We have all heard the term "grandmaster," but do you know that there is also the national master (NM) title? How does someone attain this title? Who awards it? Let's answer all of these questions and more. Here is what you need to know about the NM title: What Is The National Master Title? Who...
One of the standard pieces of advice that strong players pass on to beginners is that they should almost always castle early to keep their kings safe. But what if you can't castle at all? Here's what you need to know about No Castling chess: What Is No Castling Chess? How To Play No Castling Chess...
Chess novelty is a term heard frequently in the chess world, but what does it mean? Is it a new opening? A new idea? Let's find out! Here is what you need to know about chess novelties: What Is A Chess Novelty? Why Are Chess Novelties Important? How To Learn Openings On Chess.com Conclusion What...
Playing chess is a lot of fun, but it can be tedious if you're playing against someone whose skill level is very different from yours. If they're too good, you won't even have a fighting chance, and if they're a lot worse, your victories will have no meaning—unless you're playing Odds Chess. Here's...
If you are a tactical player who thrives in chaos and likes to attack, playing for an open game is probably a good bet for you. Here's what you need to know about open games: What Is An Open Game In Chess? Open Game Example Why Is Identifying Open Games Important? Conclusion What Is An Open Game...
Opera Game? Is that some kind of opening variation or a chess variant? No, the Opera Game refers to a magnificent game played by Paul Morphy! Here is what you need to know about the Opera Game: What Is The Opera Game? Why Is The Opera Game Important? The Opera Game Conclusion What Is The Opera Game? The...
If you want to win more king and pawn endgames, you must be familiar with the concept of the opposition. Here's what you need to know about this technique that will help you win more games: What Is Opposition In Chess? What Is 'Diagonal' And 'Distant' Opposition? Why Is The Opposition Important? Test...
If you're part of the online chess community, you'll probably see someone talking about OTB chess at some point. But what exactly does that mean? Here's what you need to know about OTB chess: What Is OTB Chess? Why Is OTB Chess Important? Conclusion What Is OTB Chess? When people refer to OTB chess,...
The word outpost implies some distant lookout point, but in chess, all the pieces are within eight squares of each other. So what in the world is an outpost in chess? Read on to learn more about this important strategic concept. What Is An Outpost? Why Are Outposts Important? Examples Conclusion What...
Sometimes a chess piece can have too much on its plate. When this is the case, a whole position can fall apart in a matter of seconds! This article teaches you the concept of overloading in the royal game and how it can change the outcome of a game. What Is Overloading In Chess? Why Is Overloading...
There are many different types of pawns. A passed pawn is one that should be understood, supported (or stopped) and potentially feared! Here is what you need to know about passed pawns: What Is A Passed Pawn? Types Of Passed Pawns Why Are Passed Pawns Important? Test Conclusion The passed pawn...
The pawn is the least powerful chess piece, but it can be promoted into any other chess piece (except for a king). As Philidor once said, "Pawns are the soul of chess!" Here is what you need to know about pawns: The Pawn How The Pawn Moves How The Pawn Captures And En Passant Promotion Test Conclusion Video...
Have you ever wondered how grandmasters can tell which side will win an eventual endgame? Or how they decide where or how to attack? Part of their secret is their understanding of pawn majorities—and now you can learn what that secret is! Here is everything you know about pawn majorities: What...
Promoting a pawn is one of the main goals of chess during an endgame. The mere threat of promoting can be a significant advantage for the player who is familiar with this strategy. Here is all you need to know about pawn promotion. What Is A Pawn Promotion? What Is An Underpromotion? Notation For The...
Pawns are the weakest piece in chess. Individually, they can do little to cause damage. But once pawns unite and start marching together, you'd better run for cover! When a pawn storm takes form, one of the players can get quickly wiped off the board. What Is A Pawn Storm In Chess? Why Is The Pawn...
"Pawn structure" is a term that is unfamiliar to many beginners, but one that is known to intermediate players (and well-known to advanced players). But what does it mean? Let's find out! Here is what you need to know about pawn structures: What Are Pawn Structures? Why Are Pawn Structures Important? What...
Chess has many different types of pawns, and identifying them can be confusing! Let's take a look at the different types and learn which are desirable and which ones you can try to avoid. Here is what you need to know about the different types of pawns: What Is A Pawn Type? Strong And Weak Pawns Doubled...
There are different types of checks in chess, but what exactly is a perpetual check? Is it what it sounds like? Let's find out! Here is what you need to know about perpetual check: What Is Perpetual Check? Why Are Perpetual Checks Important? Test Conclusion What Is A Perpetual Check? A perpetual...
Do you know how to hold your position together when your opponent is a pawn up in an endgame? If you both have one rook and you can enter the Philidor Position, this will not be a challenge for you. Here is what you need to know about the Philidor Position: What Is The Philidor Position? Why Is The...
Tactics are a big part of any chess duel. Among the basic tactics, the pin is one of the most common you can use to surprise your opponent and win the game. What Is A Pin In Chess? What Is An Absolute Pin? What Is A Relative Pin? How To Take Advantage Of A Pin In Chess How To Get Out Of A Pin In Chess Test...
You see a pawn hanging. Do you take it? Be careful: you could be staring at a poisoned pawn that will cost you the game. Here is what you need to know about a poisoned pawn. What Is A Poisoned Pawn In Chess? Why Are Poisoned Pawns Important? Test Your Skills Conclusion What Is A Poisoned Pawn In...
Can you imagine how hard it would be for you to record all of the moves from the games you played online? Fortunately, the PGN is a tool that makes that job very easy. Here is what you need to know about the PGN: What Is PGN In Chess? Why Are PGNs Important? How Do PGNs Work? How To Use PGN On Chess.com Conclusion What...
It's no secret that analyzing your games after you play them is a great way to improve your chess. It is common practice in over the board tournaments to quickly look over your game with your opponent after it is completed. In doing so, you can gain valuable insights! Here's what you need to know...
What happens if you're about to deliver a checkmate, but your clock is ticking down to its last seconds? If you know what premoves are, you have nothing to fear! Here's everything you need to know about this important aspect of online chess. What Is A Premove In Chess? Why Are Premoves Important? How...
Hard to say at first and even harder to spell, what is prophylaxis in chess? Read on to learn more about this key strategic chess concept. What Is Prophylaxis? Why Is Prophylaxis Important? Examples Conclusion What Is Prophylaxis? Prophylaxis is seeing what your opponent wants to do and stopping...
