Faustino Oro: The Messi of Chess

Faustino Oro fighting Lionel Messi

When Faustino Oro moved from Argentina to Spain, the parallels with Lionel Messi were hard to ignore. Just like the football legend, Oro made the leap to pursue his dreams on a bigger stage. But instead of football fields, his arena is the chessboard. At just 11 years old, Faustino isn’t merely following in Messi’s … Read more

Can the King Attack in Chess? Yes, and It’s Majestic

The King attacks

The king in chess is a paradox. On the one hand, it’s the most important piece on the board—checkmate it, and the game ends. On the other hand, it’s often seen as a fragile monarch, tucked away in a castle of pawns, hiding from the chaos of battle. But here’s the twist: the king isn’t … Read more

Gukesh Becomes World Chess Champion at 18, Defeats Ding Liren

gukesh vs ding in world chess championship 2024

Gukesh Dommaraju, an 18-year-old chess player from India, dethroned defending champion Ding Liren on December 12 to become the 2024 World Chess Champion. The match was decided in the final classical game, where Gukesh clinched victory with a score of 7.5-6.5, avoiding the need for a rapid tiebreak. This win makes Gukesh the youngest World … Read more

Beginner Chess Puzzles: Cracking the Code One Move at a Time

Beginner Chess Puzzles

What is a chess puzzle, and what are its types? This article aims to explain the concept and tricks behind chess puzzles for beginners. Chess puzzles are like the brain’s version of a morning workout. They stretch your thinking, sharpen your instincts, and boost your confidence, all while being surprisingly fun. For beginners, chess puzzles … Read more

Chess Points of Pieces: Why Your Queen is Basically a Ferrari

chess points of pieces queen ferrari

Ever wondered why losing your queen feels like losing your favorite snack at a chess party? It’s all about the points, my friend. Chess assigns every piece a value, and these points don’t just reflect how powerful a piece is. They influence strategies, trades, and endgames. Let’s break it down with the kind of flair … Read more

How to Avoid Stalemate in Chess: Turning Close Calls into Checkmate

how to avoid stalemate in chess

You’ve outplayed your opponent. Their king is limping across the board, their pieces are scattered, and victory feels inevitable. But then—bam! Stalemate. The game ends in a draw, not because you couldn’t win, but because you accidentally let your opponent slip through the back door of chess mishaps. Stalemate is one of the sneakiest problem … Read more

The 10 Most Popular Opening Moves in Chess, Ranked From ‘Why?’ to ‘Wow!’

10 best very first moves in chess

Chess openings are a lot like pizza toppings, as there are plenty to choose from, but only a few are universally loved. Let’s explore the best first moves in chess, ranked by popularity. “Why?” Tier Moves that scream, “I play chess for fun, not to win.” 10. 1.Nc3 (1%)The Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack’s more eccentric cousin. Sure, … Read more

How Chess.com Detect Cheating?

How Chess.com Detect Cheating

In this Reddit interview, members of Chess.com’s Fair Play Team answer dozens of questions about detecting cheaters, closing over 2,500 accounts daily for cheating. TLDR Chess.com’s Fair Play team is at the forefront of ensuring a fair and enjoyable experience for millions of players worldwide. With over 2,500 accounts closed daily for cheating—amounting to more … Read more