Chess 101
Explore simple yet insightful resources to kickstart your chess mastery in this category.
Chess 101
What Happens When Pawns Reach the End
When a pawn reaches the farthest rank. it promotes. Promotion is one of chess’s most decisive rules. It transforms a...
Chess 101
How Chess Games End in a Draw: All Rules You Need to Know
Not every chess game ends with checkmate. In fact, about 60% of the games between strong players end in a...
Chess 101
Illegal Moves and Touch-Move Rule Explained
If you’ve ever played a serious chess game, you’ve probably heard someone say, “You touched it—you have to move it!”...
Chess 101
FIDE vs USCF Ratings: What’s the Difference?
If you play over-the-board chess, you’ve probably seen at least two different rating numbers next to players’ names: a FIDE...
Chess 101
Understanding the Elo Rating System in Chess
If you’ve ever played chess online or followed professional tournaments, you’ve probably seen those mysterious numbers next to players’ names—something...
Chess 101
USCF Grand Prix Points: A Complete Guide
If you’ve ever wondered why some of America’s top chess players spend their weekends traveling to small towns and regional...
Chess 101
What’s a Good USCF Rating? A Look at the Real Numbers
If you’ve ever wondered how your USCF rating compares to other players, you’re not alone. One of the most common...
Chess 101
How to Get a USCF Chess Rating (Even If You’re a Total Beginner)
So you’ve been playing online. You’ve beaten your friends. And now you’re asking: How do I get a real chess...
Chess 101
USCF Chess Ratings Explained: How to Gain (or Lose) Points in Every Game
If you’ve played chess in the United States, you’ve probably heard of the USCF rating. It’s a number that shows...
Chess 101
Who Goes First in Chess – Why It Always Starts This Way?
If you’ve ever watched a chess game, you may have noticed something consistent: one player always moves first. But who...