Frequently Asked Questions
Can't find your answer? Reach us on the Contact page.
Is Shahmat.org free?
Yes. Playing, puzzles, learning, training, watching, and reviewing games are all free, with no ads and no paywalled features. The site runs on optional donations — see Gift.
Do I need an account to play?
Yes — an account lets us save your rating, game history, puzzle streak, and settings between visits. Signing up takes a minute and just needs an email and password (or "Log in with Google").
What are the bots, and how strong are they?
Bots are powered by Stockfish, one of the strongest open-source chess engines in the world, tuned across a range of strengths so there's a fair fight whether you're a beginner or an expert. See Credits for details.
What is Train / opponent prep?
Train lets you look up an upcoming opponent by username and pull their past games — from Lichess, Chess.com, Shahmat.org, or FIDE-rated events via TWIC — so you can study their tendencies before you sit down to play, the way serious players actually prepare.
How does the puzzle rating work?
Puzzle Hub tracks a separate rating from your game rating. Solve a puzzle correctly and it goes up; miss one and it goes down — similar to how game ratings adjust, but scoped to tactics.
Can I play with friends?
Yes. You can add friends from a profile page and challenge them directly, or spectate their games from Watch.
Can I change how the board and pieces look?
Yes — Settings has multiple board themes, desk themes, and piece sets to choose from.
How do I review a finished game?
Every completed game gets a Review link with an interactive board and a live evaluation bar, so you can step through it move by move and see where things swung.
How does coaching work?
The Coaching page lets you browse real coaches, view their profiles, and book and pay for a lesson directly. Coaches apply through their own application flow, reviewed by our team before they're listed.
I found a bug, or something looks wrong. What do I do?
Please tell us — see Contact. Screenshots and the steps that led to it help a lot.
Is my data safe?
We don't sell data, run ads, or use third-party trackers. Full details are in our Privacy Policy.
What counts as fair play?
Using an external engine or another person's help during a live rated game against another human isn't allowed. Practicing against our own bots, using Review after a game ends, and studying with Learn/Explorer are all fine at any time. Full policy: Fair Play & Anti-Cheat.