Can a King Kill a King in Chess?

a chess board with white king kicking black king

It’s a question every beginner has asked at some point. You’re playing a game, and the opposing king is just sitting there, one square away. You’ve got your own king nearby, ready to deliver the final blow. Then someone says, “You can’t do that.” Wait. Why not? Let’s clear this up: No, a king cannot … Read more

Blunders in Chess: When Your Brain Takes a Coffee Break

a man playing chess with a women, with a blunder in chess text

Chess is the ultimate test of strategy and patience, but even the best players aren’t immune to the occasional oops moment. Enter the blunder: the move that makes you question everything, from your opening prep to why you even sat down at the board. Blunders are chess’s way of reminding us that perfection is a … Read more

Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour: Is This a Revolution?

Magnus Carlsen, Hans Niemann and Hikaru Nakamura in a swimming pool

Chess has witnessed many transformations over the centuries, but few innovations are as thrilling as Freestyle Chess, also known as Fischer Random or Chess960. This chess variant shakes up the traditional setup by randomizing the back rank’s pieces, creating 960 unique starting positions. Now, this variant is taking center stage in the form of the … Read more

Xue Haowen: The Inspiring Journey of China’s Newest Grandmaster

Xue Haowen beside a chess board

Follow Xue Haowen’s journey from a passionate chess student to Shenzhen’s first Grandmaster, guided by GM Zeng Chongsheng, with stories of perseverance, triumph, and unwavering dreams. In the final round of the historic 98th Hastings Open in the UK, Xue Haowen secured the championship with an impressive performance: 5 wins, 4 draws, and 7 points … Read more

Did Magnus Carlsen Solve Chess?

Magnus Carlsen with chess pieces in a brain network

First off, let’s clear the air: no, Magnus Carlsen didn’t solve chess. That would be like solving pizza. Sure, you can perfect a recipe, but there are infinite toppings and ways to burn your tongue. But the way Carlsen plays? It’s fair to ask if he’s secretly running on some kind of Silicon Valley AI … Read more

Controversy Surrounds Carlsen’s Decision to Share World Blitz Chess Championship

Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi shared world blitz chess championship title

Magnus Carlsen, the world’s number one chess player, stirred controversy during the 2024 World Blitz Chess Championship final when he and Ian Nepomniachtchi decided to share the title. The unusual resolution has sparked debates among chess enthusiasts and experts alike, with some accusing the players of “match-fixing.” The Agreement to Share the Title On New … Read more

Illegal Moves in Chess: When Your Brain Says “Go,” But the Rules Say “No”

A man move a king on a chess board

Chess is a game of infinite possibilities—well, almost. For all the creativity you can bring to the board, there are some hard-and-fast rules that simply cannot be broken. When you make an illegal move, it’s like trying to sprint through a wall. You don’t get anywhere, and it’s probably not going to end well for … Read more

Blindfold Chess: How to Play?

Magnus Carlsen playing blindfold chess

If regular chess is the ultimate mental workout, blindfold chess is running a marathon while juggling flaming torches. It’s a mind-bending feat where players play without looking at the board. Yes, you read that right—no physical board, no pieces. Just the vast chessboard of the mind. Blindfold chess sounds impossible to most people. Yet, for … Read more