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How can I play the computer from a custom position?

Play against the Chess.com computer from a custom position, common opening, or setup you create, on both the website and mobile apps.

Updated over a week ago

Play against the bots from a custom position

From a position in one of your games

Sometimes, your opponent may resign early, or you might wish you'd made a different move. Here's how you can explore those possibilities:

Web

  1. Open the game you'd like to practice, and click 'Self-Analysis' from the bottom of the right sidebar.

    A game on Chess.com with ana arrow pointing to the Self Analysis option

  2. This will open the Analysis board with your game already loaded. Play through the moves until you reach the position you want to explore.

  3. Click the 'Practice vs Computer' icon at the bottom of the right sidebar to start playing from that position.

    • If you don’t see the icon, make sure the 'Analysis' toggle at the top of the sidebar is turned on.

    A game on Chess.com with an arrow pointing to the Practice vs Computer icon

The computer will start at the strongest level by default. To adjust the difficulty, click the 'Change Bot' icon and choose a different engine strength or personality.

If you want to switch sides during the game, click the 'Switch Sides' icon.

A game vs a Bot from a custom position on Chess.com

Mobile

  1. Open the game you want to play vs the bot, and use the arrows to navigate to the position you'd like to play from.

  2. Tap 'More' in the bottom menu and select 'Finish vs Bot.'

    A game on the Chess.com mobile app

  3. To adjust the bot's strength, tap the 'Edit' icon next to the engine's rating.

    A game vs a bot on the Chess.com mobile app

Alternatively, tap 'Analysis' > 'Options' > 'Finish vs Bot.'


From a common opening

  1. Hover over 'More' in the left menu of any Chess.com page and click 'Openings.'

  2. Find and select the opening you want to practice, and click 'Practice vs Computer' in the opening description to start a game from that position.

    French Defense Opening page on Chess.com

From a setup you created

You can create any board setup and play it against the computer.

Web

  1. Hover over 'Learn' and click 'Analysis.' In the Analysis board, click 'Set Up Position.'

    Analysis on Chess.com

  2. Drag and drop pieces to create any position you want, including unconventional setups.

  3. When you're ready, click 'Practice vs Computer' to play from your custom position and see how the computer responds.

    Setup Position in Analysis on Chess.com

Mobile

  1. Tap 'More' in the bottom menu and select 'Analysis.' In the Analysis screen, tap 'Set Up Position.'

    Analysis screen on the Chess.com mobile app

  2. Drag pieces from below the board to create your custom setup, then tap the checkmark when you're done.

    Custom Setup in Analysis on the Chess.com mobile app

  3. Once the position is loaded, tap 'Options' at the bottom and select 'Finish vs Bot.'

    Analysis screen on the Chess.com mobile app

Just play!

The simplest way to play against the computer is to start a game directly.

Just hover over ‘Play’ and then select ‘Play Botsto start a game against the Chess.com computer. This mode allows you to analyze moves and take back moves as you play.

Check out this article to learn more about playing vs Bots: How can I play against the Chess.com bots?

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