Lichess.org has become a powerhouse in the world of online chess, quietly redefining how millions engage with the game. In a competitive landscape dominated by Chess.com and the Internet Chess Club (ICC), Lichess offers something rare: a fully free, ad-free, and open-source platform with no paywalls. But how does it compare to its rivals, and how does it sustain itself financially? Let’s take a closer look:

🎯 What Makes Lichess.org Stand Out?

✅ Free, Ad-Free, and Open Source

Lichess is entirely free to use with zero advertisements. Unlike commercial platforms, its code is open source, allowing anyone to contribute, verify, or enhance the platform. This transparency builds trust and fosters constant innovation.

🛠️ Full Feature Set Without Paywalls

Lichess offers everything upfront:

• Bullet, blitz, classical, and correspondence games
• Chess variants like Crazyhouse, Atomic, and Chess960
• Puzzle training, full Stockfish-powered analysis, opening explorer, and learning studies
• Accessibility tools supporting visually impaired players

Every tool is available to every user—no subscriptions, no hidden tiers.

👤 My Personal Experience on Lichess

As someone who plays under the username RYGB, I’ve found moderate success on Lichess and thoroughly enjoy the experience. The interface feels modern and intuitive—not at all outdated like ICC’s. I particularly appreciate the absence of a tier system; everything I need to improve and enjoy the game is already available without extra payment.

Another standout aspect is how actively the Lichess developers keep the community informed, posting regular updates about feature enhancements, tournaments, and future plans. It reinforces a sense of belonging to a living, evolving project—not just a static service.

💰 How Lichess Stays Free

Lichess operates as a non-profit organization, sustained primarily by:

• Donations: About 95% of the revenue comes from users contributing voluntarily.
• Merchandise and streaming: A minor portion comes from branded products and Twitch subscriptions.

The organization runs leanly, with just one paid employee and a passionate team of volunteers maintaining and evolving the site.

⚔️ Lichess vs Chess.com vs ICC

Platform	Strengths	Weaknesses
Lichess	Free, open-source, no ads, full feature access	Smaller player pool than Chess.com, volunteer-based support
Chess.com	Massive user base, extensive lessons and puzzles, regular big events	Ads and feature limits unless subscribed
ICC	Long-standing reputation, home to titled players	Dated interface, subscription-based, declining user base

🧮 Rating Systems

• Lichess uses Glicko-2, providing a highly responsive and accurate rating experience.
• Chess.com employs Glicko-1, an earlier version.
• ICC uses its own Elo-based system.

It’s important to note: ratings are not directly comparable across platforms because each system and player pool differs.

🌐 Growing Popularity and Community Loyalty

Although Lichess may not match Chess.com’s sheer numbers, it has built a fiercely loyal community. Its dedication to ethical, open, and inclusive access to chess makes it a magnet for players who value more than just entertainment.

🏁 Final Thoughts

Lichess.org isn’t just another chess server—it’s a movement. It shows that a community-driven, donation-supported platform can rival the giants without compromising its principles. For players like myself who seek quality chess without commercial noise, Lichess stands above the rest.