How to create an open challenge on Chess.com
An open challenge is simply any challenge that has not yet been accepted.
The easiest way to send a challenge is by going to the Play Online screen and clicking the green 'Play' button. This will automatically match you with anyone within your set rating range who is looking for the same kind of game.
If the system can't find a match for you right away, it will create an open challenge for you instead, and you can wait for the game to be accepted.
Custom challenges
A custom challenge allows you to choose the rating range of your opponent, choose a custom opening, limit the game to only premium members, and more.
Custom challenges create an open challenge that members can choose to accept or not. If your custom challenge is very specific, you may have to wait a while to find someone who wants to play with those options. If you get tired of waiting or change your mind, you can cancel your open challenge.
Check out this article to learn how to create a custom game: How do I start a game on Chess.com?
How do I cancel an Open Challenge?
Live Challenges
Open live game challenges are rare since they’re usually accepted quickly. However, if your challenge uses a custom time control or you sent it to a specific member who hasn’t accepted yet and you’ve changed your mind, here’s how to cancel it:
Web
If your open Live Challenge is pending to be accepted, you’ll see it as a small notification in the bottom right corner of your screen indicating your seek is active.
Click the chessboard icon to expand the notification and click the 'X' to cancel the challenge.
Mobile
If your challenge has not been accepted yet, you can cancel it by tapping on the 'X' at the bottom of your screen.
Daily Challenges
From the Play Online screen
Go to the Play Online screen and click the 'Games' tab at the top of the right sidebar.
Select the 'Daily Games' tab, then click the down arrow next to 'Active Games' to expand your options and choose 'Outgoing Challenges.'
You’ll see your pending Daily Challenges listed there. Click on the one you want to cancel, then click the X under 'Cancel Challenge?' to remove it.
From your homepage
Go to your Chess.com homepage on the web and locate the 'Daily Games' section.
If you’re viewing your Daily Games in Image view, you’ll know a game is still pending because it will have a board icon with a plus sign (+).
Just click on it to open the game, then click the 'X' under 'Cancel Challenge?' to cancel it. This will cancel the challenge and remove it from both your and your opponent's screen.
If you’re using List view, just click the ‘X’ next to the challenge you want to cancel.
If you don't see a 'Daily Games' section on your homepage, you might want to add it. Learn here how: How can I change my homepage?