s be honest. ICC is re-entering a saturated market. Chess.com has Daniel Naroditsky streaming speedruns. Lichess has a huge open-source fanbase. And both platforms are free, polished, and wildly popular.

Still, ICC has a few aces up its sleeve: