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The World Rapid and Blitz is going to Istanbul. The title sponsor is the FIDE President.Freedom Holding, whose founder Timur Turlov took over FIDE five weeks ago, is paying for the year-end championship. This is how chess gets funded now, and it works, kind of.November 1, 2026·3 min read

FIDE Backs Shorter Classical Chess Games—But Draws Line At Three Rounds A DayThe world governing body is preparing to relax classical chess time controls after a General Assembly vote, but disagreements remain over how far the changes should go.October 12, 2026·4 min read

London Chess Classic Reveals A Field That Reflects Chess's Changing OrderNodirbek Abdusattorov returns to defend his title against a field mixing established stars, rising talents and British veterans—as London's flagship tournament looks to the future.October 10, 2026·6 min read

Pragg Breaks 'Curse' Of The Draw To Take Control At Grand Chess Tour FinalsAfter draws, draws and more draws in St Louis this summer, someone has finally won a classical game. GM Praggnanandhaa R broke the deadlock with a huge victory over GM Vincent Keymer.August 24, 2026·5 min read

Carlsen's Conundrum: Elite Chess Is Bursting at the SeamsThe Grand Chess Tour Finals, the climax of one of the most prestigious competitions in chess, have begun. Yet, these days, chess doesn't seem to have much of a climax. It just keeps going.August 23, 2026·4 min read

Chess Olympiad 2026: Seven Storylines You Need to Know Before It StartsThe world's biggest team chess event returns in September. From India's attempt at an historic double defence to a World Championship preview on Uzbek soil, here are seven stories that could define the 2026 Chess Olympiad.August 20, 2026·9 min read

With Cash Thrown Like Confetti, Esports World Cup Chess Is Ready To Steal The LimelightThe Esports World Cup Chess tournament is back and the big players with pocket the cash—but what would fans prefer to watch: the glitz and glam, or chess?August 7, 2026·6 min read

Why India Can Win The British Chess ChampionshipIndia's chess revolution has already conquered the world's biggest stages. Now its influence could extend to one of the game's oldest tournaments.July 29, 2026·4 min read

Esports World Cup-Grand Chess Tour Clash Claims First Casualty As MVL Withdraws From ParisThe French star has chosen the Grand Chess Tour. With Carlsen, Nakamura and Firouzja playing in Paris, he has more chance of winning.July 16, 2026·5 min read

'Purely Politically Motivated': FIDE's World Cup Revamp Sparks BacklashFirst, it was football fans getting their heads around a new format for a beloved tournament. Now, it's chess.July 14, 2026·5 min read

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Popular news

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

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.

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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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