A chess night that runs itself
ChessHost handles sign-ups, pairings, and scores so you can pull pints, not wrangle spreadsheets.
QR Code Sign-Up
Regulars and walk-ins join by scanning one QR code on the table or screen. No app, no account, no paper list.
Automatic Pairings
Swiss pairings mean nobody is knocked out, so everyone plays every round. Byes are handled automatically for odd numbers.
Live Standings
Scores and rankings update after every round, so the leaderboard is always current and the room can see who is winning.
Pub TV Display
Put pairings and standings on the venue TV with one link, in a bold theme that reads from across a noisy room.
Built for pub hosts, not arbiters
A pub chess night should be fun to host, not a second job. ChessHost is built for exactly that. There is no install, no spreadsheet, and no chess-arbiter knowledge required. Create the event in two minutes, let players self-register from their phones, and the software pairs the rounds and tracks the scores for you.
It runs in any browser on a phone, tablet, or laptop, so you can run the whole night from behind the bar. And because it is free to start with no credit card needed, you can host a weekly chess night without it costing the pub a penny. Free for events up to 9 players. Events with 10 or more players use a one-time tournament credit from $1.99.
Host your next chess night free
Set up your pub chess tournament in under two minutes. No download and no credit card. Just a free account to get started.
Launch ChessHostFrequently asked questions
What is the best way to run a pub chess tournament?
Use free software like ChessHost. Players scan a QR code to join from their phones, the Swiss system pairs every round so nobody is eliminated, scores update automatically, and the standings show on the pub TV. Events up to 9 players are free with no credit card needed. Larger events of 10 or more players use a one-time tournament credit from $1.99.
How do players join a pub chess night?
You display one QR code on a table tent or the TV. Players scan it, type their name, and they are in. There is no app to download and no account to create, which keeps things fast for walk-ins.
Which format works best for a pub chess tournament?
Swiss is ideal for casual pub nights because nobody is knocked out, everyone keeps playing every round, and it works for any number of players. ChessHost also supports Round Robin and Knockout if you prefer.
Is it really free to run a pub chess tournament?
Yes. ChessHost is free forever for events up to 9 players, with no credit card. Bigger nights of 10 or more players use a one-time tournament credit.