Chess.com is the most popular chess website that supports playing across different devices. The Chess.com app remains one of the most downloaded, having over 100 million downloads on the Google Play Store alone.
Yet, most people are unsure whether to use the site in 2025, considering that a premium fee is charged to unlock access to all its features.
This article will review Chess.com to see if it still fits your chess journey in 2025.
History
The Chess.com website was founded by Erik Allebest and Jay Severson in 2005. Since then, it has grown from a two-man operation to a company estimated to be worth over $500 million.
Chess.com has expanded its market coverage by collaborating extensively and acquiring competitors like Chess24.
Mission
According to Erik, the co-founder of Chess.com, “Chess.com’s mission is to help people enjoy their lives through the game of chess.”
They are doing a fantastic job at this, given that countless individuals around the globe now use and enjoy their website for playing online chess, which makes it one of the best chess websites.
Features
Chess.com offers a long list of features for beginners and even master-level players.
Play Chess Online
The ability to play online is one of the most used features on Chess.com, and for good reason. Who doesn’t enjoy a quick game of chess?
On the website and app, you can:
- Hop onto a game with a friend or a random player online
- Play against Bots ranging from Martin to the Magnus Carlsen himself.
- Participate in tournaments. Premium user can also create their tournaments.
- Choose from several chess variants to play.
Puzzles
Chess players often say, ‘Chess is 99% tactics.’ This saying explains why I am always critical of puzzle-solving features on chess websites.
However, solving puzzles on Chess.com is a delight. In addition to the classic puzzle-solving feature, the site offers a brilliant mix of puzzle-solving experiences.
- Puzzle Battle: This unique feature, coupled with the associated puzzle rating, allows users to compete with friends to test each other’s tactical prowess in an allotted time.
- Puzzle Rush: Another pleasant feature for players who want to solve custom puzzles individually. In addition to the usual rating, Chess.com recently introduced a point-and-tier-solving feature, which is a nice touch.
Learn
Now, this is where Chess.com shines brightest as a Chess website. The Learn feature gives the option to use:
- Lessons.
- Openings.
- Analysis.
- Classroom.
- Insights.
- Endgames.
- Practice.
- Other features like Aimchess and Chessable.
Watch
On Chess.com, it is very easy to follow chess events and tournaments worldwide. There is a dedicated event page to track the top tournaments.
Chess.com also has a Chess TV feature where chess players can watch and follow live streams of events and a dedicated streaming page for following streamers.
In addition to the usual video and OTB coverage on Chess.com, the Playing Now feature allows you to watch games of top players and friends.
News
Chess coverage is another area where chess.com excels compared to most other websites. The website has a large team of journalists who cover chess events and news.
This feature on Chess.com is handy since I can easily stay updated with the news and check the chess rankings quickly, all on a single site.
Social
Considering that Chess.com has the most extensive user base of chess players, the social possibilities with Chess.com are enormous.
Players can easily chat with friends, join clubs, chat in forums, start their blogs, and even sign up or hire coaches.
Other Notable Features
Apart from the highlighted features, Chess.com has other resources and features like;
- A Game Library
- An Opening Explorer
- Solo Chess
- Vision Trainer
Notable Pros
Chess.com has a lot of great things going for it compared to competitor sites like Lichess.
- Easy to Use: The user experience on the website and accompanying apps is unmatched, with easy-to-use navigation and smooth design elements that ensure seamless movement across the various pages.
- Feature Packed: Using Chess.com is like being spoiled for options with what can be done.
Notable Cons
- Cost: Although it is free to use Chess.com, some features are behind a premium paywall.
Conclusion
So, is Chess.com worth it in 2025? The answer largely depends on what you seek in a chess website.
For casual players, Chess.com’s free version offers everything you would need. However, the premium subscription unlocks valuable features for competitive players, from advanced lessons to in-depth analysis tools.
With its intuitive design, rich feature set, and robust community, Chess.com remains the leading chess platform.
While the premium cost may be a downside for some, the value justifies the price for dedicated players.
Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned competitor, Chess.com remains a top choice for online chess in 2025.