Board games online: checkers, chess, backgammon, dominoes and Battleship

Board games online need no board, no pieces and no one at the table: your opponent can be the computer, a friend next to you or a player across the network. Every game here is free and opens in the browser with no sign-up.

Chess Deluxe lets you play a friend in an online room, share one device or take on the Stockfish engine at levels from beginner to grandmaster. Checkers online follows Russian rules on an 8×8 board: a computer opponent on three levels, two players on one screen, giveaway and online games with a friend via a room code.

Backgammon comes in long and short versions, against the computer or a second player on the same device. Dominoes combines classic double-six against the computer, Goat for four players with bots and an online match with a friend. In Battleship each side has a 10×10 grid and ten ships, and you can play the computer, share one device or go online with a room code or link.

The rules are the classic ones everywhere, so you can sit down and play straight away. If you have forgotten them, backgammon highlights legal moves and Battleship can suggest the best shot.