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www.redhotpawn.com - Play Online Chess

Online Chess

Play free chess online, play online chess. Chess games database, blitz chess, frequent chess tournaments, active chess forums and chess clubs with private forums, ratings and tournaments. Membership is free and finding games with chess players from around the world has never been so easy. Just complete a simple registration process, then either challenge a friend or acccept one of the many offered chess games to start.

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    • Welcome to RedHotPawn.com Online Chess

    Play online chess against your friends. It's free to play and anyone can join.

    Play online correspondence chess through a feature-rich, browser interface against your friends or other members.

    No downloads are required to play online chess, and it is completely free to sign up and play.

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    By clicking Sign Up, you are indicating that you have read and agree to the Terms of Service.
    Play Online Chess
    Start Game
    Public Chess Games
    Chess Forums
    Player Tables
    Chess Tournaments
    Chess Ladders
    Chess Clans
    Chess Sieges

    bulletRecent Checkmates

    bulletFeatures

    Red Hot Pawn supports turn-based online chess with thousands of people from all over the globe. You choose who and when you play. Games don't have to be finished in one sitting - your opponent doesn't even have to be online as you make your moves. You can also play multiple simultaneous games.

    • An active chess community with over 100,000 members.
    • All boards viewable online, so there is no need to set up a conventional board for your games.
    • Quick start options for new users, either use a wizard to find suitable opponents after registration or offer a game to anyone using the 'open invite' feature.
    • Feature-rich interface including an interactive analysis board for experimentation with lines or reviewing the game history.
    • Optional email notifications when it is your turn to move, each including a quick link direct to your board.
    • Private notebook for each player in every game.
    • Over the board messaging system, chat to your opponents as you move.
    • Blitz chess microsite available to all members for fast paced games.
    • Chess tournaments in a variety of formats.
    • Chess clans allowing team play in challenge and league formats.

    Plus many more features.

    Please note : Some features are only available to subscribers.

    bulletTestimonials

    The testimonials below reflect only some of the comments sent to Red Hot Pawn since 2001:

    “Brilliant - a great way to play chess and keep in contact with my old friends.” 

    “I'd just like to say that your site is easily the most impressive online chess playing site I've seen.” 

    “This is one of the most thoroughly thought out, most functional web experiences I have ever had.” 

    “I had been looking for a very good online chess site and I am thankful I found Red Hot Pawn!” 

    “This is a great site, that offers the opportunity for players of different levels to play on a global level.” 

    “I really love this site! I play online chess at four different sites and this is the only one I subscribed to.” 

    “This is the best email chess site around - thanks.” 

    “I am recommending this site to all I meet.” 

    “I haven't played chess for years but this site has totally got me hooked!” 

    “I just wanted to say what a great chess website this is. Thanks for providing such great free content.” 

    “The blitz microsite is a great addition - an excellent practice tool.” 

    “This is a great site for the busy chess player. So good I had 5 of my friends join and we can all play when we have the time.” 

     

    bulletPlaying online chess

    Playing chess online offers an alternative to traditional methods of play, such as over-the-board(OTB) play where players sit down together at a board, or correspondence chess(CC), where games are completed by mailing moves back and forth using 'snail mail'. (Using the regular postal delivery services.)

    Online chess enhances the game by making the world wide community of chess players accessible for play, regardless of geographic location or time zone. Correspondence play is facilitated by the provision of web browser based boards and near instant delivery of email notifications, avoiding the prolonged delays and expense caused by posting moves. Over-the-board play is offered using real-time environments where bullet chess, blitz chess and rapid chess games can be played and time controls enforced for both players.

    Online correspondence chess remains the main focus of this site, featuring ratings, managed tournaments, and team play, but over-the-board play is also offered via a blitz microsite. This is somewhere to visit to play a quick game of blitz with other members between correspondence moves.

    Sign up

    How it works

    bulletAn online chess community

    Challenge your friends or play against members of a global chess
    community.

    bulletEmail move notifications

    When it is your turn to move, you will be notified by email. Click a link to play your move.

    bulletPlay at your own pace

    Play one or more games simultaneously. Games can be played over days or weeks.

    bulletRed Hot Pawn Blogs

    Woman Grandmaster and three-times European champion Natalia Pogonina answers members' questions about her chess and improving your game.
    Updated 02 Jul '10 | Read »
    Veteran blogger greenpawn34 takes a look at some of the more interesting games played on the site.
    Updated 07 Sep '10 | Read »

    bulletPlay chess on your iPhone

    iPhone online chess
    Play online chess at Red Hot Pawn on your iPhone.
    Forums bulletForums
    Site News
    Site announcements.
    Only Chess
    All things chess.
    Help
    Help and site ideas.
    Debates
    Great debates.
    Posers and Puzzles
    Puzzles, riddles, games and other challenges.
    General
    The always popular off topic forum.
    Blitz Chess bulletBlitz Chess
    Blitz Chess
    Waiting for your move during correspondence play? It is now possible to play real-time speed chess or blitz chess on the new Red Hot Pawn blitz microsite.
    Openings Library bulletOpenings Library
    The Red Hot Pawn Chess Openings Library microsite features an interactive and searchable openings reference.
    Grandmaster Games bulletGrandmaster Games
    The Red Hot Pawn Grandmaster Games Database microsite features a comprehensive archive of all Grandmaster games played.
    Chess Clubs bulletChess Clubs
    A chess community feature new to Red Hot Pawn. Private forums, chess tournaments and all club members have a unique club rating and table. More on Chess clubs.
    Rival Chess bulletRival Chess
    Red Hot Pawn is the home of Rival Chess.
    Meet-ups bulletMeet-ups
    Past and forthcoming community organised meet-ups.