Lichess Swiss tournaments are a great free way to run a proper Swiss online. But they have rules that surprise people, starting with the fact that you cannot create one without a team. And if your players are sitting in the same classroom or club room, there is a better way to run it. This guide explains exactly how a Lichess Swiss works, and when an in-person tool fits better.
How a Lichess Swiss works: only team leaders can create one, only team members can play, pairings use the FIDE Dutch system, and ties are broken by Sonneborn-Berger.
For a school or club where everyone is in the same room, ChessHost runs the Swiss on real boards: players join by QR code, pairings go on the TV, and you can still send a few boards to Lichess if you want. Free for one event a month of up to 12 players.
How a Lichess Swiss Tournament Works
Lichess runs two kinds of tournament: Arena and Swiss. In a Swiss, everyone plays the same number of games, you never meet the same opponent twice, and each round waits for every game to finish before the next starts. Lichess itself says this makes it a good option for clubs and official tournaments.
- Teams only. Lichess Swiss tournaments can only be created by team leaders and only played by team members. Lichess says this is because a Swiss needs punctuality and patience, which a team is more likely to give.
- Pairings. The Dutch system, implemented by bbPairings, following the FIDE handbook.
- Scoring. 1 for a win, half for a draw, 0 for a loss. A player who cannot be paired gets a 1-point bye.
- Tiebreak. Sonneborn-Berger: add the scores of every opponent you beat and half the score of every opponent you drew.
- Early draws. Players cannot agree a draw before move 30.
- Late joining. Allowed until more than half the rounds have started, with a single half-point bye.
- No-shows. If a player does not move, their clock runs out, they lose, and they are withdrawn. Lichess also temporarily stops repeat no-shows from joining new Swiss events.
Lichess Swiss vs Arena
| Arena | Swiss | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | Fixed number of minutes | Fixed number of rounds |
| Games | As many as fit in the time | Everyone plays the same number |
| Waiting | Fast, no waiting for others | Waits for every game to finish |
| Same opponent twice | Possible, not in a row | Never |
| Who can enter | Anyone | Team members only |
How to Create a Swiss Tournament on Lichess
- Create a team (or become a leader of one) on Lichess. Every player will need a Lichess account and must join the team.
- From the team page, create a Swiss tournament. Only team leaders see this option.
- Choose the settings: the clock, the number of rounds and when it starts.
- Share the link with the team so players can join before it starts.
Not sure how many rounds to pick? The free Swiss rounds calculator tells you in seconds.
Using a Lichess Swiss for a School or Club
Lichess is free and its Swiss pairings are sound. For a school or club where everyone is in the same room, though, playing online has costs:
- Every player needs an account and a device. For a class of children that means accounts, logins and a screen each.
- Everyone joins a team first. One more step before anyone can play.
- Kids are on screens, not boards. Many teachers want pupils handling real pieces and shaking hands across a table.
If your players are in the room, it is usually simpler to play on real boards and let software run the tournament around them.
Run a Swiss on Real Boards with ChessHost
ChessHost is school chess software that runs an over-the-board Swiss for you, made for teachers and club volunteers who have never run a tournament.
- No player accounts. Pupils scan a QR code and type their name. No app, no login, no email.
- Pairings on the classroom screen. The TV display shows pairings and live standings on any screen or projector, including a Kids theme.
- Same fair Swiss. No repeat opponents, balanced colours, fair byes, with Buchholz, Sonneborn-Berger and head-to-head tiebreaks explained in plain words.
- Certificates. PDF certificates for every pupil at the end, free.
- Lessons too. Ready-made chess lessons on the same screen: Basics free, the rest with Pro.
Still Want Some Games on Lichess?
You can mix both. Switch on online boards in ChessHost and tap "Online" under any board to send that game to Lichess. Players get a White link and a Black link, no Lichess account is needed, and the result comes back to your standings on its own. These games use your event's time control, are unrated, and the links are not private, so this is for friendly events, not where anti-cheating matters. It is handy for a pupil off sick at home or a club member who cannot make it in. Our guide to adding online players to a chess tournament walks through it.
Lichess Swiss vs ChessHost
| Feature | Lichess Swiss | ChessHost |
|---|---|---|
| Where games are played | Online, on Lichess | Real boards; optional Lichess boards |
| Player accounts | Lichess account and team membership | None: scan a QR code |
| Price | Free | Free for 1 event a month up to 12 players; Pro $7 a month |
| Tiebreaks | Sonneborn-Berger | Buchholz, Sonneborn-Berger, head-to-head |
| Venue TV display | Tournament page in a browser | Yes, four themes |
| Certificates | No | Yes, PDF |
| Best for | Online club and team events | Schools and clubs playing in the same room |
Use a Lichess Swiss If
Your players are in different places, they already have Lichess accounts, and the event is online.
Use ChessHost If
Your players are in the same room, you want real boards, no accounts for kids, pairings on a screen and certificates at the end.
Run Your School Swiss Free
No download. No credit card. Create a free account and go. Players join by QR code, no app and no account.
Launch ChessHostFrequently Asked Questions
How do I create a Swiss tournament on Lichess?
You need to be a leader of a Lichess team. From the team page, create a Swiss tournament and choose the clock, the number of rounds and the start time. Only members of that team can play in it.
Why are Lichess Swiss tournaments only for teams?
Lichess says Swiss tournaments demand punctuality, dedication and patience, because each round waits for every game to finish, and those conditions are more likely to be met within a team than in a global tournament.
How are ties broken in a Lichess Swiss?
With the Sonneborn-Berger score: add the scores of every opponent the player beat and half the score of every opponent they drew.
Can I use Lichess for a school chess tournament?
Yes, if every pupil has a Lichess account and a device and joins your team. If your pupils are in the same room, a tool like ChessHost is simpler: they play on real boards, join by QR code with no account, and see pairings on the classroom screen.
Can ChessHost send games to Lichess?
Yes. Switch on online boards and tap Online under any board. Each player gets a link, no Lichess account is needed, and the finished result is scored automatically. These games are unrated and the links are not private, so it is for friendly events.
Do pupils need an account to join a ChessHost event?
No. Pupils scan a QR code or open a link and type their name, with no app and no account. Only the teacher or organiser creates a free account.