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Chess Terms

3 Check Chess

3 Check Chess

If you want to play chess in a fun and new way, 3 Check might be just what you need. Read this article to find out more about this thrilling way of playing chess! What Is 3 Check Chess How To Play 3 Check Chess On Chess.com Conclusion What Is 3 Check Chess A popular variant, 3 Check is very similar...

4 Player Chess

4 Player Chess

Are you in the mood to try a new and exciting way to play chess? If so, 4 Player Chess might be just what you need! What Is 4 Player Chess? Rules Of Standard Free-For-All 4 Player Chess Rules Of Standard Teams 4 Player Chess Other 4 Player Chess Variants Conclusion What Is 4 Player Chess? 4 Player...

50-Move Rule

50-Move Rule

Can a chess game go on forever if neither player can make progress or decides to resign? It turns out that it can't, thanks to the 50-move rule! Here's everything you need to know about this important chess rule: What Is The 50-Move Rule? Why Is The 50-Move Rule Important? Examples Of 50-Move Rule...

Adjournment

Adjournment

If you've ever played chess for an entire afternoon, you know how tiring it can be. At one point, fatigue settles in, and you can't keep up with what's happening over the board. For this precise reason, adjournments were a common occurrence until the 1990s. Here is what you need to know about adjournments: What...

Alekhine's Gun

Alekhine's Gun

Alekhine's gun? Did the former world champion bring a gun to a tournament?! No, don't worry. However, this piece configuration should be feared! Let's find out what Alekhine's gun really is. Here is what you need to know about Alekhine's gun: What Is Alekhine's Gun? Why Is Alekhine's Gun Important? Test Conclusion What...

AlphaZero

AlphaZero

In 2017 the chess world was shaken to its core when Stockfish (the world's strongest chess engine) was defeated in a one-sided match. It was not defeated by a human but by an unknown computer program that seemed to be otherworldly—AlphaZero.  Let's learn more about this powerful chess entity....

Anastasia's Mate

Anastasia's Mate

Do you ever dream of giving a stunning checkmate after sacrificing one of your most powerful pieces? Learning how to deliver Anastasia's Mate can help you with that! What Is Anastasia's Mate? Why Is Anastasia's Mate Important? Test Your Skills Conclusion What Is Anastasia's Mate? Anastasia's Mate...

Arabian Mate

Arabian Mate

The Arabian mate is one of the oldest checkmates recorded in chess history, so it's time for you to learn how to do it! Here's everything you need to know about the Arabian mate. What Is The Arabian Mate Why Is The Arabian Mate Important? How To Deliver The Arabian Mate Conclusion What Is The Arabian...

Arbiter

Arbiter

Almost every competitive endeavor needs a referee, and chess is no different. Every chess tournament has at least one arbiter or tournament director to manage the play, rule on disputes, and ensure a successful event. What Do Arbiters Do? Why Are Arbiters Important? Who Can Become An Arbiter? Conclusion What...

Arena Tournament

Arena Tournament

What is an arena tournament and how does one work? No, it is not a tournament played at a sports arena. Read on to find out what an arena tournament actually is! What Is An Arena Tournament? Why Are They Important? Advantages Disadvantages Conclusion What Is An Arena Tournament? Arenas are a special...

Armageddon

Armageddon

What happens when two players are playing in a tournament final, but they're so close in strength that their games keep ending in a draw? Are they doomed to keep playing until one of them succumbs to exhaustion? Fortunately, there's a better way—armageddon tiebreaks. Here's what you need to know...

Atomic Chess

Atomic Chess

What happens when you mix chess with fire? The answer is Atomic Chess! Find out everything about this type of chess game. What Is Atomic Chess? What Are The Rules For Atomic Chess? Captures And Explosions Threats To The King Special King Rule Special Pawn Rules Game Outcomes How To Play Atomic Chess...

Back-Rank Mate

Back-Rank Mate

In chess, keeping your king protected behind your pawns and away from the center of the board is almost always a good idea. But did you know that this strategy can backfire? That is why you should always keep an eye out for the back-rank mate. What Is A Back-Rank Mate? Why Is The Back-Rank Mate Important? Test...

Backward Pawn

Backward Pawn

What is a backward pawn? Does it actually move backward? Wait—pawns can't move backward! Let's find out what a backward pawn is.  Here is what you need to know about backward pawns: What Is A Backward Pawn? Why Are Backward Pawns Important? Test Conclusion What Is A Backward Pawn? There...

Bad Bishop

Bad Bishop

Most chess players have heard the terms "bad bishop" and "good bishop," but what is the difference? How do you determine if a bishop is bad? Let's find out! Here is what you need to know about bad bishops: What Is A Bad Bishop? Why Are Bad Bishops Important? Test Conclusion What Is A Bad Bishop? A...

Battery

Battery

Chess battery? Do you need special batteries to play chess? No, a battery in chess refers to a piece formation. Let's find out more! Here is everything you need to know about chess batteries: What Is A Battery? Why Are Batteries Important? Test Conclusion What Is A Battery? In chess, a battery refers...

Benny Watts

Benny Watts

One of the strongest chess players in history is also someone who never lived. Meet Benny Watts, the fictional United States Chess Champion. Who Is Benny Watts? Why Does Benny Watts Carry A Knife? Benny Watts' Playing Style Conclusion Who is Benny Watts? Benny Watts is a fictional character in the...

Beth Harmon

Beth Harmon

One of the most famous chess players in the world is also someone who never lived. Meet Beth Harmon, the fictional chess player who has taken the world by storm. Who Is Beth Harmon? Beth Harmon's Playing Style Beth Harmon's Opening Repertoire Conclusion Who Is Beth Harmon? Beth Harmon is a fictional...

Bishop

Bishop

The bishop is an interesting piece because it can move as far as it wants but only on diagonals. It is a long-range piece and can be very dangerous!  Here is what you need to know about the bishop: The Bishop How The Bishop Moves Test Conclusion Video Lesson The Bishop At the beginning of the...

Blindfold Chess

Blindfold Chess

There are lots of different chess variants, which change one or several rules of chess. However, blindfold chess is not a variant, and all of the rules of a regular game of chess still apply—but there is definitely a twist. Can you guess the twist? Here is what you need to know about blindfold...

Blitz Chess

Blitz Chess

There are many different time controls in chess, but blitz chess (or fast chess) has become the time control of choice for most chess players. Let's learn more about blitz chess. Here is what you need to know about fast chess: What Is Blitz Chess? Speed Chess Time Controls Who Plays Speed Chess? How...

Blunder

Blunder

Losing in chess is never fun. It inevitably happens, though, and many times a blunder is the reason for a loss. Here is what you need to know about a blunder in chess. What Is A Blunder In Chess? Why Are Blunders Important? How To Reduce Your Blunders Using Chess.com Test Your Skills Conclusion What...

Boden's Mate

Boden's Mate

A bishop pair is a dangerous weapon when handled by a skilled player. Sometimes, not even a castled king is safe—especially if the attacking player knows about Boden's Mate. Here is what you need to know about this checkmate. What Is Boden's Mate? Why Is Boden's Mate Important? Test Your Skills Conclusion What...

Book Move

Book Move

The term "book move" is used often in chess broadcasts, chess news, and chess articles, but what does it mean? Let's find out what a book move is and why it is important! Here is what you need to know about book moves: What Is A Book Move? Why Are Book Moves Important? Book Moves On Chess.com Conclusion What...

Botez Gambit

Botez Gambit

The Queen's Gambit is one of the most respectable and well-known openings in chess. The Botez Gambit... well, not so much. Learn everything about the famous chess meme created by the Botez sisters. Here's what you need to know about the Botez Gambit: What Is The Botez Gambit? Who Created The Botez...

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