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How do I play in person against a friend on the app?

Learn how to use the 'Play in Person' feature on the Chess.com app to enjoy a game in person without the need for a physical board.

Updated yesterday

Play in Person

Want to play a game of chess with someone next to you, but don’t have a board handy? No problem! The 'Play in Person' feature on the Chess.com mobile app lets you and a friend take turns on the same device, just like using a real board.

This feature was previously called 'Pass & Play.' If you're using an older app version (before 4.8.0 on Android or 4.8.14 on iOS), it will still appear with the old name.


How to use Play in Person on iOS

  1. Open the Chess.com app, and tap 'Play' at the bottom of the home screen.

  2. Tap 'More,' then select 'Play in Person.'

    Play screen on the Chess.com mobile app for iOS with an arrow pointing to the More option highlighting the Play in Person feature

  3. Choose your game settings: Game type, whether to show best moves or threats, and whether the board should flip after each move. Tap 'Start' to begin playing!

    Play in Person screen on the Chess.com mobile app for iOS

How to use Play in Person on Android

  1. Open the Chess.com app and tap 'Play' at the bottom of the home screen.

  2. On the New Game screen, tap 'More' and select 'Play in Person.'

    Play screen on the Chess.com mobile app for Android with an arrow pointing to the More option highlighting the Play in Person feature

  3. Customize your game settings before starting (see the table below for options), then tap 'Play' to begin your game!

    Play in Person screen on the Chess.com mobile app for Android

Setting

Description

Player color

Tap on a name to edit it. Use the crossed arrows icon to switch which player is White or Black.

Type

Choose between Standard, Chess960, or set up a Custom Starting Position.

Time Control

Pick from any of the available Live time controls, or select 'None' for an untimed game.

Board rotates

When Auto Flip is on, the board will automatically rotate after each move. If you turn it off, you can still flip the board manually by tapping 'Options' > 'Flip Board.'

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