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Chess Politics

England's FIDE Delegate Malcolm Pein Fires Starting Gun On Presidential ElectionsChess impresario IM Malcolm Pein says he will try to oust FIDE's Russian president Arkady Dvorkovich if the incumbent is sanctioned by the EU.April 20, 2026·3 min read

Anish Giri Asks FIDE to Pay for Its Own CircuitAnish Giri went on ChessBase India this week and asked, on camera, if FIDE might consider paying for the tournament series that bears its name.April 20, 2026·3 min read

Should FIDE's Latest Partnership Raise Questions? Freedom Holding's Growing Role in Funding ChessFIDE's new partnership with Freedom Holding Corp promises more investment in chess—but the company’s historical ties to Russia raise difficult questions about optics.April 13, 2026·5 min read

What Does Viktor Orban's Election Defeat Mean For Chess? Quite A Lot Actually, Just Ask FIDEWith Viktor Orban out, questions are mounting over the future of Arkady Dvorkovich, EU sanctions, and whether we'll see a challenger at the elections this September.April 12, 2026·4 min read

The Election Chess Is WatchingHungary is voting today. For the first time, chess has its own reason to care.April 12, 2026·6 min read

Chess Decided To Become An Airport. Nobody Asked If That Was A Good Idea.The sport that once prided itself on pure intellect now scans its players before and after every game. This is what happens when a sport panics—and what it accidentally confesses in the process.April 5, 2026·5 min read

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, Alien Abductee, Wants To Run For FIDE President AgainThe colourful former head of the world chess federation is known for his outlandish claims. Now he says he could be back this year.March 30, 2026·7 min read

Russia Ordered To Stop Organising Chess Events In Occupied Ukraine Or Face 3-Year SuspensionThe Court of Arbitration in Sport has delivered a stinging rebuke to FIDE and the Chess Federation of Russia.March 27, 2026·3 min read

The Show Must Go On: FIDE Responds To Fears The Candidates In Cyprus Is Under ThreatAre the world's top chess players about to fly into a warzone? FIDE's CEO says no, but the situation will be monitored.March 15, 2026·3 min read

German Chess At War: DSB Dispute Escalates After Congress Request RejectedWhile the likes of Keymer and Bluebaum blaze a trail on the international stage, all is not well in Germany's domestic game. Why do chess administrators just love to fight?March 10, 2026·6 min read

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Popular news

Bodhana Sivanandan, 11, Eyes Third IM Norm After Holding Grandmaster

Bodhana Sivanandan, 11, Eyes Third IM Norm After Holding Grandmaster

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Think Magnus Carlsen Is Losing Interest In Chess? Think Again

Think Magnus Carlsen Is Losing Interest In Chess? Think Again

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FIDE Seeks Legal Opinion Over Russian Championships After Donetsk Row

FIDE Seeks Legal Opinion Over Russian Championships After Donetsk Row

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FIDE Election 2026: Everything You Need To Know

FIDE Election 2026: Everything You Need To Know

Chess Politics·Oct 18·20 min read

Chess Terms

Term of the day

Chess Fork

One move, two threats: a fork attacks two pieces at once, and only one can be saved.

More terms

A pinned piece cannot move without exposing a more valuable one behind it.

The reverse of a pin: the valuable piece is hit first and the one behind it falls.

Discovered Attack

A piece steps aside and uncovers an attack from the piece it was blocking.

Back Rank Checkmate

Mate on the last rank: the king's own pawns leave it nowhere to run.

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Games & tests

Game of the day

How much chess do you actually know?

Think you know chess? Eight questions, from easy to unfair. Your score becomes a rating, and we'll tell you how many people you're ahead of.

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Puzzle · every day

A fresh tactic each morning, rated against the community.

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