Higher levels of membership included more features, such as the ability to observe or participate in certain tournaments often held on the server.
In addition to providing Internet users the opportunity to engage in games of chess with others, Chess Live also provided free lectures on skill and tactics to improve one's ability at the game.
Chess Live also included instant messaging features and the ability to chat with other users in IRC-like public chat rooms.
There were a range of paid and voluntary staff positions to ensure the smooth and effective running of the system.
The software had arrangements to try to detect players using the assistance of chess programs.