Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about ChessNow's voice chess hotline, website analysis dashboard, accessibility support, and more.

How do I start a game on ChessNow?

Simply call our phone hotline at +1-(4-CHESSNOW-3) (or +1-424-377-6693) to start playing immediately against our chess engine, Thara, or a friend via PvP. No app download or account creation required.

What does it cost to use ChessNow?

ChessNow is completely free to use. You only pay for standard local/long-distance phone call rates as charged by your phone service provider. There are no premium hotline charges or subscription fees.

What kinds of phones are supported?

ChessNow works on any phone, including landlines, basic flip phones, and smartphones. There is no internet connection or app installation required to play.

How do I speak my chess moves?

Speak moves using Standard Algebraic Notation (SAN) like "e4", "Knight to f3", "Castle kingside", or specify coordinates like "e2 to e4". You can also use the NATO phonetic alphabet (e.g., "Echo four"). Refer to our Voice Reference Guide for a full list of formats.

What if ChessNow mishears my move?

ChessNow uses robustness checks. If a move is uncertain or matches piece+target fallback patterns, it asks you to confirm by prompting: "I heard [move]. Press 1 or say yes to play it, or say no to try again." You can simply say "no" or press 2 to cancel and try again.

Can I play against a friend?

Yes! You can initiate a Player vs Player (PvP) game from our website lobby, enter their phone number to generate a challenge, and play with each other over the phone line.

How does the rating system work?

ChessNow maintains a standard Elo-style rating for your phone number. Your rating increases or decreases based on your performance against Thara or other players. Ratings are calculated automatically on game termination.

Can I see my games after playing?

Yes. Every game is saved. You will receive an SMS recap link, and if you sync your phone number with our companion website, you can review all past games on an interactive board.

Is my game analyzed by Stockfish?

Yes, our companion website offers complete engine analysis, including move evaluation (accuracy, blunders, mistakes, best moves) powered by Stockfish running directly inside your browser.

What should screen-reader users know about the site?

The companion website is fully optimized for screen readers like JAWS and NVDA, featuring keyboard navigation skip-links, ARIA landmarks, form labels, and focus visibility. For details, read our Accessibility Statement.

Is ChessNow available outside the United States?

Currently, our primary voice hotline supports callers from the US and Canada. We plan to expand support to international numbers in the future.

Who is Thara?

Thara is our custom AI chess companion who plays moves, tracks game status, and provides personalized, real-time audio commentary on your game.