How to Play Chain
A daily geography speed run. Name cities that fit the category, beat the 30-second clock on every answer, and see how long a streak you can build.
Start today's round →The rules
Chain shows you one or two category labels — say "Cities in South America", or a tougher pair like "Capital city AND on a major river". Your job is to name as many cities as you can that satisfy every active label, one at a time, against a clock.
- 30 seconds per answer. The clock counts down on each turn.
- Correct resets the clock. A valid, new city gives you a fresh 30 seconds.
- One miss ends it. A non-city, a category miss, or a duplicate stops the round.
- Compare to the pool. At the end you see your count against the full set of valid cities.
Strategy tips
- Lead with your strongest region. Bank easy answers from a continent you know cold to build a buffer before reaching for harder ones.
- On two-category days, work from the narrower label — the smaller pool tells you which cities are even worth checking against the second.
- Type fast and don't overthink spelling; the matcher accepts common alternates, so a near-miss spelling usually still lands.
- Keep a mental list as you go so you never burn the clock re-suggesting a city you already used.
FAQ
What is Chain?
Chain is a daily geography speed game. You are shown one or two category labels, then you name as many cities as you can that fit every label. A 30-second clock runs on each answer and resets when you get one right; a wrong answer or a repeat ends the round.
What ends a Chain round?
Three things stop you: naming something that is not a real city, naming a city that misses any active category, or repeating a city you already used. Spelling is forgiving and accepts common alternates, but a true miss ends the run.
How long is the Chain timer?
Thirty seconds per answer. Each correct city resets the clock to a fresh thirty, so a strong run is really a sequence of quick recalls rather than one long countdown.
How are Chain categories chosen?
From a curated rotation of geography and travel themes. Single-category days are gentler; two-category days such as "Capital city AND on a major river" shrink the pool sharply and reward depth of knowledge.
Is Chain free?
Yes. Free every day with no account required. Premium is optional and only removes ads.