intermediate

How to Defend Against Gambits in Chess

How to Defend Against Gambits in Chess

NM
June 17, 2025

Discover essential methods to refute gambits in chess: accept or decline them wisely, master Morra and Najdorf Poisoned Pawn defenses, and...

Blackmar–Diemer Gambit and 15 Ways to Win

Blackmar–Diemer Gambit and 15 Ways to Win

XB
June 17, 2025

The Blackmar–Diemer Gambit (BDG) is a bold and controversial chess opening where White sacrifices a pawn for rapid development and attacking chances....

The Orangutan Opening: When Real Rebels Start with 1.b4

The Orangutan Opening: When Real Rebels Start with 1.b4

NM
June 15, 2025

Among the many first moves in chess, few are as whimsical, eccentric, and surprisingly rich as 1.b4, a move known...

11 Tactical Traps and Pitfalls in the Grob Opening

11 Tactical Traps and Pitfalls in the Grob Opening

NM
June 5, 2025

This rare and unconventional opening The Grob, also known as the Spike Opening, is named after Swiss International Master Henry...

Building an Opening Repertoire: The Complete Guide

Building an Opening Repertoire: The Complete Guide

XB
June 5, 2025

In This Article When it comes to mastering chess openings, there’s no single road to follow, only paths paved by...

Zugzwang: When Moving Is a Curse

Zugzwang: When Moving Is a Curse

NM
May 21, 2025

Zugzwang is a German term describing a situation where the player whose turn it is to move is at a...

Exploring the Mikenas Defense: A Surprise Weapon in Chess

XB
April 18, 2025

Chess players love finding hidden tricks to catch opponents off guard. One such tricky opening is the Mikenas Defense (also called the...

1.d4: The Great Mystery of Counterplay (And How to Crack It)

1.d4: The Great Mystery of Counterplay (And How to Crack It)

NM
February 11, 2025

Ah, 1.d4—the opening that whispers, “I’m here for a strategic, positional grind, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”...

Positional Chess: The Art of Building a Winning Foundation

Positional Chess: The Art of Building a Winning Foundation

NM
December 24, 2024

Chess isn’t just a game of quick tactics and flashy combinations—it’s also about the quiet, methodical work of positional play....

11 Toughest Mate-In-2 Puzzles from Real Games

11 Toughest Mate-In-2 Puzzles from Real Games

NM
March 15, 2024

Prepare to test your tactical skill with a collection of the 11 toughest mate-in-2 puzzles sourced directly from real games on Lichess.