Fair play and chess helpers: what is allowed and what is not
Using a chess helper on a finished game, an analysis board, a study or a game against a computer is allowed. Using one while a game against another person is in progress is not allowed on Chess.com or Lichess, and it is forbidden in over-the-board tournaments under FIDE and US Chess rules. Breaking these rules gets online accounts closed and tournament games forfeited.
We make ChessHelper (chesshelper.ai), a browser extension that works on Chess.com and Lichess, so we have a direct interest in people using helpers the right way. ChessHelper's own guidance rules out rated play; this page goes further, because Chess.com's policy also covers unrated games against people. Below, each platform's rule is summarized from its own published policy, with a link so you can read the original.
Chess.com
The Chess.com Fair Play Policy is the most detailed of the major sites. It tells players not to use chess engines, software of any kind, bots, plugins or browser extensions to analyze positions during play, and not to get help from any other person, including parents, friends and coaches. It also bans tablebases and other resources that show the best move, and automated analysis of games in progress. These rules apply to Live and Daily chess against other users.
There are a few clear exceptions. In Daily (correspondence-style) chess, you may use the Opening Explorer and opening books. The policy does not apply to games that are not against other users, such as games against Chess.com's computer opponents. Content creators can request exceptions for specific unrated or content accounts, arranged with Chess.com in advance.
Reviewing a game after it ends is what Chess.com's own Game Review and analysis tools are for, so post-game analysis is normal practice. The line is the moment the game ends: before that, no help; after it, any help you like.
Lichess
The Lichess Terms of Service prohibit any external assistance while a game you are involved in is ongoing. Its examples include using a chess engine, opening books or endgame tablebases, and receiving move recommendations from another person or software, including comments from viewers while streaming. Lichess also reserves the right to treat certain software or extensions as prohibited at its discretion.
Lichess has one written exception: in correspondence games only, you may use the Lichess opening explorer and other chess books or opening databases. Its free analysis board, server analysis and studies exist for reviewing games once they are over, and that use is what they are built for.
Over-the-board tournaments: FIDE and US Chess
In rated over-the-board play, the rules are stricter still. The FIDE Laws of Chess, Article 11.3, say that during play players are forbidden to use any notes, sources of information or advice, or to analyze any game on another chessboard. A player may not have any electronic device not approved by the arbiter in the playing venue during a game; event rules may allow a device stored in a bag if it is completely switched off. If a player clearly has such a device on them, the player loses the game, although an event's regulations can set a lighter penalty.
US Chess tournaments follow the US Chess Official Rules of Chess. Rule 20 covers conduct during play: soliciting or using advice is prohibited, notes are restricted, and electronic communication devices are limited in the playing area. Local organizers often add their own device policies, so read the event's rules before you arrive.
What is allowed and what is not, at a glance
The table sums up the published rules above. When in doubt, the safe answer is that a helper belongs after the game, not during it.
| Situation | Chess.com | Lichess | Over the board (FIDE, US Chess) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rated game against a person, helper on | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| Unrated or casual game against a person, helper on | Not allowed (unless an approved content exception) | Not allowed | Not applicable; casual games follow whatever both players agree |
| Game against the site's computer | Allowed (policy covers games against users) | Terms cover any game you are involved in; keep helpers for the analysis board | Not applicable |
| Opening books or explorer in correspondence/Daily games | Allowed in Daily chess | Allowed in correspondence games | Not applicable |
| Reviewing a finished game with an engine | Normal use (Game Review) | Normal use (analysis board) | Allowed after the game, outside the playing venue's rules |
| Analysis board, studies, puzzles | Allowed | Allowed | Allowed away from play |
Why the rules are strict
Online chess depends on trust that the person across the board is playing alone. Ratings, prizes and titled events all rest on that. A single engine move at the right moment can decide a game, so platforms treat any help during play as a serious breach, not a gray area. Chess.com and Lichess both enforce fair play and close accounts that break the rules.
There is a personal reason too. Your rating is only useful as a measure of your own skill. If a helper took part in your games, you lose the honest feedback that tells you what to study.
How to use a helper the right way
Keep a clean line between playing and studying. Close or disable any analysis extension before you start a game against another person, and turn it back on only when the game is over. Review every finished game, focusing on the moments where the evaluation swings. Use the strength setting, where your helper has one, to get suggestions you can understand. Practice openings in an analysis board or study, and test them in real games without help.
If you use ChessHelper, its autoplay and human-like settings are features to leave off. They do nothing for learning, and using them in games against people breaks the rules above. Our ChessHelper review explains what the useful features are, and the beginner guide gives a full review routine.
If you are accused of using outside help
Both Chess.com and Lichess have support channels for fair-play questions. If your account is flagged and you believe it is a mistake, contact the platform's support through its official help pages and explain your situation. Do not open new accounts to get around a closure. The best protection is simple: no helper running while a game against a person is in progress.