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Who Starts The Clock in Chess?
The player handling the black pieces is usually the person to starts the clock to allow White to make the first move. Afterward the first move (say d4 or e4),…
How To Play The French Defense For White And Black
The French Defense is one of the oldest chess openings in the game. It is very popular among all levels, from master level to amateur. At master level, it is…
What is Threefold Repetition in Chess?
Ever been in a chess game where the same position just keeps repeating over and over? You make a move, your opponent counters, a few moves later you're back where…
Is Chess a Hobby?
YES, Chess is a great hobby that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and skill levels. It is a strategy game that is both rewarding and challenging for…
All You Need to Know About Blindfold Chess
Ever wondered what it's like to play chess without seeing the board? Blindfold chess is an incredible skill where players compete without looking at the physical chessboard. If you've never…
Are Chess Players Allowed To Talk During the Games?
Have you ever wondered if chess players are allowed to chat with each other during matches? You've probably seen photos of chess grandmasters hunched over boards, staring intensely at the…
How Do Chess Engines Work?
Ever wondered how chess engines like Stockfish are able to beat even the best chess players in the world? You're not alone. Chess engines seem almost superhuman in their ability…
How To Become a Woman Grandmaster in Chess
To become a Woman Grandmaster (WGM) in chess, you'll need to achieve three norms and have a minimum Elo rating of 2300 with at least 30 rated games. But what…
How To Become a National Master in Chess
The title of “National Master” (NM) is awarded by some national chess federations. These titles are not recognized by FIDE, and each federation is free to set its own standards…
How To Play The Queen’s Gambit Opening: Typical Ideas And Variations
The Queen is the most powerful piece on the chess board. So it comes as no surprise that it has an opening named after it. The Queen's Gambit opening is…
How To Play the Petrov Defense For White And Black
The Petrov's Defense which is also called the Russian Game, is a solid defense for Black against the King's pawn opening (1. e4). In the Petrov, Black responds to White's…
How To Play the Ruy Lopez Opening For White And Black
The Ruy Lopez is one of the oldest and most decorated openings in chess. It dates back centuries ago and is a very popular opening across all levels, from master…
How To Play The Alekhine’s Defense For White And Black
The Alekhine's Defense is a hypermodern opening that starts with the development of the knight. The opening is an option for Black to reply to White's king's pawn opening (1.…
What Side Does The Chess Clock Go On?
A very common practice is that the player with the black pieces chooses which side the clock goes on. This is because the player with white pieces always gets to…
What is Underpromotion In Chess?
You’re in the middle of an intense chess match and your pawn has made it all the way across the board. Now you have a choice to make. Do you…
How to Play the Slav Defense? Ideas and Variations For White and Black
The Slav Defense is a chess opening for Black that begins with the moves 1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6. It's one of the most popular defenses to the Queen’s gambit and…
Chess Etiquette: 9 Basic Dos and Donts for Players
Chess is not all about tactics and strategies and crushing your opponents. You also need to learn how to follow proper chess etiquette and demonstrate good sportsmanship. This is important…
Why Do Chess Players Resign Early? (And Why You Probably Shouldn’t)
Ever wonder why chess players resign so early sometimes? You're in the middle of an intense match, pieces are captured left and right, the game is really heating up -…
Is Chess a Waste Of Time?
Ever wondered if all those hours spent learning and playing chess were really worth it? You've probably heard the arguments from well-meaning friends and family. "It's just a game." "You're…
Is Chess Addictive?
Ever found yourself playing just one more game of chess? You tell yourself you'll stop after this match, but then hours fly by as you're focused on outmaneuvering your opponent.…
How To Play The London System With Ideas For White And Black
The London System is one of White's most popular 1. d4 openings. It's considered a system because White can play the same moves for a variety of Black's responses. The…
Can Chess Cause Stress?
Short answer is YES. Chess can actually cause stress. While playing chess can provide many benefits, including improved concentration, problem-solving skills, and critical thinking, it can also cause stress. The…
Is Chess an Olympic Sport? A Quick Answer
Chess is one of the world's most popular games, but it's not actually recognized as an Olympic sport. Here are a couple of reasons why chess hasn't made it into…
What Is the Touch Move Rule in Chess?
Ever wondered why chess players are so hesitant to touch their pieces until they’re absolutely sure about their move? It’s because of something called the touch move rule. The touch…
Is Chess a Sport, Art or Science?
What exactly is chess? Is it a sport, like tennis or soccer? An art form, like music or painting? Or is it more of a science, based on logic and…
Why are Chess Championships Separated by Gender?
You've probably heard of the World Chess Championship, but did you know there are actually separate championships for men and women? At first glance, this seems strange. After all, chess…
How To Play the Berlin Defense For White And Black
The Berlin Defense is a chess opening for Black that stems from the Ruy Lopez which starts with 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5. With the Bb5 move,…
15 Best Chess Openings For White
Chess has been a popular game for centuries, and one of the most critical aspects of the game is the opening. The opening is the game phase, where players make…
12 Important Chess Tactics You Should Know
Chess Tactics is a move or a combination of moves that pose one or more instant dangers to an opponent. Most often, these threats are material gains, checkmate threats, and…
Chess Endgames: The Great Element Of Chess Mastery
Introduction Chess is categorized into three phases; the opening, the middlegame, and the endgame. The phases are identified to enable theoreticians to study chess more effectively. The chess opening is…
Chess Boards: A Complete Overview
Chess is a battle of minds in which a player's wildest imaginations become reality. There are endless possibilities that can arise from a game of chess; it all depends on…
40 Checkmate Patterns Sure To Win You Games
A large percentage of chess skills ride on pattern recognition. For instance, you see certain pieces placed in certain positions and immediately recognize a pattern. In addition, chess openings are…
How To Play Chess For Beginners: Learn Rules, Moves, Setup, Efficient Tactics & Strategy
Did you recently encounter a fancy-looking game, and you'd like to know more about this mysterious game? Would you like to know how to play chess? Then, you've come to…
How to Learn Chess: A Complete Beginners’ Guide
Chess is one of the most popular board games of all time. It's widely loved, played worldwide for centuries and has inspired one of the most popular Netflix series in…
The Best Chess Books of all Time: From Beginner to Advanced
Reading chess books is one of the primary ways a chess player acquires knowledge. However, the most instructive and suitable chess books for beginners to advanced players are frequently debated.…
How To Be A Chess Grandmaster In 11 Detailed Steps – ChessForSharks.com
The grandmaster title is the ultimate achievement in chess, second only to the world championship. 600+ players have earned the GM title worldwide, after years of commitment and toil. Aspiring…
