In this blog, we’re going to explore five of the best chess tools and websites that are incredibly helpful for players looking to improve their game. These resources are all free to use and ad-free.
1- Lichess
Lichess is hands down the best chess website out there. I personally prefer its playing experience compared to other platforms. It’s completely free and open-source, and many top chess websites use its games and source code to build their databases. Lichess has a unique vision that goes beyond making money. If you’re interested in learning more about open-source coding or the Lichess project in general, I highly recommend watching IM Sagar Shah’s interview with Theophilus Wait, the Director of Operations.
2- OpeningTree
OpeningTree is an indispensable tool for preparing against opponents and analyzing your own opening repertoire. I use it extensively, and many of my friends do too. Simply enter a player’s Lichess or Chess.com username to examine their opening tree.
3- Stockfish
Stockfish is a free and open-source chess engine that’s easy to download and use. It’s a valuable resource for chess players of all levels. Many top chess websites use Stockfish, and some premium paid chess engines are based on its code. Leela is another excellent Stockfish alternative, though I haven’t personally tried it yet and am unsure how to integrate it with Chessbase or other tools.
4- Chessbase Reader
Many players are unaware of Chessbase Reader, a completely free tool from the Chessbase company. While it offers fewer features than the paid Chessbase software, it’s still worth checking out. You can open PGN files, create new files, and save your games offline on your computer. You can also create and modify new databases.
5- Free Courses on Chessable
Chessable offers hundreds of free chess courses that you can watch. If you’re rated below 2000, I recommend focusing on short and sweet courses to learn new openings. There’s no need to purchase the full courses, which typically cost between $100 and $300.