Quick Answer — How do I join a tournament on Lichess as a beginner? Joining a Lichess tournament is free and takes less than two minutes. First, create a free account at lichess.org. Then open the tournament link (shared by your coach, your WhatsApp group, or found under Play → Tournaments), click the green Join button, and wait in the lobby — your first game will start automatically when the tournament begins. There is no download, no payment, and no previous tournament experience required, which makes Lichess perfect for kids and parents starting their online chess journey.
What You Need Before You Start (Free Lichess Account)
Before you can join any chess tournament on Lichess, you only need two things:
- A free Lichess account — Lichess is 100% free, with no subscriptions or hidden fees.
- A device with internet — a laptop, desktop, tablet, or smartphone all work perfectly.
How to Create Your Free Lichess Account
- Go to lichess.org in any web browser.
- Click Sign up in the top-right corner.
- Choose a username (this is the name other players will see — a fun chess nickname is ideal).
- Enter a password and, optionally, an email address (recommended for password recovery).
- Click Register. Your free Lichess account is ready to use immediately.
Parent tip: you do not need to use your child’s real name on Lichess. A nickname or alias is safer and works perfectly.
Step-by-Step: How to Join a Tournament on Lichess
Once you are logged in, following these steps will let you join any Lichess chess tournament with confidence.
Step 1 — Find the Tournament
Option A (easiest): Use the direct link
If your coach or WhatsApp group has shared a tournament link, simply tap or click it. The Lichess tournament page will open directly — you can then skip straight to Step 3.
Option B: Browse tournaments yourself
- Log in to lichess.org.
- Click Play in the top menu.
- Select Tournaments from the dropdown.
- Scroll through the list of upcoming and ongoing events to find the one you want.
Step 2 — Read the Tournament Info
On each tournament page, Lichess shows key details:
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| Time control | How many minutes each player gets per game. For example, “5+0” is 5 minutes with no extra time; “10+5” is 10 minutes plus 5 seconds added after every move. |
| Start time | The exact time when the tournament begins. Try to be online a few minutes before this. |
| Rated / Unrated | Rated games change your Lichess rating; unrated games are just for practice. |
| Arena | Most tournaments are “Arena” events: you play as many games as you can during a fixed time. After each game, you quickly get paired again. |
Beginners do not need to worry about every detail. The most important things are the start time and time control so you know when to play and how fast you must move.
Step 3 — Click the Join Button
On the tournament page, click the big green Join button. That’s all it takes to enter.
- If the tournament has not started yet, you will see a countdown in the lobby.
- If the tournament is already running, you will be paired with an opponent within seconds.
Step 4 — Wait in the Lobby
After joining, stay on the tournament page. Lichess will automatically start your game when it is time. Do not close the tab or navigate away to another website.
If you change your mind before the start, you can click Withdraw to leave the tournament safely.
Step 5 — Play Your Games
When the first game begins, the chessboard appears automatically. Just play as you normally would.
How the Arena format works:
- After each game, you return to the lobby and wait for the next pairing.
- You earn points for wins and draws; losses give zero points.
- You can take a short break using the Pause option so you are not paired immediately.
- The tournament ends when the timer reaches zero, and the highest score wins.
Step 6 — Check the Results
When the tournament finishes, you can see the full leaderboard on the same page. Clicking on any game lets you replay it move by move — a great way to learn from mistakes and spot brilliant moves.
How to Join EDUCHESS Saturday Lichess Tournaments
EDUCHESS Academy runs free, kids-friendly online chess tournaments every Saturday on Lichess. These events are perfect for beginners and intermediate players who want regular practice in a safe, structured environment.
What makes EDUCHESS Saturday tournaments special?
- Organised specifically for children and young learners.
- Guided by experienced chess coaches from EDUCHESS Academy.
- Coaches may review and discuss selected games with students after the tournament.
- Regular weekly schedule helps children build the habit of playing serious games.
How to Get the Weekly Tournament Links
The easiest way to receive every Saturday tournament link is to join our dedicated WhatsApp group:
👉 Join the EDUCHESS WhatsApp Tournament Group here
Each week, the group receives:
- The direct Lichess tournament link.
- The start time and time control information.
- Any special notes from coaches about themes or rules.
Save These Two Important Links
- EDUCHESS Academy website – for information about coaching programmes, schedules and academy news.
- EDUCHESS WhatsApp Tournament Group – for weekly Lichess tournament links and reminders.
Common Problems and Simple Fixes
What if I can’t find the tournament link?
First, check the EDUCHESS WhatsApp tournament group; the link is posted there before every Saturday event. You can also go to Play → Tournaments on Lichess and look for the tournament name shared by your coach.
What if I accidentally close the tournament page?
Don’t worry. Go back to lichess.org, click Play → Tournaments, and open the same tournament again. If you already joined earlier, you are still in the event and can continue playing.
What if my game doesn’t start?
Make sure you actually clicked the green Join button and that the tournament has started. Check that you have not pressed Pause, and refresh the page if necessary. As long as the event is running and you are joined, Lichess will pair you.
What if my internet connection drops?
If you disconnect, try to reconnect as quickly as possible. Lichess allows a short grace period before your time runs out. For more stable play, use a wired connection when possible or sit close to your Wi‑Fi router.
What if my child receives a rude message?
Lichess provides mute and report tools on every profile and chat. Encourage your child to use them immediately and inform an EDUCHESS coach. Our Saturday tournaments are meant to be friendly and respectful, and bad behaviour is not tolerated.
FAQ: Joining Lichess Tournaments for the First Time
Do I need to pay to join Lichess tournaments?
No. Lichess is completely free to use. There is no membership fee, and joining most tournaments, including EDUCHESS Saturday Lichess tournaments for kids, is free.
Is it safe for children to play Lichess tournaments?
Yes. Children can use nicknames instead of real names, and Lichess has strong moderation tools to report inappropriate behaviour. EDUCHESS events are supervised by coaches, making them especially suitable for young players.
What is the easiest way to get links for EDUCHESS tournaments?
The simplest method is to join the EDUCHESS WhatsApp Tournament Group. All Saturday links, times and announcements are posted there so you never miss an event.
Can I join on a phone or tablet?
Yes. You can join and play Lichess tournaments from a phone or tablet using the browser or the free Lichess mobile app (Android and iOS). Just log in, open the tournament page and tap Join.
What does “Arena” format mean on Lichess?
In an Arena tournament, there are no fixed rounds. Instead, you keep getting new opponents as long as time remains. You can pause between games, and the final standing is based on total points scored during the arena.
Do I need to be a strong player to join?
Not at all. EDUCHESS Saturday Lichess tournaments are designed for beginners and improvers. The main goal is practice and learning, not perfection. Playing regularly is one of the fastest ways to improve at chess.
Ready to start? Join the EDUCHESS WhatsApp Tournament Group today and look out for this Saturday’s Lichess tournament link. For coaching programmes and more resources, visit the EDUCHESS Academy website.
