An Arena is a private game room you create on Rovian. Unlike random matchmaking, you decide who sits across from you: create a room and send the code or the link; your friend opens the link, presses “Join” and sits down at your table.
No app to install and no clock to configure; you both need to be 18 or older and have a free account. If your friend isn't signed in, they first sign in or create a free account; then the same invite opens and the game begins when they press “Join”.
How to create an Arena (3 steps)
1️⃣ On the Play page, choose “Create a private room”. The room is ready in seconds and you get a short code.
2️⃣ Send the code or the full link to your friend — WhatsApp, Discord, Instagram, wherever you talk. The share panel even has a ready-made invitation text.
3️⃣ When your friend opens the link and presses “Join”, or types the code into the code field in the lobby and presses “Join”, the game begins.
Why is sharing the link easier than the code?
The code is short enough to read out over the phone; the link opens in a single tap with the code already filled in. If the other person isn't especially comfortable with technology, send the link: if they aren't signed in, they first sign in with a free account, then the same invite opens and they press “Join”.
We wrote about playing someone far away in our long-distance post, and about setting a family table on our play chess with friends page.
How long does a room stay open?
Rooms have a lifetime, and the time left is shown on screen. If nobody joins before it expires, the room closes — a simple bit of housekeeping that stops idle rooms from piling up.
You never have to fight an expired code: choose “Recreate room” and a new code is generated. If you already sent the old link, just share the new one.
Who is Arena for?
👥 Anyone who wants a specific opponent: a colleague, a sibling, a friend in another city.
🎓 Lessons and training: coach and student in one room, cameras on, moves on the board.
🌙 Group events: ideal for a chess night played in turns; see group options on our play chess with friends page.
If you just want a new opponent, you don't need an Arena — random pairing is enough. But if you want to set the table yourself, open an arena now.
See you in the next story.
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