Tampermonkey chess scripts are powerful JavaScript-based tools that allow players to customize their experience on platforms like Chess.com and Lichess.org. Managed through the Tampermonkey browser extension, these "userscripts" can range from harmless visual tweaks to controversial automated engine assistants. Popular Types of Chess Scripts
Users typically search for scripts that fall into three main categories: Is this user script allowed? (I made) - Chess Forums
Tampermonkey is a popular browser extension used to run "userscripts" that modify web pages, including sites like Lichess.org
. These scripts can range from UI enhancements to advanced move analysis. 1. Getting Started: How to Install Scripts To use any chess-related script, you first need the Tampermonkey
extension installed on your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari). Install the Extension : Download it from the Official Tampermonkey Website or your browser's extension store. Find a Script : Popular sources for chess scripts include Greasy Fork and GitHub. Installation Steps Open the script page on a site like Greasy Fork "Install this script" A Tampermonkey tab will open; click to confirm.
Alternatively, you can manually create a script by clicking the Tampermonkey icon in your toolbar, selecting "Create a new script..." , and pasting the code directly. 2. Common Types of Chess Scripts
Scripts are generally used for quality-of-life improvements or gameplay assistance: UI Enhancements Custom Pieces
: Change the standard chess pieces to any image of your choice on Layout Improvements
: View both "Move Played" and "Best Move" bubbles simultaneously during game reviews. Convenience Tools Quick Links : Add custom time control links to your dashboard to save clicks when starting new games. Functional Fixes tampermonkey chess script
: Re-enable right-click or copy/paste functionality on restricted chess study sites. Analysis & Assistance Move Highlighting : Scripts like Chess Helper
search for possible moves and highlight them based on whether they capture or protect pieces. Advanced Assistants : Tools like
(Advanced Chess Assistance System) provide real-time move analysis and strategy. 3. Important Warnings Anti-Cheat & Bans
: Using scripts that suggest moves, highlight "best moves," or automate play is a violation of the Fair Play policies
on major platforms. These sites have sophisticated detection methods, and using such scripts often results in a permanent account ban. Developer Mode
: For some newer versions of Tampermonkey on Chrome-based browsers, you may need to enable "Developer Mode"
in your browser's extension settings for scripts to run properly. Lichess.org
Tampermonkey chess scripts are browser userscripts that modify or enhance the experience on sites like Chess.com or Lichess. While some are harmless utilities, others are advanced cheating tools designed to be "undetectable". 1. Categories of Userscripts A Minimal Example: Highlight the King Let’s write
Performance & Analysis: Scripts that add links to external analysis tools like Lichess Analysis from other sites or re-enable basic browser functions like right-clicking.
Assistance Tools: These include "Move Guides" that suggest moves, "Square Labels" for algebraic notation, or "Chess Helpers" that highlight captures and protections.
Advanced Cheating Engines: High-end scripts like Chess AI integrate Stockfish directly into the browser to show best moves, provide real-time evaluation bars, and even automate move execution with "Human Mode" to mimic natural timing.
Security & Anti-Cheat: Community-made tools like "Chess Risk Score" use public stats (win rate spikes, account age, accuracy) to help players identify and avoid potential cheaters. 2. Risks and Fair Play Violations
Let’s write a script that draws a red ring around the king on Chess.com.
// ==UserScript== // @name Chess King Highlighter // @namespace http://tampermonkey.net/ // @version 1.0 // @description Highlights the king in red on Chess.com // @author You // @match https://www.chess.com/game/* // @grant none // ==/UserScript==(function() 'use strict';
function highlightKing() // Find all pieces on the board (Chess.com uses 'piece' class) const pieces = document.querySelectorAll('.piece'); pieces.forEach(piece => // Check if piece is a king (typically 'k' in class or alt text) if (piece.classList.contains('wk') ); // Run every second because the DOM changes after moves setInterval(highlightKing, 1000);
)();
What this script does: Every second, it scans the Chess.com game page for pieces with the wk (white king) or bk (black king) class and adds a red glow.
Is this cheating? No. It does not evaluate the position; it only visually highlights a piece you can already see.
To expand this script, you could:
Tampermonkey scripts run in your browser to modify web pages. For chess:
Legitimate uses (learning/tools):
Cheating (bannable/unethical):
⚠️ Most chess sites (Chess.com, Lichess, etc.) detect engine assistance and will ban you. Keep scripts informational only — no automatic or hidden analysis.
Here lies the critical section. Using a Tampermonkey chess script is not inherently bad—but how and when you use it determines its morality and legality. not the server)
The functionality of these scripts ranges from benign quality-of-life improvements to full-blown cheating tools.
Heavy scripts (e.g., running Stockfish inside a Web Worker at depth 20) can freeze your browser, especially on low-end machines.