Imagine this: you’re deep into a tense tournament game. Your position is winning. You’ve calculated everything. Then suddenly… ring ring. Your phone just betrayed you. In modern chess, this isn’t just embarrassing, it can instantly cost you the game. Let’s break down exactly what happens if a phone rings during a chess game, based on … Read more
Use this free chess performance calculator to instantly estimate your rating based on your tournament results. Supports FIDE calculation, linear method, and accurate expected score models. Calculate Your Chess Performance Rating What is a Chess Performance Rating? A performance rating estimates how strong you played in a tournament based on your opponents and results. This … Read more
If you’ve ever played in an over-the-board chess tournament, you may have come across the term “bye.” At first, it sounds simple. Maybe even unimportant. But in reality, understanding how byes work—and when to use them—can make a meaningful difference in your tournament experience and even your final score. Let’s break it down in a … Read more
In the journey of every club player, there is a defining moment where the “art” of tactics begins to lose its luster against seasoned competition. You might find yourself frustrated by a “thoughtful positional player” who doesn’t seem to do anything spectacular, yet somehow leaves your position in ruins. This is the pivotal transition from … Read more
For any chess player dedicated to improvement, the most formidable opponent isn’t a person across the board; it’s the plateau. It’s that flat, featureless landscape where your rating seems frozen in time, where every game feels like a repeat of the last, and the joy of discovery gives way to the grind of repetition. Breaking … Read more
Ottawa has a varied chess scene that suits players of all levels, from serious competitors to casual beginners. Despite its modest size, Canada’s capital offers formal clubs, university groups, cafés, libraries and even outdoor venues for chess lovers. Below are the main places to play, grouped by experience. Competitive Chess Clubs RA Chess Club – … Read more
Dallas, Texas is more than just a major business and cultural center—it is also home to a strong and diverse chess community. From long-established competitive clubs to relaxed social groups that meet in cafés and parks, Dallas offers chess opportunities for players of every age and skill level. Whether you are learning the rules for … Read more
Adelaide is a beautiful and relaxed city in South Australia, known for its parks, festivals, and strong sense of community. Beyond its cultural life, Adelaide is also home to a growing and welcoming chess scene. From traditional chess clubs to casual café meetups, players of all ages and skill levels can find affordable places to … Read more
Chess is often celebrated as a game of infinite possibilities, but in the world of competitive play, games cannot actually go on forever. To ensure tournaments run smoothly and players aren’t subjected to tests of physical endurance rather than mental skill, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) has established specific rules to end games that have … Read more
When people think of Perth, Australia, chess is not usually the first thing that comes to mind. The city is more often associated with beaches, outdoor living, and a relaxed lifestyle far removed from the hustle of Australia’s eastern capitals. However, beneath that laid-back surface, Perth hosts a surprisingly active and well-structured chess community. Whether … Read more