Live Chess FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
* On 30 Nov 2019 we introduced the rating system. Tap here to know more.
- What are the system requirements to play Live Chess?
- Is it free to play online?
- How to start a new game with your friend or random player around the world?
- Should I be always online to play Live Chess?
- Can I play multiple games?
- I want to end the match. What are my options?
- How can I see the status of matches?
- Can I communicate to my opponent?
- What if I make a wrong move accidentally?
- Is it safe to close my app or restart my device during the active match?
- How will I know if it is my turn?
- Can I play with a player with similar skills?
- How to know my level?
- Can I play a game with time control?
- Why does each player have a bonus of 5/10 seconds per move when I play a game with time control?
- If I upgrade my free app to Pro (paid) version, will I be able to play with a player who still use a free version of Chess Prime 3D?
- How is it determined who makes the first turn?
- Will the game server always find a player for me?
- I got “Server is not responding” error when the game was going to end. Why does it happen?
- I play a game with time control. Can my opponent change their device time to adjust the timer / terminate the game early / add extra time for a move?
- I play a game with time control. What happens when a player becomes offline / inactive?
- I don’t want to play Live Chess. Is there an option not to respond to the invites / game requests?
- I still could not find the answer to my question. What can I do?
1. What are the system requirements to play Live Chess?
To check if you are signed in to Game Center you should navigate to "Settings > Game Center", from this menu you can either create a Game Center profile, using an e-mail account of your choice, or log in to your existing account.
- Enable & Configure Game Center on your device (Settings / Game Center).
- Sign in (or register) to Game Center by using your Game Center account name and password.
- Internet connection should be active on your device.
- The device time settings must be correct (it’s recommended to have ‘Set Automatically’ enabled in (Settings / General / Date & Time).
- Optional: enable Game Center Push Notifications to be notified about opponent's move when you don't use the app. This can be done in "Settings > Notifications > Chess 3D" or "Settings > Chess 3D > Notifications".
To check if you are signed in to Game Center you should navigate to "Settings > Game Center", from this menu you can either create a Game Center profile, using an e-mail account of your choice, or log in to your existing account.
2. Is it free to play online?
Yes, completely. The free version of Chess Prime 3D has full functionality, you can play as many games as you like. However to support the app development we may show the ads from time to time. If you want to play without ads, you have the option to remove ads by upgrading to Pro version.
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Yes, completely. The free version of Chess Prime 3D has full functionality, you can play as many games as you like. However to support the app development we may show the ads from time to time. If you want to play without ads, you have the option to remove ads by upgrading to Pro version.
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3. How to start a new game?
To start a new match, tap the ‘NEW’ button. The app opens Game Center interface where you can:
- PLAY WITH YOU FRIEND: you can send an invite to your friend via iMessage by tapping Invite Friends and then you can choose your friend from your contacts or friends list
- PLAY WITH A RANDOM PLAYER: start a new match with a random player by tapping ‘Play Now’.
When you click ‘Play Now’ or send an invite to your friend, the app creates a new match request and waits for an opponent. It may take from a few seconds to a few minutes to find a player. If an opponent is not available at this moment, you can try to create a new match request with different game settings, solve the puzzles provided or just wait while playing with AI (artificial intelligence). You will be notified about opponent's turn if you’re still using the app. Otherwise, if you use another app or don’t use your device, you’ll get a Game Center notification to make a turn.
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To start a new match, tap the ‘NEW’ button. The app opens Game Center interface where you can:
- PLAY WITH YOU FRIEND: you can send an invite to your friend via iMessage by tapping Invite Friends and then you can choose your friend from your contacts or friends list
- PLAY WITH A RANDOM PLAYER: start a new match with a random player by tapping ‘Play Now’.
When you click ‘Play Now’ or send an invite to your friend, the app creates a new match request and waits for an opponent. It may take from a few seconds to a few minutes to find a player. If an opponent is not available at this moment, you can try to create a new match request with different game settings, solve the puzzles provided or just wait while playing with AI (artificial intelligence). You will be notified about opponent's turn if you’re still using the app. Otherwise, if you use another app or don’t use your device, you’ll get a Game Center notification to make a turn.
- Don’t create too many new match requests if you can’t handle playing multiple chess games at once.
- If you already created multiple match requests and finally an opponent is found for one of your requests, please delete other requests if you don’t plan to play multiple games at once.
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4. Should I be always online to play Live Chess?
No. You only need to be online to start a new game, make a turn or if you use the chat. You can switch to other apps, play multiple matches at once or just think about your next move when your Internet connection is off.
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No. You only need to be online to start a new game, make a turn or if you use the chat. You can switch to other apps, play multiple matches at once or just think about your next move when your Internet connection is off.
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5. Can I play multiple games?
Yes, Live Chess is a turn-based game. The game is saved securely on the Apple servers. You can load the game and make the next turn whenever you like.
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Yes, Live Chess is a turn-based game. The game is saved securely on the Apple servers. You can load the game and make the next turn whenever you like.
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6. I want to end the match. What are my options?
If you want to end the game, you can either tap ‘Resign’ within the game interface, so your opponent gets a notification that you resigned or you can delete the game when you browse your active games.
‘Resign’ option is available only when it is your turn. ‘Delete’ option is always available.
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If you want to end the game, you can either tap ‘Resign’ within the game interface, so your opponent gets a notification that you resigned or you can delete the game when you browse your active games.
‘Resign’ option is available only when it is your turn. ‘Delete’ option is always available.
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7. How can I see the status of matches?
Tap ‘ACTIVE’ / 'COMPLETED' button to see the list of Active and Completed games. For each game you can see the board, create / last turn date, opponent's name, etc.
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Tap ‘ACTIVE’ / 'COMPLETED' button to see the list of Active and Completed games. For each game you can see the board, create / last turn date, opponent's name, etc.
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8. Can I communicate to my opponent?
You have the following options to communicate to your opponent:
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You have the following options to communicate to your opponent:
- ‘Chat’ – when you want to talk. Please read the Chat rules thoughtfully.
- ‘Resign’ – when you want to quit.
- ‘Rematch’ – when you want to play a new game with the same opponent. Your opponent may accept or decline your request. If a current match is in progress and your opponent accepted to rematch the game, then the current game will be cancelled and a new game will be created. If the match is already ended, the app will create a new match, and your opponent needs to accept your invite.
- ‘Offer Draw’. If you think that neither you nor your opponent can win from the current position, you can offer a draw. However your opponent may decline your request if they believe they can win.
- ‘Undo Move’. If you have made move by accident, you may ask your opponent to undo the last moves. This option is available only when it is your turn. Your opponent may decline your request. Please respect your opponent’s decision and don’t send too many requests to undo the moves. To reduce the number of accidental hits, it’s recommended to use ‘Confirm Each Move’ option.
- ‘Postpone Match’. When you play a time-control game and you don’t have an opportunity to end the game in predefined time, you can ask your opponent to postpone the match. If your opponent accepts your request, the match will be converted to the match without any time limits.
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9. What if I make a wrong move accidentally?
There is ‘Confirm Each Move’ option. It is ON by default and we recommend to leave it enabled. When it is on, you tap the piece’s square followed by tapping the destination square. Finally the app asks you to confirm your move. Once you confirm your move, it will be submitted to the game server.
Additionally, you have the option to ask your opponent to undo the last moves.
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There is ‘Confirm Each Move’ option. It is ON by default and we recommend to leave it enabled. When it is on, you tap the piece’s square followed by tapping the destination square. Finally the app asks you to confirm your move. Once you confirm your move, it will be submitted to the game server.
Additionally, you have the option to ask your opponent to undo the last moves.
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10. Is it safe to close my app or restart my device during the active match?
Yes, absolutely. Your game is saved on the game server. You simply need to open the app again, tap ‘ACTIVE’ button and find your game.
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Yes, absolutely. Your game is saved on the game server. You simply need to open the app again, tap ‘ACTIVE’ button and find your game.
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11. How will I know if it is my turn?
It depends on what you are doing at time when your opponent is making a turn.
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It depends on what you are doing at time when your opponent is making a turn.
- If you closed the Chess Prime 3D app and use some other app, you should get Game Center Notification. Click on that notification and it should open Chess Prime 3D app loading your game.
- If you use Chess Prime 3D for other purposes, e.g. playing with AI, solving chess puzzles, or playing with other friends, you should get an app alert - it can be either a message or red badge near 'Bell' button.
- If you play the game and your opponent makes a move, you will see the animated move, your timer should be resumed, and your opponent’s timer will be suspended. If you missed the move animation, tap the ‘Eye’ button.
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12. Can I play with a player with similar skills?
Yes. When you start a new match, you should select your level. It can be either ‘Beginner’, ‘Intermediate’, or ‘Advanced’. If you, for example, click ‘Advanced’, the game activates a new game with only players who chose ‘Advanced’ level as well. To have more fun and make a real progress in chess, it’s important to choose the correct level.
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Yes. When you start a new match, you should select your level. It can be either ‘Beginner’, ‘Intermediate’, or ‘Advanced’. If you, for example, click ‘Advanced’, the game activates a new game with only players who chose ‘Advanced’ level as well. To have more fun and make a real progress in chess, it’s important to choose the correct level.
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13. How to know my level?
We recommend to play a few games with AI (ONE PLAYER mode). If you can only win when AI level is 4 or below, choose ‘Beginner’ level. If you can win only when AI level is below 8, choose ‘Intermediate’ level. If you can win AI on all levels, choose ‘Advanced’ level.
In the near future, we plan to implement the scoring system to assess the skill level more precisely.
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We recommend to play a few games with AI (ONE PLAYER mode). If you can only win when AI level is 4 or below, choose ‘Beginner’ level. If you can win only when AI level is below 8, choose ‘Intermediate’ level. If you can win AI on all levels, choose ‘Advanced’ level.
In the near future, we plan to implement the scoring system to assess the skill level more precisely.
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14. Can I play a game with time control?
You can either play a game without time control or activate a game with time control options below:
When your opponent has run out of time to make their next move, the game is terminated and you win. The game is ended automatically either by your opponent’s device, or Game Center in case when your opponent was offline or opponent’s device has incorrect time settings. If your opponent is offline, it can take up to 30 seconds to update the match outcome in the Game Center interface.
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You can either play a game without time control or activate a game with time control options below:
- 'Blitz': 10 minutes per player, plus 5 seconds per move
- ‘Rapid’: 30 minutes per player, plus 10 seconds per move
- ‘Standard’: 60 minutes per player, plus 10 seconds per move
When your opponent has run out of time to make their next move, the game is terminated and you win. The game is ended automatically either by your opponent’s device, or Game Center in case when your opponent was offline or opponent’s device has incorrect time settings. If your opponent is offline, it can take up to 30 seconds to update the match outcome in the Game Center interface.
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15. Why does each player have a bonus of 5/10 seconds per move when I play a game with time control?
We know that every player has different Internet speed and that the game server may be busy during the peak hours.
There may be some time lag between the time when you make a move and the time when the server gets your move. There might also be some time lag when the server pushes the new move to your opponent’s device. It takes about second to animate the player’s move.
To compensate that, we give you extra 5/10 seconds per your move.
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We know that every player has different Internet speed and that the game server may be busy during the peak hours.
There may be some time lag between the time when you make a move and the time when the server gets your move. There might also be some time lag when the server pushes the new move to your opponent’s device. It takes about second to animate the player’s move.
To compensate that, we give you extra 5/10 seconds per your move.
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16. If I upgrade my free app to Pro (paid) version, will I be able to play with a player who still use a free version of Chess Prime 3D?
Yes. Both Free and Pro versions have the common pool of players. When you activate a new match with a random player, the Game Center may choose a player that has either the Free version or Pro version.
If you invite your friend from Pro version and your friend wants to play with Free version, ask first your friend to download and install Chess Prime 3D. Otherwise they will get an App Store link to the Pro version.
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Yes. Both Free and Pro versions have the common pool of players. When you activate a new match with a random player, the Game Center may choose a player that has either the Free version or Pro version.
If you invite your friend from Pro version and your friend wants to play with Free version, ask first your friend to download and install Chess Prime 3D. Otherwise they will get an App Store link to the Pro version.
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17. How is it determined who makes the first turn?
When the game server finds new players, each player’s device generates a random number. The device with the highest number plays with white pieces and moves first. It doesn’t matter who activates the game first, each player has equal chance to play with white/black pieces.
We may add a new communication feature like ‘Request to change piece color’. So if you don’t like playing white or black pieces, and your opponent doesn’t mind to change their piece colour, you will be able to play as you like.
At this stage, you have options to start a new match with a random player, or rematch with an existing opponent. Every time you rematch the app changes the piece color.
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When the game server finds new players, each player’s device generates a random number. The device with the highest number plays with white pieces and moves first. It doesn’t matter who activates the game first, each player has equal chance to play with white/black pieces.
We may add a new communication feature like ‘Request to change piece color’. So if you don’t like playing white or black pieces, and your opponent doesn’t mind to change their piece colour, you will be able to play as you like.
At this stage, you have options to start a new match with a random player, or rematch with an existing opponent. Every time you rematch the app changes the piece color.
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18. Will the game server always find a player for me?
Eventually each player will find an opponent. It’s just a matter of time. There are different factors here:
Geography.
The app is being used by nearly one million people from different countries / regions, however it’s not equally distributed across all time zones. For some players it may take longer time to find the opponent than for others.
Game settings for a new match.
Each player has options to play a game with different skill level or time-control settings. Each combination of these settings has a different popularity, so for some combinations it make take longer time to find a player for you.
If you can’t find a player, try different settings.
New release / version.
Each player may use different versions of application. We try the best to support compatibility between different app versions. However it’s not guaranteed. There is a chance that your app is outdated and it’s no longer compatible with the newer versions, so please make sure you always use the latest version.
If a new version is not compatible with the old one, it may take a few days when most users update their app, so for the first days (transition period) it may take longer time to find the opponent.
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Eventually each player will find an opponent. It’s just a matter of time. There are different factors here:
Geography.
The app is being used by nearly one million people from different countries / regions, however it’s not equally distributed across all time zones. For some players it may take longer time to find the opponent than for others.
Game settings for a new match.
Each player has options to play a game with different skill level or time-control settings. Each combination of these settings has a different popularity, so for some combinations it make take longer time to find a player for you.
If you can’t find a player, try different settings.
New release / version.
Each player may use different versions of application. We try the best to support compatibility between different app versions. However it’s not guaranteed. There is a chance that your app is outdated and it’s no longer compatible with the newer versions, so please make sure you always use the latest version.
If a new version is not compatible with the old one, it may take a few days when most users update their app, so for the first days (transition period) it may take longer time to find the opponent.
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19. I got “Server is not responding” error when the game was going to end. Why does it happen?
You may see that message when your opponent ran out of time and the app tried to end the game. There are multiple reasons to have that error:
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You may see that message when your opponent ran out of time and the app tried to end the game. There are multiple reasons to have that error:
- The local device time is incorrect. A game with time control is always terminated by server. When opponent’s time is “00:00”, the app expects to get a message from the server about expired game. If the local device time is incorrect, it doesn’t get that message (because the game is still in progress) and you see that error. To fix the local device time, go to ‘Settings / General / Date & Time’ and enable ‘Set Automatically’.
- The Internet connection is down.
- The server is busy or temporary down.
- Your opponent had less than 10 seconds left before you submitted your last turn AND the opponent is offline. In this case, it may take 20-30 seconds to end the game by the server. You don’t need to do anything in this case. Just ignore the error, and the game will be ended soon.
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20. I play a game with time control. Can my opponent change their device time to adjust the timer / terminate the game early / add extra time for a move?
No. The app was designed to prevent that. Each move is controlled by the server, so if a device has incorrect time settings, it is not possible to end the game early when a player still has a time to make a move. The only issue that can happen is that a player with incorrect device time may see incorrect timer value for both players and the error message may be shown when a device expects to end the game.
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No. The app was designed to prevent that. Each move is controlled by the server, so if a device has incorrect time settings, it is not possible to end the game early when a player still has a time to make a move. The only issue that can happen is that a player with incorrect device time may see incorrect timer value for both players and the error message may be shown when a device expects to end the game.
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21. I play a game with time control. What happens when a player becomes offline / inactive?
If a player doesn’t resign or delete the game using the game interface, and leaves the app, the turn will be passed to another player when the player runs out of time. So each game will be ended eventually. The waiting player will get a Game Center Notification when the opponent’s turn is expired or when the opponent made a move.
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If a player doesn’t resign or delete the game using the game interface, and leaves the app, the turn will be passed to another player when the player runs out of time. So each game will be ended eventually. The waiting player will get a Game Center Notification when the opponent’s turn is expired or when the opponent made a move.
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22. I don’t want to play Live Chess. Is there an option not to respond to the invites / game requests?
Yes. You have a checkbox to disable the Live Chess functionality. If you disable Live Chess:
Also you can disable Game Center notifications for the app in the device settings.
You can re-enable Live Chess at any time - just uncheck that box.
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Yes. You have a checkbox to disable the Live Chess functionality. If you disable Live Chess:
- the app won’t respond to any Game Center invites
- you won’t be able to play existing games and see completed matches
- you won’t be able to activate a new match
- you won't see “Sign In” on your screen if you’re not authenticated to Game Center
- you won’t see the message “Welcome back” from Game Center when you start the app
Also you can disable Game Center notifications for the app in the device settings.
You can re-enable Live Chess at any time - just uncheck that box.
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23. I still could not find the answer to my question. What can I do?
There are multiple options for you.
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There are multiple options for you.
- You can open our Contact Form and send us a message. We will reply to you as soon as possible and/or add that question with answer to this page
- You can leave a review at the App Store if you think your information will be useful for other users. Tap ‘More games’ or 'Rate' button on the main screen to open the App Store page.
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