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Bodhana Sivanandan, 11, Becomes Youngest Female International Master In HistoryThe English chess prodigy has broken a record held by the legendary Judit Polgar after completing the requirements for the International Master title at the European Club Cup.October 23, 2026·4 min read

Wesley So, Not So Boring After AllThe American grandmaster recovered from a disastrous final-round defeat and a sleepless night to beat Fabiano Caruana in a dramatic playoff and claim his fourth US Championship title.October 23, 2026·4 min read

'I'm Kind Of Just Chill': Rachael Li, 16, Wins US Women's Championship On DebutThe American teenager defeated some of the country's biggest chess names, earned her first IM norm and collected $35,000 in a remarkable breakthrough performance.October 22, 2026·3 min read

Bodhana Sivanandan, 11, Eyes Third IM Norm After Holding GrandmasterEngland's youngest Woman Grandmaster has bounced back from an opening-round defeat to score 2.5 points from her next three games at the European Club Cup in Montenegro.October 20, 2026·5 min read

Think Magnus Carlsen Is Losing Interest In Chess? Think AgainThe world number-one has signed up for yet another new tournament, this time in Barcelona, as the MOVE Cup launches with a €300,000 prize fund and an equal amount pledged to charity.October 20, 2026·5 min read

Bodhana Sivanandan, 11, Wins All 17 Games In Remarkable Blitz RunEngland's record-breaking chess prodigy continued her extraordinary year with a perfect score at the Belfast qualifier for the UK Open Blitz Championships.October 10, 2026·2 min read

Kasparov Says US And Lithuanian Security Services Warned His Life Was In DangerFor chess great Garry Kasparov, alleged Russian plots to assassinate Kremlin opponents abroad are no laughing matter.October 3, 2026·4 min read

Bodhana Sivanandan, 11, Becomes WGM And Scores Second IM Norm At Chess OlympiadBodhana Sivanandan arrived at the Chess Olympiad aged 11 and was asked to lead England from board one. She leaves Samarkand having completed the requirements for the Woman Grandmaster title—and with a second International Master norm putting her well on the way towards an even bigger title.September 27, 2026·4 min read

Carlsen–Nepo, Five Years On: World Championship Rivals Meet AgainMagnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi renew one of the defining rivalries of recent chess history on Sunday when they meet at the Global Chess League in Bengaluru.September 6, 2026·2 min read

Anand: Praggnanandhaa Is The No.1 Player In The World Right NowPraggnanandhaa may only be 12th on the official rankings, but five-time World Champion GM Viswanathan Anand believes there is nobody playing better chess right now.August 31, 2026·3 min read

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Popular news

Carlsen Strikes First As Total Chess Begins—But Vaishali Steals The Spotlight

Carlsen Strikes First As Total Chess Begins—But Vaishali Steals The Spotlight

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Total Chess 2026: Everything You Need To Know

Total Chess 2026: Everything You Need To Know

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Total Chess Pilot: Five Things To Watch As Carlsen Tests Chess's New Format

Total Chess Pilot: Five Things To Watch As Carlsen Tests Chess's New Format

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Carlsen Makes Surprise London Detour For World Rapid & Blitz Champs Warm-Up

Carlsen Makes Surprise London Detour For World Rapid & Blitz Champs Warm-Up

Magnus Carlsen · World Rapid & Blitz Championships · London Chess Classic·Nov 8·4 min read

Chess Terms

Term of the day

Chess Pin

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

More terms

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

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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