Frequently Asked Questions

Is ChessDuel really free?

Yes. Unlimited games, challenges, chat and leaderboards are free forever, supported by small banner ads. The optional Premium plan (₹100/year, via Google Play) removes all ads.

How do I play with a friend?

Both of you sign in (Google or email) and pick a username. Then tap Play, search your friend's username, and hit Challenge. They get a notification, accept, and the game starts instantly with random colours.

How do points work?

Everyone starts with 100 points. Winning a game earns +10; losing costs −10 (never below 0). The leaderboard tracks both all-time points and weekly wins — the weekly board resets every Monday.

Do I need to download anything?

No — ChessDuel runs in any modern browser at chessduel.in. If you'd like an app icon, you can install it from your browser menu ("Add to Home Screen"), or get the Android app from Google Play.

Can I play on my phone and continue on my laptop?

Yes. Your account and games sync in real time across every device you sign in on.

What happens if I close the tab mid-game?

Nothing is lost. The game lives on our servers — reopen ChessDuel any time and resume from your home screen. Your opponent sees the board exactly as you left it.

Is there a time control?

Games are currently untimed — perfect for casual duels and playing across busy schedules. Timed modes are on our roadmap.

How is my data handled?

We collect only what the game needs (account, username, games, chat) and never sell personal data. Game chat is deleted when a game is closed. Full details in our privacy policy.

I found a bug / have a feature idea!

Brilliant — tell us via the contact page. Player feedback directly shapes what we build next.