Active games

Start new game and compete for FIDE Online and Worldchess rating, or invite a friend and train with no hassle at all!

0

Tournaments

Women's Chess Ecosystem Goes From Strength-To-StrengthThe 2026 Cairns Cup announcement, the expanding WR Women's Chess Tour and Norway Chess Women's commitment to equal prize money underline the remarkable growth of elite women's chess.July 9, 2026·4 min read

World's Most Dramatic Grandmaster Does It The Dramatic Way To Win Grand Chess Tour CroatiaNo one does drama quite like Alireza Firouzja. After seeing a seemingly comfortable lead evaporate on the final day, the French star survived an historic Armageddon tiebreak to win the 2026 Super Rapid & Blitz Croatia.July 6, 2026·4 min read

The Dragon Breathes Fire Again: Chinese Team Completes Historic Golden Double In Hong KongUzbekistan and India have dominated chess over the past year—but in Hong Kong it was the Chinese team Dragon Chilling that was awakened at FIDE's glitzy team tournament.June 21, 2026·5 min read

World Chess Weekly: Sizzling Norway Chess Was One For The Ages—And Pragg A Worthy WinnerGMs Praggnanandhaa R and Bibisara Assaubayeva go home happy from this unique event. But GMs Magnus Carlsen and Gukesh D not so much.June 5, 2026·7 min read

Carlsen In Crisis: 'There's Just A Mess In My Head'Will Magnus Carlsen come back to classical after this? The 35-year-old's rollercoaster ride at Norway Chess has hit rock bottom after his latest loss.May 31, 2026·3 min read

World Chess Weekly: Magnus Reminds Us Who's Daddy At Norway ChessNorway Chess has been up-and-down for the former World Champion. But on Thursday, he faced the current World Champion—and won with all his usual aplomb.May 29, 2026·4 min read

Magnus Carlsen Is Last On The Leaderboard At Norway Chess After Another LossHe's the world number-one. He's the GOAT of chess. He's won it seven times... But he collapsed in time trouble.May 28, 2026·3 min read

Time To Put Your Feet Up, Firouzja: Injured Star Kicks Carlsen On Day 1 Of Norway ChessYou've got to hand it to Firouzja: the Frenchman put his best foot forward at Norway Chess—and scored.May 26, 2026·4 min read

Esports World Cup Moves To France—But Clash With Grand Chess Tour Remains UnresolvedThe Esports World Cup has said "Oui" to moving its venue, but "Non" to moves its dates.May 23, 2026·3 min read

Magnus Carlsen Loses An Endgame, So The Chess World Loses Its MindThe king of grinding it out in the endgame is dead. Long live the king! Photo: Peter Doggers.May 5, 2026·3 min read

11–20 of 72

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 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.

All 144 terms →

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.

More games

Puzzle · every day

A fresh tactic each morning, rated against the community.

Play a rated game

Find an opponent of your level in the lobby.

All 3 games →