How to invite a friend
- You both sign in with a free account; private rooms are not available with guest access.
- In the lobby, create a private room with “Play with a friend”.
- Send your friend the room link or the 4-character code, and keep the room screen open until they join.
- The game starts when your friend opens the link and presses “Join”, or enters the code in the lobby and presses “Join”; colors are assigned at random.
What a private room includes
- Unrated games: Private rooms on the website and in the app are created as unrated games, so the result does not change your rating.
- Rematch: When the game ends and you both ask for a rematch, a new game starts with colors swapped.
- Invite time limit: The code and link stay valid for 1 hour; on the website, the room screen shows the time left. If it runs out, create a new room.
- Blocking: Someone you have blocked cannot join your room.
A partner or loved one far away
Distance does not change how a private room works: one of you creates the room and the other joins with the link or code from another city or country. You see each other on camera, talk between moves and share one board and clock.
Family and older relatives
Rovian works in current phone, tablet and computer browsers, so joining from the website does not require an app. A relative needs a free account and camera and microphone permission on their device; if they are not comfortable with technology, sending the link is easier than reading out the code. Rovian is for adults aged 18 and over, so family games are between adults.
A team or game night
A private room is for two players. If three or four people want one video room, try Friends’ Table (beta) in the lobby: up to four people join the same table, two play while the others watch, and the next players in line take the following round. The person who opened the table starts each round. Larger groups can split into pairs and open separate private rooms.
Instead of Zoom or FaceTime: one shared board
Video call apps are made for conversation; to play chess on them, either someone shares their screen or everyone keeps their own board and calls out moves. In a Rovian private room the board, the clock and the video call are on one screen: moves are checked against the rules on the server and the clock runs on its own. Step-by-step options: chess on Zoom · chess on FaceTime.
Frequently asked questions
Does my friend need an account too?
Yes. Creating and joining a private room both require a free account; guest access does not include private rooms. Rovian is for adults aged 18 and over.
How long does the invite stay valid?
The code and link stay valid for 1 hour after you create the room; on the website, the room screen shows the time left. Once your friend joins and the game starts, the code is used; for another game with the same person, ask for a rematch or create a new room.
Will my rating drop if I lose?
No. Private rooms on the website and in the app are created as unrated games, so the result does not change your rating.
Can more than two friends play together?
A private room seats two players. Friends’ Table (beta) lets up to four people share one video room and take turns at the board; it also requires a free account.
Do we need Zoom or FaceTime open at the same time?
No. A private room has video and voice chat next to the board. Camera and microphone access require your permission, and you can turn either off whenever you like.
Are our calls recorded?
Normal calls are not automatically recorded. User-triggered moderation evidence and clip features requiring explicit consent are exceptions. Match clips require both players to enable recording consent. See the Privacy Policy for details.