Chess bots are AI opponents that provide consistent, calibrated practice at any skill level. Unlike human opponents who vary wildly in strength, each bot plays at a specific ELO rating every single game. Beat a 1400 bot, and you know you can handle that level. Struggle against a stronger one? You've found your training target.
Our 11 chess bots range from 400 ELO (complete beginner) to 3600 ELO (full Stockfish strength). Each bot is powered by Stockfish 17, the world's strongest chess engine, with carefully calibrated strength settings that create realistic opponents at every level.
Each bot has a unique personality and playing style based on their rating level:
Wobble
400 ELO
Complete beginner bot. Makes major blunders, hangs pieces, misses obvious threats. Perfect for learning basics.
Blinky
800 ELO
Casual player level. Understands basic rules but makes frequent tactical mistakes. Good for new players.
Gizmo
1100 ELO
Average casual player. Sees simple tactics but misses complex ones. Starting to defend better.
Sparky
1400 ELO
Club player level. Solid basics, occasionally finds tactics. Real challenge for intermediate players.
Bolt
1700 ELO
Strong club player. Good tactical vision, understands positional concepts. Rarely blunders.
Nova
2000 ELO
Expert level. Excellent tactics, solid openings, strong endgame technique. Very difficult to beat.
Phantom
2300 ELO
Master level. Deep calculation, professional-quality play. Punishes every mistake.
Titan
2600 ELO
Super-GM level. Near-perfect play in all phases. Only the strongest players can compete.
MagnusPremium
2900 ELO
World champion level. Named after the GOAT. Virtually flawless play.
DemonPremium
3190 ELO
Beyond human capability. Engine-level strength. Plays like a superhuman.
SalazarPremium
3600 ELO
Full Stockfish strength. The strongest chess entity on Earth. You will not win.
How Chess Bot Ratings Work
Our bots use two different methods to achieve accurate strength levels:
UCI_Elo (1320-3190 ELO)
Stockfish 17 includes a UCI_Elo parameter that precisely limits engine strength. When set to 1400, the engine plays exactly like a 1400-rated player—finding appropriate tactics but missing deeper combinations. This creates incredibly realistic opponents for intermediate to advanced players.
Skill Level (400-1100 ELO)
For beginner bots below UCI_Elo's minimum, we use skill level settings with controlled randomness. These bots intentionally make mistakes—hanging pieces, missing obvious threats, playing suboptimal moves. This simulates how real beginners play, making them perfect practice partners for new players.
Chess Bots by Difficulty Level
Beginner Bots (400-1100 ELO)
Wobble, Blinky, Gizmo: Perfect for new players learning the game. These bots make significant mistakes—hanging pieces, missing one-move tactics, poor piece development. You'll learn to punish errors and build confidence.
Intermediate Bots (1400-1700 ELO)
Sparky, Bolt: Club player strength. These bots play solid chess, find 2-3 move tactics, and rarely hang pieces. They'll challenge you to play accurately and punish your mistakes while still being beatable.
Advanced Bots (2000-2600 ELO)
Nova, Phantom, Titan: Expert to Super-GM level. Deep calculation, solid opening preparation, excellent endgame technique. Only experienced players will consistently beat these bots. Titan (2600) is stronger than most human players on Earth.
Elite Bots (2900-3190 ELO) - Premium
Magnus, Demon: World champion to superhuman level. These bots play beyond human capability. Even titled players struggle against them. For testing yourself against near-perfect opposition.
Legendary Bot (3600 ELO) - Premium
Salazar: Full Stockfish 17 strength. The strongest chess entity in existence. Rated over 3500 ELO—600+ points above the best human. You will not win. But you'll learn what perfect chess looks like.
How to Choose the Right Chess Bot
Selecting the right opponent is crucial for improvement. Here's how to pick:
Know your rating: Take our ELO test if you don't know your level.
Start 100-300 points higher: A slightly stronger opponent provides optimal challenge without being demoralizing.
Win rate sweet spot: You should win 30-50% of games. More than 60%? Move up. Less than 20%? Move down.
Adjust based on time control: You might handle a 1400 bot in rapid but struggle in blitz. Factor in your time management.
Why Practice Against Chess Bots?
Bots offer several advantages over human opponents:
Consistent Strength
A 1400 bot always plays like a 1400. Humans vary based on mood, fatigue, and luck. Bots provide a stable benchmark for measuring your progress.
Available 24/7
No waiting for opponents, no time zone issues, no disconnects. Practice whenever you want, as much as you want.
Immediate Analysis
After bot games, instantly review with our AI analyzer. Understand exactly where you went wrong.
No Psychological Pressure
Bots don't trash-talk, don't tilt you with fast moves, and don't care if you take back moves while learning. Stress-free practice.
Opening Practice
Test new openings against calibrated opposition. See how your lines hold up at specific rating levels before playing them against humans.
Chess Bot Training Routine
Maximize improvement with this structured approach:
Warm up with puzzles: Spend 10-15 minutes on tactical puzzles before playing.
Play one serious game: Choose a bot slightly above your level. Play with a clock, think on every move.
Analyze the game: Use the AI analyzer to review every move.
Note your mistakes: Write down patterns you notice. Do you always blunder in time pressure? Miss back-rank mates?
Repeat with next bot: Once you hit 60%+ win rate, move to the next level.
Free vs Premium Chess Bots
Most players will never need premium bots:
8 Free Bots (400-2600 ELO)
Wobble through Titan cover all practical training levels. 99% of players are below 2600, so these bots provide challenging opposition for everyone except masters.
3 Premium Bots (2900-3600 ELO)
Magnus, Demon, and Salazar are for advanced players who've mastered the free bots. If you can beat Titan consistently, upgrade to face superhuman opposition.
Start Playing Chess Bots Now
Ready to find your perfect training partner? Head to our bot selection page, pick an opponent at your level, and start improving.
Not sure which bot to choose? Take our ELO test first to estimate your rating, then challenge the bot 100-300 points above you.
Chess Bots - FAQ
What is a chess bot?
A chess bot is an AI opponent powered by a chess engine. Our bots use Stockfish 17, the world's strongest engine, adjusted to play at specific rating levels for consistent, realistic practice.
How are chess bot ratings determined?
Bots rated 1320-3190 ELO use Stockfish's UCI_Elo parameter for precise strength control. Lower-rated bots (400-1100) use skill level settings with controlled randomness to simulate beginner mistakes.
Which chess bot should I start with?
Choose a bot 100-300 points above your current rating. If you're a complete beginner, start with Wobble (400) or Blinky (800). Take our ELO test if you're unsure of your level.
Do chess bots play like humans?
Higher-level bots play nearly perfect chess. Lower-level bots intentionally make human-like mistakes—hanging pieces, missing tactics, making positional errors. This makes them realistic practice partners.
Can I beat the strongest chess bot?
Salazar (3600 ELO) plays at full Stockfish strength—stronger than any human. Even Magnus Carlsen couldn't beat it. The Elite bots (2900-3190) are also beyond human capability.
Are premium bots worth it?
If you're rated above 2500, the Elite and Legendary bots provide challenging opponents you can't find elsewhere. For most players, the 8 free bots (400-2600) cover all necessary training levels.
How do chess bots help me improve?
Bots provide consistent opposition at your level. Unlike humans who vary in skill, a 1400 bot always plays like a 1400. This lets you identify patterns in your play and work on specific weaknesses.
Can I analyze games against chess bots?
Yes! After every bot game, use our AI Game Analyzer to review your moves. See where you made mistakes and what you should have played differently.
Why do lower-rated bots make mistakes?
We intentionally program beginner bots to make typical amateur errors—hanging pieces, missing one-move threats, poor piece development. This creates realistic training opponents for new players.
How often are chess bots updated?
Our bots run on Stockfish 17, updated with the latest NNUE neural network technology. The engine strength calibration is regularly tested to ensure accurate ELO representation.
Play Chess Bots Free
Pick your opponent and start—no registration required.
