Play chess in a video call

Play chess in a video call

With Squiggle’s interactive video calls you can play chess online with your friends and family.

Chess is a brilliant strategy game to play for all ages. It tests your mental agility, forward planning, memory and ruthlessness!

You can play chess just for fun or you can get competitive.

Play chess online with Squiggle

Chess is now available! Play today!

We don’t enforce any rules, so you can play however you like. Just like in real life. Move the pieces around as you please. Enjoy!

Start the chess game mode

If you’d like to play chess with Squiggle you just need to click on the Change game button in the pink game box in the top left corner of the screen.

Then choose Chess to activate the game mode.

Confirm that you are happy for your existing artwork to be cleared.

A chessboard and chess pieces will be added to the canvas, ready to play.

Decide who will be black and who will be white. Then simply click and drag your piece to make a move.

White moves first.

You can restart your game by resetting the squiggle or by clicking on the Restart game button in the top left corner of the screen. This will return the pieces to their starting positions.

Your game will be saved so you can always rejoin or resume your squiggle at a later date to continue playing from where you left off.

How to play chess

Chess is a fun and exciting game of strategy that has been played for centuries. It might look a little complicated at first, but once you learn the basics, it’s a game that anyone can enjoy. Here’s a friendly guide on how to play chess and start your journey to becoming a chess master!

The chessboard and pieces

Chess is played on an 8x8 board made up of 64 squares that alternate between light and dark colors. Each player starts with 16 pieces, and each piece has its own special way of moving. The goal of the game is to trap your opponent’s king in such a way that they can’t escape, which is called checkmate.

Here’s a quick overview of each piece:

• The King: The king is the most important piece, but it’s not the strongest. It can only move one square in any direction — up, down, left, right, or diagonally. You win the game by putting the other player’s king in checkmate.

• The Queen: The queen is your strongest piece. It can move any number of squares in any direction — forward, backward, sideways, or diagonally. You’ll want to use the queen wisely because she can help you control the board.

• The Rook: Each player has two rooks, and they move in straight lines, either horizontally or vertically. They’re powerful when they work together, especially in the endgame when fewer pieces are on the board.

• The Bishop: The two bishops move diagonally, but each one is locked to the color it starts on. One bishop moves on light squares, and the other moves on dark squares.

• The Knight: Knights move in an “L” shape — two squares in one direction and one square to the side. What makes knights special is that they can jump over other pieces!

• The Pawns: Each player has eight pawns. Pawns move forward one square at a time, but they capture other pieces diagonally. The first time a pawn moves, it can move two squares forward. Pawns may seem weak, but they’re important for controlling space and, if they reach the other side of the board, they can be promoted to any piece (usually a queen).

Setting up the board

To set up the board, place it so that each player has a light-colored square in the bottom-right corner. Your pieces should be arranged in two rows:

• The back row (closer to you) should have the rooks in the corners, followed by the knights, bishops, the queen (on her matching color), and the king.
• The front row is filled with pawns.

Basic moves and objective

Players take turns moving one piece at a time. White always goes first. The main goal is to protect your king while trying to capture your opponent’s king. When a king is under attack, this is called “check.” The player whose king is in check must make a move to get out of check. If a king cannot escape check, the game ends in checkmate, and the player who delivered checkmate wins.

Some helpful tips

• Control the center: The center of the board is where the action happens! By controlling the central squares, your pieces will have more room to move and launch attacks.

• Protect your king: Don’t leave your king open to attack. Many players “castle” early in the game. This is a special move where you move your king two squares toward one of your rooks, and the rook moves to the square next to the king. It’s a great way to safeguard your king.

• Develop your pieces: Try to bring out your knights and bishops early in the game. Leaving them in their starting positions can make it harder to control the board.

• Think ahead: Chess is all about planning. Try to think a few moves ahead and predict what your opponent might do next.

Chess is a game of both strategy and patience. You don’t need to be a master right away — the more you play, the better you’ll get. So grab a friend, set up the board, and have fun! The more you practice, the more you’ll discover new strategies and enjoy the game’s exciting challenges.

The benefits of playing chess

Playing chess offers numerous benefits, especially for young people. It’s not just a fun and engaging game, but it also helps in developing a wide range of important life skills. Here are some of the key advantages of playing chess:

1. Improves concentration and focus

Chess requires players to pay close attention to every move on the board. One mistake can change the course of the game. This need for deep focus helps young people develop their concentration skills, which can carry over into schoolwork, sports, and other activities.

2. Enhances problem-solving skills

Chess is often called a “game of strategy” because each move requires thinking and planning. Players must analyze the situation, think ahead, and solve problems as they arise. This process strengthens their ability to tackle challenges and solve problems in everyday life.

3. Boosts memory

Remembering how pieces move, recalling past strategies, and thinking about your opponent’s previous moves all contribute to strengthening memory. Studies have shown that young people who play chess regularly often demonstrate improved memory, both in terms of chess and academic performance.

4. Encourages critical and creative thinking

In chess, there’s no single way to win. Young players must come up with creative ways to attack, defend, and outthink their opponents. This fosters both critical thinking (analyzing the board and predicting future moves) and creative thinking (coming up with unique strategies and solutions).

5. Teaches patience and discipline

Chess is a game that rewards patience. Rushing into decisions can lead to mistakes, while careful, thoughtful play usually brings better results. By playing chess, young people learn the value of thinking things through and waiting for the right moment to act, which builds discipline.

6. Improves emotional intelligence

Learning to handle both victories and defeats in chess can help young people develop emotional resilience. Winning teaches confidence, but losing teaches the importance of persistence and learning from mistakes. Over time, they become better at managing emotions, building self-control, and staying calm under pressure.

7. Enhances cognitive development

Chess engages both the left and right sides of the brain. The left side is used for logical and analytical thinking, while the right side handles creativity and intuition. By stimulating both sides of the brain, chess helps with overall cognitive development, making young minds sharper and more flexible.

8. Promotes goal-setting and planning

In chess, players must constantly plan their moves and think ahead. They set both short-term goals (e.g., capturing a piece) and long-term goals (e.g., checkmating the king). This teaches young players how to set goals in life and work toward achieving them, one step at a time.

9. Improves social skills

Playing chess with friends, family, or in a club setting helps young people develop social skills. Chess encourages interaction, teaches good sportsmanship, and helps players learn to respect their opponents. These experiences promote teamwork, empathy, and communication.

10. Increases academic performance

Many studies have shown a positive correlation between playing chess and academic success. Skills developed through chess, like problem-solving, critical thinking, and improved focus, often translate into better performance in subjects like math, science, and reading.

Conclusion

Chess is more than just a game — it’s a powerful tool for mental and personal development. For young people, playing chess can lead to improved cognitive abilities, better focus, stronger problem-solving skills, and enhanced emotional intelligence. Plus, it’s fun! Whether played for recreation or competition, chess offers valuable lessons that can benefit young players throughout their lives.