Chess is a game of infinite possibilities—well, almost. For all the creativity you can bring to the board, there are some hard-and-fast rules that simply cannot be broken. When you make an illegal move, it’s like trying to sprint through a wall. You don’t get anywhere, and it’s probably not going to end well for … Read more
Checkmate. The word itself is like a mic drop in chess. It’s not just a move—it’s a statement. A declaration of victory. A proclamation that your king is safe and their king is not. Checkmate is where the game ends, the crowd roars (even if it’s just your cat), and you get to sit back … Read more
It’s a question every beginner has asked at some point. You’re playing a game, and the opposing king is just sitting there, one square away. You’ve got your own king nearby, ready to deliver the final blow. Then someone says, “You can’t do that.” Wait. Why not? Let’s clear this up: No, a king cannot … Read more
Endgames are where the magic happens in chess. When the board is stripped down to just a few pieces, every move counts. But what do you do when you’re in an unbalanced endgame? You know, those tricky situations where you’ve got a rook, and your opponent has two knights. Or maybe you’ve got an extra … Read more
Chess has witnessed many transformations over the centuries, but few innovations are as thrilling as Freestyle Chess, also known as Fischer Random or Chess960. This chess variant shakes up the traditional setup by randomizing the back rank’s pieces, creating 960 unique starting positions. Now, this variant is taking center stage in the form of the … Read more
Magnus Carlsen, the world’s number one chess player, stirred controversy during the 2024 World Blitz Chess Championship final when he and Ian Nepomniachtchi decided to share the title. The unusual resolution has sparked debates among chess enthusiasts and experts alike, with some accusing the players of “match-fixing.” The Agreement to Share the Title On New … Read more
Chess is full of dramatic checkmates, jaw-dropping tactics, and heart-stopping blunders. But sometimes, the drama fades into a quiet, unyielding standoff. Enter the 50-move rule—a rule that ensures no game of chess will drag on forever, even if the players are as stubborn as two toddlers arguing over the last cookie. What Is the 50-Move … Read more
Chess is full of peculiar quirks that make the game as beautiful as it is challenging. Among them, en passant is the most delightfully obscure. It’s the kind of rule that sparks heated debates in beginner games and smug smiles in expert ones. If you’ve ever found yourself asking, “Wait, that’s allowed?” after someone captures … Read more
Ever wondered why losing your queen feels like losing your favorite snack at a chess party? It’s all about the points, my friend. Chess assigns every piece a value, and these points don’t just reflect how powerful a piece is. They influence strategies, trades, and endgames. Let’s break it down with the kind of flair … Read more
The 2024 World Chess Championship between Ding Liren and Gukesh Dommaraju in Singapore promises a historic showdown, blending youth, experience, and global representation. The Contenders Ding Liren, crowned World Champion in 2023 after a hard-fought victory over Ian Nepomniachtchi, faces a difficult challenge as he defends his title. At 32, Ding’s journey has been irregular. … Read more