Help / FAQ
Quick answers. If your question is not here, write to us.
Account
How do I sign up?
Click Sign Up in the header. Username, email, and password are all you need. No card, no ID, no age gate.
I forgot my password.
Write to admin @ chess16x16.com from the email address on your account and we will reset it manually. A self-serve password reset is on the roadmap.
Can I delete my account?
Yes. Email us from your account address with the subject "Delete my account" and we will remove the live data within 72 hours. See our Privacy Policy for what is retained and why.
Playing
Do I need an account to play?
No. Click Play Now to play one game against the bot without signing up. An account is only required for live games against other members and for a rating.
Is there a mobile app?
An Android app is on the way — coming soon to Google Play. For now you can play the full game right here in your browser; the web version uses the same engine.
How do I program a piece?
On the Play page, open Settings → Program the chess game. Pick a piece and click Program — the board clears and the piece sits on the center square. Tick how it may move (Jump = leap over pieces, Slide = travel until blocked, Step = one space with a clear path; pick one or more). Click squares to add its moves, right-click a green dot to remove one, then Done to save. The piece then moves that way in the game.
Can I change the board and piece colors?
Yes. In Settings there are two one-click themes (Default colors and Black & white) plus color pickers for each player's pieces and for the light/dark squares. Your choice is saved on your device.
Is there a chess clock?
Optional. The timer is off by default — move whenever you like. Turn it on in Settings → Timer and set each player's minutes. The clock then switches sides automatically after every move; running out of time forfeits the game.
Rating & tournaments
How is rating calculated?
We use Glicko-2, the same family of rating systems used by most modern chess sites. Your rating updates after every completed rated game. Casual games do not affect rating.
How do tournaments work?
Open the Tournaments page, click Enter on a tournament whose registration window is open, and show up online when it starts. The system pairs you automatically.
Cheating
What about engine assistance?
Engine assistance in rated games is cheating and is grounds for immediate account closure and rating forfeiture. See section 4 of our Terms of Service.
Still stuck?
Write to us. We read every message.