'Online Chess' or 'Correspondence Chess' refers to playing chess on the Internet. This means that you can play chess with someone living on the other side of the world just by sitting in front of your computer. It is one of the most popular ways that people play the game of chess today. The Internet is all about networking and connectivity, and playing the game online enables players to widen the scope of interaction and competition. Through online chess, games are not limited to participation between local friends or a physical venue. Internet chess enables one to choose an opponent from any part of the world, thereby enabling international friendships.
It is easy to play online chess by visiting specific sites that host the game. These sites have chess playing servers, and there are many websites that provide access. Most of these sites require you to register with them as a member. Registration is usually free and is as simple as filling out an online form.
There are two ways to play online chess. You can play live with another opponent who is online at the same time, or you can play an opponent who is not online at the same time.
In the live version of online chess, you are limited to playing one game at a time. Games must be finished within a specific time frame. The player that loses the game must leave. A player must also leave if the time frame for completing the game is over.
A better way of playing is the second option. With this option, you need not finish a game at one sitting. You have control over how much time you spend on a game and how you play it. Another advantage of this method is that it gives you the ability to play multiple games simultaneously. You make a move on one game, then move on to the next game and make a move there. You do this until you cover all the games that you are playing. Your opponent can see you online as soon as your moves are made. You can chat with your opponent and decide on a time frame. You can agree to make a certain number of moves before logging off or when the game must be finished.
A third option is available on so-called hybrid sites. With hybrid sites, you have the opportunity to play both live and longer time limit chess. Most of these sites allow you to save your game and download it for review at a later time. Playing chess on a hybrid chess site lets you study a game in detail since there is no time limit.
