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Lichess MCP

by karayaman

Lichess MCP allows you to interact with the Lichess chess platform using natural language. It can be used with Claude Desktop to play games, analyze positions, and manage your chess activities.

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What is Lichess MCP?

Lichess MCP is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that enables natural language interaction with the Lichess chess platform. It allows users to manage their account, play games, analyze positions, and more through tools accessible via an MCP-compatible client like Claude Desktop.

How to use Lichess MCP?

To use Lichess MCP, you need to install it, configure your Lichess API token, and integrate it with an MCP-compatible client like Claude Desktop. The README provides detailed instructions on setting up the server, configuring environment variables, and adding the server to your Claude Desktop configuration file.

Key features of Lichess MCP

  • Managing Lichess account

  • Playing chess games and challenges

  • Analyzing positions and games

  • Joining tournaments and teams

  • Interacting with other players

  • Natural language interaction with Lichess

  • Integration with Claude Desktop

Use cases of Lichess MCP

  • Asking Claude to show your Lichess profile

  • Requesting Claude to start a new chess game with specific time controls

  • Analyzing a specific chess position using cloud evaluation

  • Exporting a game in PGN format

  • Creating and joining chess tournaments

FAQ from Lichess MCP

How do I get a Lichess API token?

You can generate a token at https://lichess.org/account/oauth/token

How do I configure the Lichess API token?

You can set the LICHESS_TOKEN environment variable in your .env file or using the set_token tool during runtime.

What move formats are supported?

The Lichess API accepts moves in UCI (Universal Chess Interface) format (e.g., e2e4, g8f6) and SAN (Standard Algebraic Notation) format (e.g., e4, Nf6) for some endpoints.

How do I troubleshoot connection issues with Claude Desktop?

Ensure the package is installed globally, the lichess-mcp command is available in your PATH, the configuration file is correct, and your Lichess API token is valid. Restart Claude Desktop completely.

Where can I find the Claude Desktop configuration file?

The configuration file is located at ~/Library/Application Support/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (macOS), %APPDATA%\Claude\claude_desktop_config.json (Windows), or ~/.config/Claude/claude_desktop_config.json (Linux).