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Hikaru Nakamura Is Not a Chess Player Anymore. He Is Your BossHe lost a game at the Candidates Tournament. He handled it the way your boss handles it when his team misses a deadline. Which is to say: very well.April 4, 2026·2 min read

The Relaxation Room Is Not a Content OpportunityUnless you're winning. In which case, apparently, it is.April 3, 2026·4 min read

England Has A New Top Female Player—She's 11 Years OldWIM Bodhana Sivanandan is blazing a trail through British chess. She's the best thing that's ever happened to the women's game there.April 1, 2026·4 min read

World Chess Champ Gukesh Scales Back Schedule After Poor Run of FormThe Indian star has had a rough start to 2026. Now he says he needs to prioritise training before his title defence.March 31, 2026·4 min read

German Chess Unites Behind 'Underdog': Bluebaum Handed €86,000 To Win CandidatesGermany really, really, REALLY wants it sole competitor at the FIDE Candidates to win.March 24, 2026·4 min read

'Bad Move': Cyprus Chess Chief Dismisses Koneru's Safety Fears As FIDE Doubles-DownGM Humpy Koneru's withdrawl from next week's flagship FIDE Candidates tournament has caused a stir. The hosts aren't happy.March 24, 2026·4 min read

Chess Paradox? Gukesh Struggles While Red-Hot Abdusattorov Is Locked Out of CandidatesArgentine Grandmaster Pablo Ricardi has pointed to a striking imbalance in elite chess and argues structural change is needed.March 9, 2026·4 min read

One Win To Make History: It's Now Or Never For 'Chess Messi' Faustino OroThe 12-year-old prodigy faces crunch time in his bid to become the youngest grandmaster in chess history. It won't be easy—he has to beat a 2600.March 4, 2026·2 min read

WTF Happened To Gukesh? World Champion Drops Like A Stone After Yet Another DefeatIt's tough to see, but India's 19-year-old chess king is really struggling right now. He's 20th in the live rankings and last at the Prague Masters.March 3, 2026·3 min read

Nearly There! Chess World Holds Its Breath As 12-Year-Old Oro Goes For GloryArgentina's 12-year-old "Messi of chess" IM Faustino Oro is still in touch to make history—but he needs a big end to the elite Aeroflot Open.March 2, 2026·2 min read

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Popular news

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

Total Chess·Nov 9·5 min read

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

Carlsen Targets Esports World Cup Hat-Trick—And Another Monster Payday

Carlsen Targets Esports World Cup Hat-Trick—And Another Monster Payday

Esports World Cup · Magnus Carlsen · Norway·Nov 7·7 min read

Chess Terms

Term of the day

Chess Skewer

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

More terms

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

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

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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A fresh tactic each morning, rated against the community.

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