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How can I choose my color?
How can I choose my color?
Updated over a week ago

If you want to practice a specific opening, you can choose your color in unrated games!

In all rated games on Chess.com, the color is chosen at random!

Although it might feel like you’re getting a lot of games in a row as one color, it will balance out to around 50%. You can check your stats page to see how many games you’ve had with each color, and confirm that it’s about 50% each.


How To Choose Your Color In Unrated Games

This kind of game may take longer to find a match, because not as many people want to play unrated games.

  • Hover over Play in the left side menu and select Play

  • Click the Custom dropdown

  • Choose your preferred time and game type

  • Untoggle the rated option

  • After turning off the rated option, you'll be able to pick your color - Choose your color, then click Play to search for a game


Alternatives To Choosing Color

Another way to choose your color without waiting for a match is to play against the computer.

Check out this article to learn how to play a bot: How can I play against the Chess.com computer?

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