Questions & answers

A place to find and organize real, over-the-board games near you — casual 1v1s, friendly meetups, and small tournaments. It's about playing face to face, not online.

Yes — completely. Signing up, browsing the map, and joining games all cost nothing. We may add optional paid events in the future, but every game is free to join today.

We're starting in Zürich and growing from there. You can host or join anywhere, but the community is most active around Zürich for now.

Not at all. All levels are welcome — from first-timers to club players. If you play chess, you can add your Lichess, Chess.com, or FIDE rating to your profile — but it's entirely optional.

Open the map or list, pick an event, and click Join. Every event has a chat where you can sort out the details with the other players.

In public places — parks, cafés, and game groups. Hosts are encouraged to choose a spot that's public and easy to find. It's safer and more welcoming for everyone.

Meeting in a public place is the golden rule, and it's worth telling a friend where you'll be. You can also report or block anyone from their profile, and our community rules spell out what we expect from everyone.

Just open the event and leave it — your spot frees up for someone else. It helps everyone if you leave in good time rather than not showing up.

When you get to the game, ask the host for their 6-digit check-in code and enter it on the event page. It confirms you actually showed up and played.

Click Create event, give it a title and time, drop a pin on the map, and set an optional player limit. That's it — your game shows up for others right away.

Not yet — every game on OTB is free right now. Paid events, with your players' money held safely until the game happens, are planned for the future.

When creating the event you can set a minimum number of players. If fewer join, you can cancel the event — no half-empty games.

Everything lives on your profile page — name, location, language, and (if you play chess) your ratings.

On the login page, click Forgot password?and we'll email you a link to set a new one.

Open your profile and use the Danger zone at the bottom. Your personal details are removed.