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Esports World Cup Must Move Its Chess Event Or Risk Losing Top Stars, Caruana WarnsThe U.S. Champion says GMs Magnus Carlsen and Hikaru Nakamura could be left playing in a weak tournament.February 25, 2026·4 min read

Your Brain Peaks at 30. Chess Proves It.A study of nearly 2,000 Grandmasters pinpoints the age when strategic thinking, memory, and mental stamina converge — and what happens afterFebruary 18, 2026·10 min read

Gukesh Is Making The Most Of Being World Champion—And Good On HimThe Indian's workload has been relentless since he won the king of chess crown. Now he's added another tournament to his list this year: Norway Chess 2026.February 3, 2026·5 min read

The New Chess Rivalry: How Uzbekistan Has Disrupted India's Chess AscentWill everyone please stop talking about how India is going to rule the world of chess? There are other nations on the block—most notably, Uzbekistan.February 2, 2026·6 min read

Nepo Names His Tips For The 2026 Candidates As The Countdown BeginsAs the most brutal event in chess approaches, two-time winner Ian Nepomniachtchi delivers a blunt assessment of the field.January 29, 2026·6 min read

He's Self-Taught, Never Studies And Prefers Farming To Chess: Meet Grandmaster Julio GrandaPeru's natural talent is one of the most extraordinary figures in chess—a player who confesses he's only read one chess book in his life, and that was 'out of boredom.'January 26, 2026·5 min read

Grandmaster Banned For Harassing Female Player Returns To CompetitionHis actions shocked the chess world. Now GM Christopher Yoo is back. How will the chess community react?January 25, 2026·3 min read

Naroditsky's Cause Of Death Offers Clarity—But Not For KramnikA report into Daniel Naroditsky's death concludes it was accidental and he had a cocktail of drugs in his system. One former world champion still has questions, however.January 22, 2026·4 min read

Where Is Ding Liren? Ex-Champ Has Played So Few Classical Games He's Now Officially InactiveThe symbolism is huge: a World Champion fading from the rankings without ever saying goodbye.January 5, 2026·4 min read

Who Are Your 2026 National Chess Champs? Kings and Queens You Didn’t See ComingThe final month of 2025 saw a flurry of national champions being crowned. But they're not always the country's top player. Here we round up who is holding those titles.January 4, 2026·6 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

Total Chess·Nov 10·4 min read

Total Chess 2026: Everything You Need To Know

Total Chess 2026: Everything You Need To Know

Total Chess·Nov 9·16 min read

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

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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