Everything an app should do, in the browser
No app store, no install, no updates. ChessHost works instantly on whatever device you have.
Works on Any Phone
It runs in the browser, so it works on iPhone, Android, tablets, and laptops with nothing to download or update.
Automatic Pairings
Swiss, Round Robin, and Knockout pairings are generated each round, with byes handled automatically for odd player counts.
Live Standings
Results and rankings update automatically after every round, so the leaderboard is always accurate in your hand.
TV Display
Cast pairings and standings to a TV or projector with one link, in several clean visual themes.
An app without the app store
Most tournament apps mean a download, an account, and an update before you can even start. ChessHost skips all of that. It runs in your browser, so there is nothing to install, no spreadsheet, and no arbiter knowledge required. Create the event, share a QR code for sign-ups, and the app pairs the rounds and tracks the scores for you.
Because it is web-based, the same link works on a phone in the room and a laptop at the desk, with nothing to keep in sync. And because the essentials are free forever with no credit card, you can run a full event without ever reaching for a payment form.
Open the chess tournament app free
Set up your tournament in under two minutes, right in your browser. No download, no account needed to start.
Launch ChessHostFrequently asked questions
Is there a free chess tournament app?
Yes. ChessHost is a free chess tournament app that runs in your browser with nothing to download. It offers QR sign-up, automatic pairings, results, live standings, and a TV display. It is free forever, with no credit card and no signup to try.
Do I need to download the chess tournament app?
No. ChessHost is web-based, so you just open it in any browser on a phone, tablet, or laptop. There is no app store download, no install, and no updates to manage.
Can I run a chess tournament from my phone?
Yes. ChessHost is fully mobile-friendly, so you can create the tournament, manage pairings, and record results entirely from a smartphone or tablet.
Is the app really free?
Yes. ChessHost is free forever for events up to 15 players, with no credit card. Larger events of 16 or more players use a one-time tournament credit, with no subscription.