Chess Pass & Play — 2 Players, One Phone
The easiest way to play chess with a friend in person. No app, no Wi-Fi, no account needed. Just open, tap, and pass the phone — Chess Pass and Play flips the board automatically every turn.
Why Players Love Chess Pass and Play
One Device, Two Players
Pass the phone between moves. The board flips 180° automatically each turn so you always face your pieces.
Fully Offline
Planes, trains, basements — no Wi-Fi needed. Once loaded, Chess Pass and Play runs entirely on your device.
Free Chess Clock Online
Use the built-in chess timer online to choose 1, 3, 5, or 10-minute time controls. Timed or unlimited mode — your call.
Free Forever
No sign-up, no ads, no subscription. Chess Pass and Play is and always will be free.
Dark & Light Mode
Comfortable in any environment. Switch themes instantly with one tap.
Move Hints
Valid moves highlight when you tap a piece — great for beginners learning the game.
How to Play Chess Pass & Play
Set up the game. Tap Setup above, enter both player names, pick your time control, and choose who plays White. Hit Start Game.
Player 1 moves. Tap any piece — valid destination squares light up. Tap the destination to complete your move.
Pass the phone. Hand the device to Player 2. The Pass to Player 2 screen pauses the clock; when they tap I'm Player 2, continue, the board flips 180° so Player 2 always sees their pieces at the bottom, just like a real board.
Keep going until checkmate. Take turns passing the phone after each move. Use Undo to take back a move, offer a Draw, or Resign if you're in trouble.
Pro Tips for Pass & Play
Cover your screen while your opponent thinks, just like real over-the-board chess. Use the 5-minute time control for fast, fun games. For beginners, tap a piece to see every square it can move to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Chess Pass and Play is designed specifically for two players on one device. One player moves, passes the phone, and the board flips automatically — no awkward tilting or squinting required.
Yes. Once the page loads, it works completely offline. Chess Pass and Play runs in your browser with no ongoing network connection needed — perfect for flights, road trips, or anywhere without Wi-Fi.
Completely free. No account, no download from an app store, no subscription, no ads. Open the website on any device and start playing chess instantly.
Pass and play means two people share the same device instead of playing across a network. After each move, you physically hand (pass) the device to your opponent. It recreates the feel of sitting across a real chess board, without needing two phones or an internet connection.
Yes. After each move the board rotates 180° so the next player always sees their pieces at the bottom — exactly like sitting down opposite your opponent at a real chessboard. By default a Pass Device screen pauses the clock while you hand the device over; turn it off in Settings to keep playing straight away.
Yes. Chess Pass and Play runs in the browser on iPhone, iPad, Android phones and tablets, laptops and desktops, with nothing to download. You can also add it to your home screen and open it like an app.
Yes. Choose 1, 3, 5 or 10 minutes per player, or play without a clock, and add a 2 or 5 second increment after every move if you like. The clock pauses on the Pass Device screen while the device changes hands.
Yes, on phones and tablets. Pick Face to Face in Setup and lay the device flat between you: Player 1 stays at the bottom and the top player's pieces turn to face them, so nobody has to pass anything.
Yes. Every move is saved on your device as you play, so you can close the tab or lose signal and carry on where you left off. No account is needed.
Not here: Chess Pass and Play is for two people on one device. To play the computer, use SuperChess, or the chess game on Pass and Play Games, which has Easy, Medium and Hard levels and also works offline.
More from Chess Pass and Play
More Pass & Play Games for One Device
Liked passing the device for chess? Pass and Play Games is our free collection of board, dice, word and party games for 2 to 12 people on one phone, tablet or computer. No sign-up, no download, and it works offline after your first visit.
Want chess with a computer opponent too? Chess on Pass and Play Games adds Easy, Medium and Hard levels.
Chess Online With SuperChess
Opponent on another device? SuperChess is our free chess site for playing online. Take on people worldwide, send a friend a link, or practice against the computer, with guest play and nothing to download. Chess Pass and Play is the same team's take on chess for two people at one device.
Pass & Play with no internet, just like here, plus online games, private rooms with a friend, three computer levels and a daily puzzle. Free, and you can play as a guest.
On a computer? Scan with your Android phoneNew puzzle every day: try the SuperChess daily puzzle.
Share Chess Pass and Play with a Friend
The best chess experiences are shared ones. Send this to whoever you want to challenge.