Best Accessible Platforms for Playing Chess Online

Chess.com, Lichess, or ICC—which is the best online chess platform? Discover what makes each unique and find out where you should be playing!

1. Chess.com

Chess.com is one of the most popular online chess platforms, boasting millions of users worldwide. It offers a wide range of features that cater to both beginners and advanced players.

Key Features:

• User-Friendly Interface: Chess.com provides an intuitive and visually appealing interface, making it easy for players to navigate the site.
• Lessons and Puzzles: The platform offers comprehensive lessons and puzzles to help players improve their skills. Chess.com uniquely has Puzzle Rush, a popular feature used for training tactics. 
• Tournaments and Events: Players can participate in various tournaments and events, ranging from daily matches to large-scale competitions.
• Educational Articles and Videos: There are many articles and videos on Chess.com made my top chess players in the world about openings, tactics, and endgames.
• Game Review: One of Chess.com’s unique features is that they have detailed game-review for post-game analysis. There is even a programmed coach giving you feedback on your moves.
• Chess Variants: You can play many chess variants including 3-check and bughouse on Chess.com.
• Community and Social Features: Chess.com has a vibrant community where players can join clubs, participate in forums, and chat with friends.

Pricing:

On Chess.com, you can create a free account, or have a Gold membership, Platinum membership, or Diamond membership. Gold memberships are typically $6.99 a month, Platinum $10.99 a month, and Diamond $16.99 a month. The key differences between the different plans are shown in the image above. In summary, you can play unlimited games and have some puzzle access on Chess.com for free, but with a Diamond membership, you get unlimited game review, coaching explanations, puzzles, lessons, and no ads. Note that verified titled players can get a Diamond membership for free.

Accessibility:

Chess.com is committed to making its platform accessible to all players. It offers features such as adjustable board colors, piece styles, and move animations to accommodate different visual preferences. Additionally, the site supports screen readers, making it accessible for visually impaired players.

2. Lichess

Lichess is a free and open-source chess platform that has gained immense popularity for its simplicity and robust features. It is entirely ad-free, providing a seamless playing experience.

Key Features:

• Free to Use: Lichess is completely free, with no hidden costs or premium memberships. All features are accessible to every user.
• Analysis Tools: Lichess offers powerful analysis tools, including computer analysis, opening explorer, and a game database. These tools help players review and improve their games.
• Tactics and Lessons: Lichess has a broad database of lessons for beginner and intermediate players. There are also several features to practice tactics.
• Variety of Game Modes: Players can enjoy different game modes, including bullet, blitz, classical, and correspondence chess. The platform also supports chess variants like Chess960 and King of the Hill.
• Tournaments and Leaderboards: Regular tournaments and leaderboards foster a competitive environment, allowing players to test their skills against others.
• Clubs and Community: You can join clubs, create blog posts, and participate in discussions.

Pricing:

Lichess is 100% free for all users, and is run by donations from players.

Accessibility:

Lichess places a strong emphasis on accessibility. There are different piece colors and settings, and different board settings include 3D. The platform supports screen readers and offers various customization options for the board and pieces. The interface is designed to be straightforward and easy to use, making it accessible for players with different needs.

3. Internet Chess Club (ICC)

The Internet Chess Club (ICC) is one of the oldest chess platforms. It has been a go-to destination for serious chess players since its inception in 1995, although it has lost some popularity over the years.

Key Features:

• Lessons and Training: ICC offers a range of training materials, including video lessons, interactive exercises, and access to a library of instructional content. However, you must pay for each of these videos, they are not included in the membership.
• Games and Tournaments: ICC has some tournaments and allows you to play games with players around the world.
• Engine Bots: ICC has bots that you can practice positions with.
• Live Broadcasts: The platform provides live broadcasts of major chess tournaments, complete with expert commentary. This feature allows players to watch and learn from the best in the world.
• Community Engagement: ICC has a strong community focus, with forums, chat rooms, and clubs where players can connect and discuss chess-related topics.

Pricing:

ICC players must pay a membership to use the platform, and can pay either different periods of time (as seen in the figure above). To access videos, users must pay an extra fee.

Accessibility:

ICC is dedicated to making chess accessible to everyone. The platform offers adjustable settings for board colors, piece styles, and interface layouts. Additionally, ICC provides support for screen readers, ensuring that visually impaired players can enjoy the game. 

Conclusion

Playing chess online has never been easier or more accessible. In terms of which platform to choose, the primary differences between Chess.com, Lichess, and ICC are their features and pricing: Chess.com’s Diamond Membership and ICC have more high-level content than Lichess. However, ICC’s video library is not included in its membership, and these videos can get quite expensive. Regarding pricing, Lichess is the clear pick because it is completely free, followed by Chess.Com and then ICC. Chess.com does have some unique features over Lichess, but for most chess players, especially those starting out, Lichess is perfectly fine to use and learn more about chess.

Whether you choose Chess.com, Lichess, or ICC, you will find a platform that meets your needs and helps you improve your skills. Each of these platforms offers unique features and a commitment to accessibility, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the game of chess. So, pick your platform, set up your board, and start playing!