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What is a Draw in Chess?
A draw in chess simply means the game ended in a tie - neither player won. There are a few ways a draw can happen: Stalemate This is when your…
What Elo Do You Start at in Chess?
The FIDE rating system is based on a player’s performance in their first event(s) and is dependent upon the strength of their opponents. There is no minimum rating to start…
What is the 20-40-40 Rule in Chess?
The 20-40-40 rule is a simple chess strategy that can help you win more games. The idea is to spend: - 20% of your time on the opening. The opening…
What is the Lowest Title in Chess?
The Candidate Master (CM) title is the lowest title in chess, which is awarded to players who surpass an official FIDE rating of 2200 in international competition. FIDE stands for the Fédération Internationale…
What is Sandbagging in Chess?
Sandbagging in chess refers to deliberately hiding your true skill level to gain a competitive advantage. Sandbaggers play below their actual strength to lull their opponent into a false sense…
How To Become a Candidate Master
To become a Candidate Master (CM) in chess, you need to achieve an established classical FIDE rating of 2200. The CM title is awarded by the International Chess Federation, FIDE, to…
How To Become an International Master
The International Master title is awarded to chess players who are strong but not quite at the level of grandmasters. It was introduced in 1950, along with the Grandmaster title,…
How To Become a FIDE Master
To become a FIDE Master (FM), a player must achieve a FIDE rating of at least 2300 Elo points in an official FIDE tournament. The player must have also played at…
History Of Fischer Random Chess
Ever wonder how chess would play if the starting positions of the pieces were randomized? You're not alone. On June 19, 1996, Bobby Fischer, the legendary chess champion, publicly introduced…
How to Take Care of Your Chess Sets
Chess sets come in all sorts of materials to accommodate players of various styles and skills levels, with wooden sets still dominating, yet metal and plastic pieces also increasing in…
Top 5 Chess Players With The Highest Chess Ratings
Ever wondered who the highest rated chess players are? You've probably heard of names like Kasparov and Carlsen before, but do you know their actual ratings and just how dominant…
How To Play Blitz Chess
Blitz chess is a fast-paced chess game where each player has a limited amount of time to make their moves. The typical time limit for a blitz game is 5…
10 Best Chess Players Of All Time
Chess, often referred to as the "Game of Kings," has a storied history that spans centuries. Throughout this history, there have been countless grandmasters and brilliant minds who have graced…
What is a Fortress in Chess?
A fortress in chess refers to a defensive structure that's difficult for your opponent to penetrate. Essentially, it's a position that protects your king and maintains control of key central…
What is a Double Attack in Chess? – ChessForSharks.com
You're sitting across from your chess opponent, staring at the board, wondering how to gain the upper hand. A clever tactic like the double attack could be just what you…
Is Chess a Relaxing Game?
Chess is one of those games that people tend to have strong opinions about. Some see it as an intellectual challenge that exercises the mind, while others dismiss it as…
Duties and Roles of a Chess Arbiter
Arbiters are highly trained referees with official certification from the World Chess Federation (FIDE), who ensure games adhere to the FIDE Rules of Chess. If you like to become an…
What Are The Different Chess Time Controls?
Ever wonder why some chess games seem to fly by while others drag on for what seems like hours? The time control is the reason. As a chess player, the…
How to Play Classical Chess
Classical chess is standard chess played at a slower time control. It's the traditional form of chess that emphasizes strategic gameplay and careful planning. For over the board matches, the…
How to Play Bullet Chess
Ever wondered how those chess players on the park benches move so fast? They're probably playing bullet chess. In bullet chess, each player usually has less than 3 minutes total…
How to Play Rapid Chess
Rapid chess is a fast-paced version of chess where each player has just 15 to 30 minutes to complete all their moves. This means that you don't get to have…
What is the Most Powerful Piece on the Chessboard and Why? – ChessForSharks.com
Whether you're a chess novice or a Grandmaster, you know that capturing your opponent's king is the ultimate goal. But which chess piece is the most powerful and effective in…
Rook or Castle: Which Name Is It?
Before answering this, let's see a little context so you can understand better. The name ‘rook’ comes from the Persian word ‘rukh’, meaning chariot. Centuries ago, the rook piece was…
What Is The Best Response To 1. d4 For Black?
So you're playing a game of chess and your opponent opens with 1. d4, looking to control the center of the board. Now what? As a chess player, the move…
What Is The Best Response To 1. e4 For Black?
Some of the most common replies to e4 are the Sicilian Defense, the French Defense, the Caro-Kann Defense, the Pirc Defense, the Alekhine defense and the Scandinavian Defense. We also…
Who is Anatoly Karpov?
Anatoly Karpov is a Russian chess Grandmaster and former World Chess Champion. Born in 1951 in Zlatoust, Russia, Karpov began playing chess at the age of four and was awarded…
How to Play the Catalan Opening: Ideas And Variations
The Catalan Opening is a very flexible opening that White can employ to gain a solid position before moving into the middlegame. The Catalan Opening was created by Grandmaster Savielly…
Crush Your Opponents With The King’s Indian Attack: A Dynamic Opening Approach
The King's Indian Attack (KIA) is a chess opening known for its flexibility and adaptability. It arises after the moves 1.Nf3 and 2.g3 by white. This opening allows White to…
How To Play the Scotch Game For White And Black
The Scotch Game is an opening move for White that looks to attack the center and create an opening attacking game. The opening got its name from a correspondence match…
How to Play The Popular Sicilian Defense: A Comprehensive Guide for Chess Players
The Sicilian Defense is one of the oldest and most popular openings in chess. Dating as far back as the late 16th century, this opening has been played and analyzed…
How To Play The Nimzo-Indian Defense For White And Black
The Nimzo-Indian Defense is one of the best defenses to the queen’s pawn opening (1. d4). The opening is a hypermodern style of opening as Black starts by developing their…
How To Play The Caro-Kann Defense For White And Black
The Caro-Kann Defense is a solid and careful opening Black can use to combat the king's pawn opening (1. e4). Its origins can be traced back to the early 1880s…
The Complete English Opening Repertoire for White and Black
The English opening is a unique type of opening where White seeks to control the center without using the e or d-pawns. In the English, the c-pawn, which is a…
The King’s Gambit: A Sharp Opening for Sharp Minds
You're an ambitious chess player looking to surprise your opponent and gain an early advantage. You want to play sharp, tactical chess and attack from the very first move. Then…
How To Play The Scandinavian Defense: Major Ideas For White And Black
The Scandinavian Defense is a way for Black to immediately challenge White's efforts to control the center from the very first move. Right off the bat, Black aggressively challenges White's…
A Complete Guide To Playing The Pirc Defense For White And Black
The Pirc Defense is one of the most popular openings in chess. This opening leads to positions that can take different shapes – could be quiet and calm, complex or…
