Accessibility

· 13 checks — Landmarks, headings, alt text, forms, and link quality rolled into one auditable list.

SCORE

GRADE

FIX

REVIEW

PASS

INFO

Checks

2 PASS 6 REVIEW 5 FIX

Alt Text Quality

Action

10 of 23 images have issues

FIX

10 of 23 images have issues

10 image(s) missing alt attribute

Images without alt text are invisible to screen readers.

10 image-in-link without alt text

An image inside a link with no alt creates an empty link.

8 decorative image(s) correctly marked

5 image(s) with good alt text

23 images 5 good alt text 8 decorative 10 missing

Issue	Count
missing	10 image(s)

Images without alt text are invisible to screen readers.

Why this matters

Each image without alt text is a WCAG 1.1.1 failure — invisible to screen-reader users, lost from Google Image Search.

Learn more ▾

WCAG 2.1 Level A requires text alternatives for non-decorative images. Empty alt='' is fine for decorative; meaningful images need descriptive text. Common fixes: CMS audit + bulk add, build-time linter (alt-text-required ESLint rule), CI gate on Lighthouse a11y score.

Source: WCAG 2.1 SC 1.1.1 / WebAIM Million Report

An image inside a link with no alt creates an empty link.

Why this matters

Image-only links with no alt create empty links — screen-reader users hear 'link' with no destination context.

Learn more ▾

An <a><img></a> with no img alt is the worst-case for accessibility: AT announces the link but can't describe where it goes. Either add alt to the image OR add aria-label to the link.

Source: WCAG 2.1 SC 2.4.4

Link & Button Quality

Action

5 issue(s) across 128 links and 10 buttons

FIX

5 issue(s) across 128 links and 10 buttons

3 link(s) with no accessible text

Links without text are announced as raw URLs by screen readers.

Got: /faq#autoplay; a.link (#179 on page); a#network-status

24 link(s) open in new tab without warning

Add '(opens in new tab)' to link text or aria-label.

Got: https://lichess.org/swiss/oMsM0vHz; https://lichess.org/team/uae-chess-federation; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvsKQa18VwY; https://lichess.org/fide/14186640/Dehtiarov_Roman; https://lichess.org/broadcast/european-individual-chess-championship-2026--bo…; /@/GlasnostPerestroika; https://lichess.org/tournament/spring26; https://lichess.org/@/Gakolchess765; https://lichess.org/tournament/summer26; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtIJd_u-4XU (+14 more)

2 button(s) with no accessible text

Icon-only buttons need an aria-label so screen readers can announce them.

Got: button.carousel__prev (#472 on page); button.carousel__next (#473 on page)

101 link(s) with descriptive text

128 links

3 empty

0 generic text

24 new tab

2 empty buttons

Element	Text	Issue	Suggested Fix
/faq#autoplay	(empty)	empty	Add link text or aria-label
	(empty)	empty	Add link text or aria-label
/@/Lichess/blog/titled-arenas-announceme…	16 Apr 2026LichessTitled Arena…	img no alt	Add alt attribute to the image
/@/xander333/blog/this-is-how-much-elo-y…	5 Apr 2026xander333This is how…	img no alt	Add alt attribute to the image
/@/trainingaccount996/blog/game-of-the-w…	4 Apr 2026IM trainingaccount9…	img no alt	Add alt attribute to the image
/@/RuyLopez1000/blog/bobby-fischers-goat…	5 Apr 2026RuyLopez1000Bobby Fi…	img no alt	Add alt attribute to the image
/@/Lizard1/blog/my-most-beautiful-checkm…	6 Apr 2026IM Lizard1My Most B…	img no alt	Add alt attribute to the image
/@/MrPushwood/blog/whats-wrong-with-engi…	6 Apr 2026NM MrPushwoodWhat's…	img no alt	Add alt attribute to the image
/@/realcyberbird/blog/fun-stats-about-th…	19 Apr 2026FM realcyberbirdFu…	img no alt	Add alt attribute to the image
/@/Lizard1/blog/white-played-a-ponziani-…	4 Apr 2026IM Lizard1White Pla…	img no alt	Add alt attribute to the image
/@/RelaxedGames/blog/a-case-for-gambits-…	5 Apr 2026RelaxedGamesA case f…	img no alt	Add alt attribute to the image
/@/Mradsomer/blog/endgame-bootcamp-7-mat…	31 Mar 2026MradsomerEndgame Bo…	img no alt	Add alt attribute to the image
https://lichess.org/swiss/oMsM0vHz	Chess Digital League Final	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://lichess.org/team/uae-chess-feder…	UAE Chess Federation	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvsKQa18…	Watch the interview on YouTube	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://lichess.org/fide/14186640/Dehtia…	Roman Dehtiarov	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://lichess.org/broadcast/european-i…	European Individual Chess Cham…	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
/@/GlasnostPerestroika	@GlasnostPerestroika	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://lichess.org/tournament/spring26	2026 Spring Marathon	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://lichess.org/@/Gakolchess765	Dimitrios Makridis	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://lichess.org/tournament/summer26	next Marathon	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtIJd_u-…	Watch the interview on YouTube	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Uv8_5e7…	YouTube	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://www.twitch.tv/lichessdotorg	Twitch	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://lichess.org/@/AngelitoRT	Renato Alfredo Terry Luján	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://lichess.org/tournament/apr26bta	Blitz Titled Arena April 2026	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://lichess.org/@/OhanyanEminChess	Emin Ohanyan	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://lichess.org/@/KontraJaKO	José Martínez Alcántara	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://lichess.org/@/msb2	Matthias Blübaum	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://lichess.org/@/Night-King96	Oleksandr Bortnyk	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://mastodon.online/@lichess	Mastodon	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://github.com/lichess-org	GitHub	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://discord.gg/lichess	Discord	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://bsky.app/profile/lichess.org	Bluesky	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://youtube.com/@LichessDotOrg	YouTube	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
https://www.twitch.tv/lichessdotorg	Twitch	new tab	Add '(opens in new tab)' to text
	(empty)	empty	Add link text or aria-label
<button>	(empty)	empty	Add button text or aria-label
<button>	(empty)	empty	Add button text or aria-label

109 links and buttons have descriptive text

Links without text are announced as raw URLs by screen readers.

/faq#autoplay; a.link (#179 on page); a#network-status

Why this matters

Links with no accessible text (empty <a></a>, image-only no alt, icon-only no aria-label) are unidentifiable to screen readers.

Source: WCAG 2.1 SC 2.4.4

Add '(opens in new tab)' to link text or aria-label.

https://lichess.org/swiss/oMsM0vHz; https://lichess.org/team/uae-chess-federation; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvsKQa18VwY; https://lichess.org/fide/14186640/Dehtiarov_Roman; https://lichess.org/broadcast/european-individual-chess-championship-2026--bo…; /@/GlasnostPerestroika; https://lichess.org/tournament/spring26; https://lichess.org/@/Gakolchess765; https://lichess.org/tournament/summer26; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtIJd_u-4XU (+14 more)

Why this matters

Links with target="_blank" without rel="noopener" leak the originating page's window context — security and UX issue.

Learn more ▾

Without rel="noopener", the new tab can navigate the original tab via window.opener (tab-nabbing attack). Modern browsers default to noopener for target=_blank but only since recent versions. Always set rel="noopener noreferrer" explicitly.

Source: MDN target / OWASP

Icon-only buttons need an aria-label so screen readers can announce them.

button.carousel__prev (#472 on page); button.carousel__next (#473 on page)

Why this matters

Buttons with no accessible text (icon-only, no aria-label) can't be activated by voice control or understood by screen readers.

Source: WCAG 2.1 SC 4.1.2

Dark Mode Support

Action

Theme color only

FIX

Theme color only

Theme-color present but no dark variant

A theme-color is set but no dark-specific variant was found. The browser toolbar may not adapt for dark mode users.

Got: #2e2a24

No dark mode signals detected

Consider adding CSS with @media (prefers-color-scheme: dark) and <meta name='color-scheme' content='light dark'>.

Detection limited to meta tags and inline styles

External CSS files may contain prefers-color-scheme rules not visible to this scan.

Dark ModePartial Dark Mode

color-scheme meta Not set ✗Dark theme-color Not set ✗CSS indicators Not detected ✗

Detection limited to meta tags and inline styles.

Print Stylesheet

Action

No print styles

FIX

No print styles

No print-specific styles detected

When users print this page, they get the screen layout including navigation and non-essential elements. Add @media print rules to hide navigation and optimize layout for paper.

Print Stylesheet No Print Styles

Print stylesheet Not found ✗Inline @media print Not detected ✗

Navigation UX

Action

No navigation patterns

FIX

No navigation patterns

1 navigation landmark(s) detected

No breadcrumbs, search, or skip link detected

These navigation aids help users orient themselves and find content efficiently, especially on large sites.

Breadcrumbs

Skip Link

Labeled Navigation 1 <nav> element(s)

Hamburger Menu

Sticky Navigation Cannot reliably detect (CSS-based)

1 of 6 testable patterns navigation patterns detected. Limited navigation support. Consider adding breadcrumbs, search, and skip link.

Landmark Structure

3 landmarks

REVIEW

3 landmarks

<main> landmark present

1 <nav> landmark(s) found

No contentinfo (footer) landmark

Skip navigation link is missing (WCAG 2.4.1)

Add a skip link as the first focusable element so keyboard users can bypass repeated navigation.

Page Structure — as a screen reader sees it

Add a skip link as the first focusable element so keyboard users can bypass repeated navigation.

Why this matters

Without a skip-nav link, keyboard users tab through every nav item before reaching content — every page, every visit.

Learn more ▾

WCAG 2.4.1 (Bypass Blocks) requires a mechanism to skip past repeated content. The standard implementation is a 'Skip to main content' link that's the first focusable element, visually hidden until focused. Three lines of HTML + four of CSS.

Source: WCAG 2.1 SC 2.4.1

Heading Hierarchy

16 headings

REVIEW

16 headings

No H1 heading found

Every page should have one H1 that describes the page content.

H2 Titled Arenas Announcement — April to June 2026
H2 This is how much ELO you are losing in the opening
H2 Game of the Week 12/52
H2 Verrassingen in de opening zoeken... en (automatisch) vinden?
H2 Human Estimate Eval Function
H2 Bobby Fischer's GOATed Endgame
H2 'Looking for trouble' puzzles: do you smell the danger?
H2 My Most Beautiful Checkmate Ever
H2 Lichess lonewolf S40 round 1: My first Lonewolf season
H2 What's Wrong With Engine Analysis
H2 Tactics in the closed Spanish
H2 Fun stats about the Lichess 2026 Spring Marathon (2 0)
H2 White Played a Ponziani Masterpiece — and Still Lost
H2 A case for gambits in modern top level tournaments
H2 Endgame Bootcamp 7: Mating Nets
H2 Open tournaments

Every page should have one H1 that describes the page content.

Why this matters

No H1 means screen-reader users can't identify the page's primary topic, and Google's content-extraction degrades.

Learn more ▾

The H1 is the document title for assistive tech and a strong signal to search engines about page topic. Pages without one force screen readers to fall back to the <title> attribute or page chrome. Add a single H1 that names the page's primary subject.

Source: WCAG 2.4.6 / Google Search Central

404 Error Page

HTTP 404, custom page

REVIEW

HTTP 404, custom page

Correct 404 status code returned

Got: HTTP 404

Custom styled 404 page

Navigation links present on 404 page

Homepage link present on 404 page

404 Page Quality ✓ Custom 404 Page

Status Code HTTP 404 ✓Page Title Page not found • lichess.org ✓Custom Styling ✓Navigation ✓Homepage Link ✓Search Form ✗

Favicon & Branding

Action

14 icon(s) detected

REVIEW

14 icon(s) detected

favicon.ico present at site root

HTML icon links detected

No apple-touch-icon detected

iOS devices use this when users add your site to their home screen. Add <link rel='apple-touch-icon' sizes='180x180' href='/apple-touch-icon.png'>.

Multiple icon sizes detected

✓ favicon.ico Present

✓ PNG Icons Present

✗ Apple Touch Missing

✗ SVG Favicon Missing

✓ Manifest Icons Present

✓ Multiple Sizes Present

Color Contrast (Screenshot)

Action

20 text elements analyzed, 20 fail WCAG AA

REVIEW

Analyzes text contrast against the actual rendered page, including background images, gradients, and overlays that CSS-based tools cannot detect.

0 pass 20 fail WCAG AA

h2 Titled Arenas Announcement — April to …

1.15:1

#000000

#161512

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 This is how much ELO you are losing in t…

1.15:1

#000000

#161512

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 Game of the Week 12/52

1.15:1

#000000

#161512

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 Verrassingen in de opening zoeken... en …

1.15:1

#000000

#161512

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 Human Estimate Eval Function

1.15:1

#000000

#161512

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 Bobby Fischer's GOATed Endgame

1.15:1

#000000

#161512

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 'Looking for trouble' puzzles: do you sm…

1.15:1

#000000

#161512

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 My Most Beautiful Checkmate Ever

1.15:1

#000000

#161512

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 Lichess lonewolf S40 round 1: My first L…

1.15:1

#000000

#161512

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 What's Wrong With Engine Analysis

1.15:1

#000000

#161512

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 Tactics in the closed Spanish

1.15:1

#000000

#161512

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 Fun stats about the Lichess 2026 Spring …

1.15:1

#000000

#161512

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 White Played a Ponziani Masterpiece — …

1.15:1

#000000

#161512

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 A case for gambits in modern top level t…

1.15:1

#000000

#161512

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 Endgame Bootcamp 7: Mating Nets

1.15:1

#000000

#161512

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

h2 Open tournaments

1.15:1

#000000

#161512

needs 3.0:1 (large text)

24px · bottom of viewport

title lichess.org • Free Online Chess

1.43:1

#000000

#2B2822

needs 4.5:1 (normal text)

16px · top of page (header area)

button Accessibility - Enable blind mode

1.33:1

#000000

#25221D

needs 4.5:1 (normal text)

16px · top of page (header area)

div lichess

1.23:1

#000000

#1E1C18

needs 4.5:1 (normal text)

16px · top of page (header area)

span .org

1.31:1

#000000

#23211E

needs 4.5:1 (normal text)

16px · top of page (header area)

Show all checked elements (20)

Element	Ratio	Required	FG	BG	Result
h2 Titled Arenas Announ…	1.15:1	3.0:1	#000000	#161512	Fail
h2 This is how much ELO…	1.15:1	3.0:1	#000000	#161512	Fail
h2 Game of the Week 12/…	1.15:1	3.0:1	#000000	#161512	Fail
h2 Verrassingen in de o…	1.15:1	3.0:1	#000000	#161512	Fail
h2 Human Estimate Eval …	1.15:1	3.0:1	#000000	#161512	Fail
h2 Bobby Fischer's GOAT…	1.15:1	3.0:1	#000000	#161512	Fail
h2 'Looking for trouble…	1.15:1	3.0:1	#000000	#161512	Fail
h2 My Most Beautiful Ch…	1.15:1	3.0:1	#000000	#161512	Fail
h2 Lichess lonewolf S40…	1.15:1	3.0:1	#000000	#161512	Fail
h2 What's Wrong With En…	1.15:1	3.0:1	#000000	#161512	Fail
h2 Tactics in the close…	1.15:1	3.0:1	#000000	#161512	Fail
h2 Fun stats about the …	1.15:1	3.0:1	#000000	#161512	Fail
h2 White Played a Ponzi…	1.15:1	3.0:1	#000000	#161512	Fail
h2 A case for gambits i…	1.15:1	3.0:1	#000000	#161512	Fail
h2 Endgame Bootcamp 7: …	1.15:1	3.0:1	#000000	#161512	Fail
h2 Open tournaments	1.15:1	3.0:1	#000000	#161512	Fail
title lichess.org • Free…	1.43:1	4.5:1	#000000	#2B2822	Fail
button Accessibility - Enab…	1.33:1	4.5:1	#000000	#25221D	Fail
div lichess	1.23:1	4.5:1	#000000	#1E1C18	Fail
span .org	1.31:1	4.5:1	#000000	#23211E	Fail

Methodology: The top 20 text elements by font size were checked. Background color was sampled from the desktop screenshot using a 5-point pattern. WCAG 2.1 AA requires 4.5:1 for normal text and 3:1 for large text.

Lighthouse Accessibility Audits

Score 81/100 — 6 failing, 24 passed

REVIEW

Accessibility

These checks highlight opportunities to improve the accessibility of your web app. Automatic detection can only detect a subset of issues and does not guarantee the accessibility of your web app, so manual testing is also encouraged.

Names and labels

When a button doesn't have an accessible name, screen readers announce it as "button", making it unusable for users who rely on screen readers. Learn how to make buttons more accessible.

Why this matters