Chess 101
Explore simple yet insightful resources to kickstart your chess mastery in this category.
Chess 101
How to Use the Pawnocchio Chess Engine
If you are exploring chess engines beyond the most famous names like Stockfish or Komodo, you might come across a...
Chess 101
How to Use the Halogen Chess Engine: A Beginner-Friendly Guide
If you are getting into chess software, you may come across something called the Halogen Chess Engine. It is not...
Chess 101
Why Is Over-the-Board Chess Harder Than Online?
If you’ve ever played both online chess and over-the-board (OTB) chess, you’ve probably felt the difference right away. The same...
Chess 101
Can Anyone Become a Chess Grandmaster?
“Can anybody become a FM? I do think that is available to anybody. Can anybody become a GM? That is...
Chess 101
What Happens If Your Phone Rings During a Chess Game?
Imagine this: you’re deep into a tense tournament game. Your position is winning. You’ve calculated everything. Then suddenly… ring ring....
Chess 101
What Is a “Bye” in Chess and When Should You Take One?
If you’ve ever played in an over-the-board chess tournament, you may have come across the term “bye.” At first, it...
Chess 101
What to Expect at Your First USCF Tournament
Walking into your first USCF tournament can feel intimidating. The room is quiet. Players stare intensely at their boards. Clocks...
Chess 101
How Strong Is a 1600 USCF Player?
If you’ve ever reached (or are aiming for) a 1600 rating in the US Chess Federation (USCF) system, you’ve probably...
Chess 101
Chess.com vs USCF Ratings: How Much Stronger Are You Really?
If you’ve ever switched between online chess and over-the-board tournaments, you’ve probably asked yourself a frustrating question: “Why is my...
Chess 101
Online Rating vs FIDE Rating: a clear, practical guide
If you play chess on Chess.com or Lichess and you don’t have a FIDE rating, you’ve probably wondered: “What would...