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How to Download Chess for Free

Chess involves mastering patience and control while facing an opponent across a simulated battlefield. Although traditional chess strategy relies in part on an opponent's body language, modern chess relies more on virtual strategy, as many games are played against a computer or distant opponent. Here's how you can download a free chess game onto your computer and start playing this ancient game of strategy.

Instructions

- 1
  Download a free chess game through ChessCentral. This site offers a selection of four free downloads (see Resources below). Simply click the blue "Download" button next to the chess download of your choice and select "Run" or "Save" when the "File Download" window pops open. If you saved the file, find it in the directory you saved it to and then click on the file name to install the software.
- 2
  Compare various free chess programs on CNET's Download site (see Resources below). Download your selection by clicking on the "Download Now" link to the right of the software title. Follow the same "File Download" window instructions outlined in Step 1.
- 3
  Get a free demo of Chess Rally 2.5 by clicking on the blue "Download Now" link (see Resources below). The download provides a 21-day free trial of the software and all "Gold Edition" features such as email correspondence and network game play. After the trial, you can continue to play email correspondence chess for free or continue to enjoy all Gold Edition game features by paying $20.
- 4
  Play chess online or through a graphical user interface for free on the Free Internet Chess Server (see Resources below). Register on the site by clicking the blue "Register now" link. Click the "Login Now" link to immediately begin game play after you receive your login and password or download a graphical user interface.
- 5
  Check with your Instant Messenger (IM) and/or Internet Service Provider (ISP) for free game downloads.

Chess & Checkers