Chess960 (Fischer Random) — Play Online Free

Chess960 randomizes the back-rank pieces into one of 960 possible starting positions while keeping bishops on opposite colors and the king between rooks. It eliminates opening memorization and rewards creativity from move one.

Why Play Chess960?

Traditional chess openings have been analyzed for centuries. Chess960 levels the playing field — every game starts fresh, forcing both players to think independently rather than rely on memorized theory. It is pure strategy from the first move.

How Chess960 Works

The pieces on the back rank are shuffled randomly before each game. Pawns stay in their normal positions. Castling is still possible but follows modified rules based on the starting position. The result is 960 distinct starting setups, each producing unique middlegame patterns.

Play Instantly — No Download Required

Start a Chess960 game directly in your browser against a Stockfish-powered bot or challenge another player online. Choose your time control and difficulty level. Completely free, no account needed.