25 years of online chess

Play Chess Online for Free

Think deeper. Play on your schedule.

Red Hot Pawn Chess is an online chess community where you can play daily correspondence chess at your own pace, enjoy live games, enter tournaments and compete with players worldwide.

Free to play
Web & mobile apps
Opponents worldwide
Rated & casual games

What is Red Hot Pawn Chess?

The home of online correspondence chess. Play daily turn-based games, enter tournaments, join clans, or play live — all in one place.

Red Hot Pawn Chess Logo

Daily Correspondence Chess

Make your move whenever it suits you. Our turn-based correspondence chess lets you think deeply and play at your own pace, with optional move notifications by email. No timers, no pressure.

Clan Team Matches

Join a chess clan and challenge rival clans in competitive team matches. Every clan has a team Clan Rating that rises and falls with each challenge - battle for position in the clan leaderboard and represent your team.

Some features are not available to standard members

Play Chess at Your Own Pace

What is correspondence chess?

Correspondence chess is a way of playing chess where opponents take turns over an extended period rather than sitting at the board together. Depending on the game, you may have hours or days to consider each move.

Make your move

Open a game, play the move you have been thinking about, and get on with your day.

Your opponent replies

You are notified when it is your turn again, by email or in the app - so you never miss a move.

Play around your life

Keep several games running at once and come back to them whenever you are ready.

More about daily chess

Daily Chess or Live Chess - Choose Your Pace

Both are here. The difference is simply how long you get to think.

Daily & Correspondence Chess

What we’re known for
Play over hours or days, one move at a time
Think deeply and analyze the position properly
Fits around your schedule, not the other way around
Keep many games running at once

Play on the web or in our iOS & Android apps.

Play Daily Chess

Live Chess

When you want something faster
Played in real time against an opponent
Faster games with shorter time controls
Both players online at the same time
Start and finish in a single sitting

Live chess is web only — not available in the mobile apps.

Play Live Chess

Your Chess Games, Wherever You Are

Start a game on your computer and make your next move on your phone. Your games stay with you wherever you play.

Chess that fits your life

Chess that fits your life

Your opponent moves, you get notified, and you play when it suits you - on the train, on a break, or late at night. Correspondence chess fits around your schedule, not the other way around.

Play on web, iOS or Android. Your games sync across all your devices.

Scan to open the app store listing
Chess app for iPhone & iPadChess app for Android

25 Years of Thoughtful Chess

Red Hot Pawn Chess has been bringing chess players together since 2001.

Free
To play, always
Membership is optional
Human
Opponents only
Chess engines are not allowed
Worldwide
Community
Players in every timezone
830 million+
Moves played
Daily Chess

What Players Say

I've used RedHotPawn for 10+ years and this app is a great extension from the website. Controls are easy to use, plenty of different options for customization of appearance, and choices for how long you want to allow on moves so you can partner with a player who plays at a similar pace.
A Google user
This app got me playing chess after a break of about 30 years.
A Google user
RedHotPawn is one of the very best venues to play correspondence chess with other people throughout the world.
A Google user
Love playing chess here. you can set the timeouts to adapt to your play style, for instance I can't be in it all the time but don't want to wait forever, so I can set more of a sometime today you need to play.
A Google user
Best laid back chess game. This app is definitely for people that like to play at a slower pace. I enjoy chess but I also have a busy life. This allows me to come back and place my piece when I'm ready. Definitely enjoy this a lot.
A Google user
Outstanding chess site. Best I've played on. Loaded with players at every level. A chess enthusiasts' dream site.
A Facebook user

Frequently Asked Questions

Correspondence chess is a style of chess where players take turns over hours or days rather than in a single sitting. You make a move when you are ready and your opponent is notified. It allows for deeper analysis and fits easily into a busy schedule - no need to sit at a board for an hour.

Daily chess (correspondence chess) gives you hours or days per move, so you can think carefully and play around your schedule. Live chess is played in real time with shorter time controls. Red Hot Pawn Chess offers both - choose whichever suits your style.

Yes. You can sign up and play correspondence chess, live chess, tournaments, and puzzles for free. Optional premium memberships unlock additional features, but the core experience is completely free.

Yes, and most players do. Because each game moves at its own pace, you can have many games running side by side and answer whichever ones are waiting on you. You choose your own limit, so games never pile up faster than you want them to.

Absolutely. The website works on any device with a browser. We also have apps for iOS and Android with move notifications, so you never miss your turn. You can use the app and website together - your games stay in sync.

No. Chess engines are strictly prohibited. Fair play is expected from all players, and anyone found cheating will be removed. Every game here is human vs human.

Ready to Play Chess at Your Own Pace?

Join Red Hot Pawn Chess for free and start playing correspondence chess with opponents around the world. No download required.