Lichess has always been the go-to platform for players who love free, open-source, and feature-packed gameplay. And this year, they’ve taken things up a notch with big improvements, new features, and a better user experience.
In this article, I will examine the Lichess landscape in 2025 and its latest developments, which have chess enthusiasts buzzing.
Major Mobile App Updates
Lichess has rolled out some exciting changes to its mobile app, making it more user-friendly and visually appealing. If you frequently play on your phone, these updates are a game-changer.
Smoother Board Customization: They fixed the board hue filter, so it only applies to the background, making gameplay much clearer. No more weird color distortions!
Better Translations: Esperanto language issues have been fixed, and all translations are now up to date, so there will be no more awkwardly translated menus.
Refined Themes: The app’s themes got a facelift, making the interface more polished and easier on the eyes.
Enhanced Analysis Board: New settings allow you to personalize your analysis experience, whether you’re reviewing your own games or studying top players.
More explicit Playban Messages: If a player is banned from playing, they now get clear notifications, so there’s no more confusion about why they can’t start a game.
New Notification Sound for Messages: Missed a message? Not anymore. Lichess added a notification sound, so you’ll always know when someone pings you.
More Puzzle Features: You can now get hints in puzzles and even play unrated puzzle challenges, making it easier to learn without worrying about ratings.
Better Study Navigation: Chapter numbers are now visible in studies, making it way easier to organize and follow lessons.
Web Platform Upgrades
While the mobile app got some love, the web version of Lichess didn’t fall behind. Here are the standout updates for desktop users:
New Broadcast Carousel: Following live games is now much smoother, thanks to an improved broadcast display for tournaments and high-profile matches.
Custom Board Backgrounds: Want to personalize your chessboard? You can now set custom backgrounds, making your playing experience truly unique.
Improved User Profile Display: Player location info is now more accurate, making it easier to see where your opponents are from.
Community and Engagement
Lichess is more than just a chess site; it’s a community. In 2025, they’ve continued to expand their engagement with players worldwide.
Packed Broadcast Calendar: From national championships to major online events, the broadcast calendar is filled with action, making it easier to follow top games.
Lichess Leaving X
On February 3, 2025, Lichess announced on their official page that they would be leaving X (formerly Twitter). According to them, the decision was made due to the increased amount of hate speech and misinformation on the platform.
Cons of Lichess in 2025
Lichess is one of the best chess platforms out there, but like anything, it’s not perfect. While it continues to evolve with exciting new features, we noticed a few downsides that could use some improvement.
Smaller Player Base
Compared to other chess platforms, Lichess has fewer active players. This can sometimes make it harder to find opponents at certain rating levels, especially in less popular time controls.
Limited Customization Options
Lichess keeps things simple, but we would love it if players had more ways to personalize their profiles. You still can’t upload profile pictures, and the social features remain basic compared to other platforms.
Rating System Feels Different
Some players feel that Lichess ratings are inflated compared to FIDE ratings. While this isn’t necessarily a flaw, it can be confusing for those switching between platforms.
Final Thoughts
Lichess has stepped up its game in 2025, making both the mobile and web experience smoother, smarter, and more engaging. Whether you’re into puzzles, analysis, or live broadcasts, there’s something for everyone.
While the site has a few niggles here and there, it is still an excellent platform for online chess.