Archive · 26 Nov 2025
Lichess: The Wikipedia of Chess
Lichess is a free chess website that anyone can use to play, learn, and study chess.
It was started in 2010 by a software developer and has grown to host millions of games every day.
Lichess is loved by both hobby players and grandmasters because it offers many features without any ads or paywalls.
The site is run by a small team and relies on donations from users.
Some people have criticized Lichess for making it hard for other chess businesses to charge for their services, but most users appreciate the free access to high-quality chess resources.
Lichess is a free, open-source chess platform founded in 2010 by Thibault Duplessis.
It offers games, puzzles, analysis tools, and other chess-related activities.
Lichess is used by both hobby players and top grandmasters, including Magnus Carlsen and Indian players like Arjun Erigaisi.
The platform is run by a small team and relies on user donations for funding.
Lichess has faced criticism for making it difficult for other chess businesses to charge for their services, but it remains widely praised for its accessibility and educational value.
- Who
- Lichess, a free, open-source chess platform
- What
- A chess platform offering games, puzzles, and analysis tools
- When
- Founded in 2010, currently active
- Where
- Online, accessible globally
- Why
- To provide free, accessible chess resources and education
- Founder
- Thibault Duplessis
- Year Founded
- 2010
- Daily Games
- 6-7 million
- Employees
- 3 full-time, 20 part-time, volunteers
- Revenue Source
- User donations (average 5 euros)
- Notable Users
- Magnus Carlsen, Arjun Erigaisi, Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh
- Philosophy
- Open education, accessibility, no ads or paywalls