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How do I create a Chess.com account?

Learn how to create your Chess.com account step by step—on both the website and mobile apps.

Updated over 3 weeks ago

How to create an account

Create your own account to track your progress, have fun with your friends, and enjoy all the features we offer!

If you're getting error RG45 or RP13 when creating your account, please refer to this article: I'm getting error code RG45, what should I do?

Web

Steps

Image

Visit the Sign-Up page

  • From the Chess.com home page, click 'Sign Up' on the left-side menu

  • Alternatively, you can click here

An image partially showing the Chess.com homescreen with an arrow pointing to the Sign Up button

Choose your sign-up method

  • You can sign up using an email address, phone number, Facebook, Google, or Apple.

  • If you choose a social media account, you will be prompted to log in with that account. Once signed in, your social media login info will be linked to your new Chess.com account, so you won't need to create a separate password. You will simply log in through your chosen social media account.

  • If you signed up with your phone number and haven't received the verification code, make sure that you’re using a mobile number (not a landline) and that your country code is correct.

An image showing the 'Create your Chess.com account' screen during the Sign up process on Chess.com

Select your skill level

  • Choose your skill level to determine your starting rating:

     New to chess -  400
         Beginner -  800
     Intermediate - 1200
         Advanced - 1600
An image showing the 'Select your skill level' screen during the Sign up process on Chess.com

Enter your email and password

  • Please enter an email you have access to to activate your account.

  • Choose a strong password that is at least 8 characters long and includes letters and numbers.

    • Weak passwords (e.g., 123456) will not be accepted.

An image showing the 'Enter your email and a password' screen during the Sign up process on Chess.com

Pick your username

  • This is the name others will see when playing chess. Ensure it follows community guidelines. If the name is already taken, you’ll need to choose another.

An image showing the 'Pick your username' screen during the Sign up process on Chess.com

Customize your chessboard

and pieces

  • Choose a theme for how you want your chessboard and pieces to look.

    • This can be changed or customized further after you finish creating your account.

An image showing the 'Customize your chessboard and pieces' screen during the Sign up process on Chess.com

Connect with friends

  • You can select friends to connect with from Facebook or invite them by email.

  • Click 'Later' to skip this step.

An image showing the 'Connect with friends' screen during the Sign up process on Chess.com

Enable notifications

  • Choose whether you want to enable notifications or not.

An image showing the 'Get notified when it's your move' screen during the Sign up process on Chess.com

Mobile

Steps

Image

Visit the Sign-Up page

  • Tap 'Sign Up' at the top right corner of your screen.

An image showing the homescreen of the Chess.com mobile app witht an arrow pointing to the Sign Up button

Choose your sign-up method

  • You can sign up using an email address, phone number, Facebook, Google, or Apple.

  • If you choose a social media account, you will be prompted to log in with that account. Once signed in, your social media login info will be linked to your new Chess.com account, so you won't need to create a separate password. You will simply log in through your chosen social media account.

  • If you signed up with your phone number and haven't received the verification code, make sure that you’re using a mobile number (not a landline) and that your country code is correct.

An image showing the 'Create your Chess.com account' during the Sign-Up process on the Chess.com mobile app

Pick your username

  • This is the name others will see when playing chess. Ensure it follows community guidelines.

    • If the name is already taken, you’ll need to choose another.

  • Click 'Create Account' when you've got your username.

An image showing the 'Choose a username' during the Sign-Up process on the Chess.com mobile app

Select your skill level

  • Choose your skill level to determine your starting rating:

     New to chess -  400
         Beginner -  800
     Intermediate - 1200
         Advanced - 1600
An image showing the 'What is your chess skill level' during the Sign-Up process on the Chess.com mobile app

Customize your chessboard

and pieces

  • Choose a theme for how you want your chessboard and pieces to look

  • This can be changed or customized further after you finish creating your account

An image showing the 'Choose your chessboard theme' during the Sign-Up process on the Chess.com mobile app

Connect with friends

  • You can select friends to connect with from Facebook or invite them by email.

  • Click 'Later' to skip this step.

An image showing the 'Connect with your friends who play chess' during the Sign-Up process on the Chess.com mobile app

Activate your account!

Please remember to check your email! Once your account is created, you'll receive an activation email that's essential for full access to our platform.

You’ll need to activate your account before you can chat or post in forums. If you haven’t received the activation email, please check this article for next steps.

After activating your account, you'll need to participate in 10 games of any type to fully unlock your account for normal posting and chatting.

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