How to Play Chess Against a Friend on the Internet

Although there are many websites that allow a person to play chess against a computer or against some random person who resides somewhere else in the world, there are fewer chess websites that allow friends to play against each other online. Being able to play chess online against somebody that you know adds an extra level of familiarity and camaraderie to the game.

Instructions

1. Open up a web browser (such as Internet Explorer, Firefox or Safari). In the URL address bar, type in the address for the RedHotPawn website (see Resources section below).

2. When the page opens, fill in the blanks on the page next to the "Name" and "Your E-mail" fields. Be sure to use your real e-mail address. Click on the box next to the words "I am over 13" and then click on the "Sign Up" box.

3. Read the next page that opens. It essentially says that it has sent you an e-mail with instructions on how to continue signing up to play chess with a friend.

4. Go to the e-mail address you entered and find the e-mail from RedHotPawn. Open it and click on the link inside of the e-mail. A new window will open.

5. When the "Complete registration" page opens, fill in the boxes under the "Mandatory" heading. This includes creating your password, indicating which country you are in and checking on the boxes to agree to the site's terms of service. Then click on "Complete Registration."

6. When the new window opens, find "Play Your Friends" at the top of the page. Enter the e-mail of a friend next to the "Friend #1 email" box. Uncheck the two "Challenge" boxes on the page. Click the button that says "Play chess."

7. Call, text or IM the person you want to play against and tell him to check his e-mail. After he clicks on the link from RedHotPawn, he will be connected to an online chess game with you and the game can begin.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to represent your country, select "Show national flag" on the screen mentioned in Step 5.

• Failing to uncheck the challenge boxes in Step 6 will connect you to play chess against somebody else--not your friend.

Resources

• Play Chess Online Here
• Illustrated Rules of Chess