Chess
The great game of kings, against Carol on a big, clear board, with legal moves marked and hints that explain why.
Play ChessFree Board Games
Six classic board games for two, played against a friendly computer player, all free, with big pieces that are easy to see on a computer, tablet or phone. Every game explains its rules, has hints and Undo, and saves itself whenever you stop. Choose one below to start playing straight away.
Checkers
The classic board game against Carol, from Easy to Hard. Jump, crown your kings and clear the board.
Play CheckersBackgammon
Race your checkers home against Carol. Honest dice, a big board, and hints that explain every move.
Play BackgammonDominoes
Match the ends, draw from the boneyard when you're stuck, and go out before Ben. First to 100 wins.
Play DominoesReversi
Trap Ben's discs to flip them your color, take the corners, and finish with the most.
Play ReversiMancala
Sow the stones round the board, land in your store to go again, and capture across empty pits.
Play MancalaWhich game should you play?
- For the great game of strategy, play Chess, with legal moves marked and a hint whenever you want one. Three levels make it gentle for beginners and a real test for experienced players.
- For a game you probably grew up with, play Checkers: jump your opponent's pieces, and crown a king when you reach the far side.
- For a mix of luck and skill, try Backgammon: roll the dice and race your checkers home, hitting your opponent's along the way.
- For something quick and friendly, play Dominoes, matching the numbers at the ends of the line.
- For a game of turnarounds, try Reversi, where every disc you trap flips to your color and the lead can change in a single move.
- For counting and planning, play Mancala: sow the stones round the board and land in your store to go again.
We measured which habits win the most games in each of them, and wrote them up in our strategy guides for Chess, Checkers, Backgammon, Dominoes, Reversi and Mancala.
Playing against the computer
Your opponent is Ben, Carol or Anne, our computer players. In Chess, Checkers, Reversi and Mancala you can choose how hard they play in Settings, from Easy, which suits a beginner, to Hard, which looks several moves ahead; Backgammon has Easy and Normal. They follow exactly the same rules you do, and in Dominoes, where the tiles are hidden, Ben sees only Ben's own. Every game has a number, and the same number always plays out the same way, so you can share a game with a friend.
There's no betting, no prizes and no real money in any of our games, and nothing to buy. They're played just for fun.
A game a day
Each board game has a daily game, the same for everyone that day, and it counts towards your streak once it's over, win or lose. If you enjoy two-player games, try our card games too.