lila♞ lichess.org: the forever free, adless and open source chess server ♞

lila

Lichess is a forever free, ad-free, and open source chess server dedicated to realtime online chess gameplay. Built with Scala and TypeScript, it provides a comprehensive platform for players of all skill levels to play, learn, and analyze chess.

Key Features

• Realtime Gameplay: Live multiplayer chess matches with instant move synchronization
• Computer Analysis: Distributed analysis engine using Stockfish via the Fishnet cluster
• Tournament System: Support for tournaments, simuls, and competitive play structures
• Tactic Trainer: Interactive chess puzzle training tool for skill development
• Game Database: Search engine accessing over 4.7 billion games with full PGN export
• Shared Analysis Board: Collaborative game analysis and study tools
• Community Features: Forums, teams, and social interaction capabilities
• Mobile App: Full-featured mobile application for iOS and Android
• Multilingual: User interface available in over 140 languages

Use Cases

• Casual Chess Players: Free online platform to play against others without ads or paywalls
• Chess Students: Access to unlimited tactics puzzles and game analysis tools
• Tournament Organizers: Host organized competitions and simuls with large audiences
• Game Researchers: Download and analyze millions of games from the public database
• Self-Hosted Deployment: Run your own chess server instance with full source code access

Who Is It For

Lichess serves chess enthusiasts from beginners to masters, as well as non-profit organizations, educators, and chess clubs. It is ideal for anyone seeking a transparent, sustainable, and community-driven chess platform without commercialization.