How Kinglet works
Look for yourself first, then check.
Beginner games are rarely lost because of a bad plan. Usually a piece gets overlooked or a check gets missed. Kinglet Chess helps you get used to asking six simple questions before every move. The tutor’s traffic light then shows you whether you found everything.
What Kinglet does differently
Many chess sites show you an evaluation bar, engine lines and the best move right away. That is convenient, but mostly you learn to read numbers.
Think first, then check
In every new position the tutor is hidden. You think it through yourself and then open the tutor to check your idea.
Six questions, no numbers
You won’t see values like +1.3 or long engine lines. The traffic light shows checks, captures and threats, the things beginners miss most often.
A rating before you move
You find out how good your move is before you play it, so you can still change your mind.
Go back and replay
If you went wrong, you jump back to the move where the game turned and play on from there.
The traffic light
Six questions before every move
Three questions are about your own pieces and three about your opponent’s. If you ask them before every move, you will make far fewer big mistakes.
Tap a lamp.
Your side · Capture
Can one of my pieces be captured?
Red means a piece is undefended and can simply be taken. Yellow means it is attacked but defended, so it would be a trade.
The colours
- red: hanging!
- yellow: defended
- green: safe
Your sideWhat threatens me?
If you are in check, you have to deal with it. Yellow means your opponent can give check on their next move.
Red means a piece is undefended and can simply be taken. Yellow means it is attacked but defended, so it would be a trade.
This is looking one move ahead. Forks and attacks on undefended pieces often show up on this lamp first.
OpponentWhat are my chances?
A check forces your opponent to respond. If the lamp is red, you can even checkmate.
Red means you win material because the piece is undefended or worth more than yours. Yellow means a trade. Count whether it works out for you.
A threat puts your opponent under pressure. They have to look after their piece first.
How to use the traffic light
- Check for yourselfNext to the board you see the moves first; the traffic light stays closed. Go through the six questions in your head and pick a move.
- Open the traffic lightTap “Traffic light” and compare. Did you spot every red and yellow lamp? Tap a lamp and the board shows the pieces involved. After your move it closes again.
- Get your move ratedMove your piece. The tutor rates the move from 0 to 100. Then you tell Kinglet whether to play it.
Next best move
Learning which moves are good
Every move you pick is rated by the tutor before it is played. You see a score from 0 to 100, a label from “Best move” to “Blunder” and how your win chance changes.
If you are not happy with it, go back and try another move. After three different tries of your own, “Next best move” unlocks. The tutor then shows you what it would play.
- You can compare your own ideas with each other.
- Over time you notice which kinds of moves are good or bad.
- You only see the best move after you have looked for it yourself.
Jump back
One move can decide a game
The tutor shows your win chance after every move. Where the chart drops sharply, the game turned.
Tap that bar to jump back to the position. The tutor shows which move would have been better. With “Take back” you play on from there and see how differently the game can go.
- This works while your game against the computer is still running, even if it already looks lost.
- All later moves are removed and it is your turn again.
- After the game you can request an analysis that shows you the key moments.
Cost, accounts and your data
Learning chess with Kinglet will always be free. Any future paid extras will neither replace nor block free access to learning. Fixed sponsor spaces help fund the site.
Lessons, puzzles and computer games need no sign-up. Games against other people require a verified account and a public player name.
Your first computer game starts with Pawn I and the tutor selected. Choices you make later are remembered. If Pawn I is not offered here, the gentlest available level is selected instead.
As a guest, your learning progress is saved only in this browser. Clearing browser data or switching devices means it is unavailable. With an account, progress syncs across devices and is visible only to you.
Computer games can be viewed through their address and public lists. Games against other people, PGN and post-game analysis are accessible within Kinglet only to the two players. Your public player name is shown to other players.
More about Kinglet and its funding →
Have fun with Kinglet!
You don’t need an account. You can try lessons, puzzles and games against the computer right away. Keep the tutor switched on for your first games and ask yourself the six questions before every move.