There’s a place for FIDE chess trainers

Much credit is given to professional chess players in this wonderful field of chess. We know of Grandmasters (historically and presently) like Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov, and Magnus Carlsen. However, as there are FIDE Grandmasters, what if I told you that there are FIDE certified chess trainers? Being a FIDE trainer is much more than the chess coach who takes on students and charges an hourly fee. FIDE Trainers are specially certified, and we will discuss those details today!

The FIDE Chess Trainer — what is it?

There are several types of FIDE … Read more

As all chess players know by now, chess is an easy game to learn, but difficult to master. If there was an article “how to master chess quickly”, then it would take hours to read and for almost everyone, except maybe young talented juniors, mastering the game quickly is impossible, but can you get to learning chess quickly?

To the naked eye who has never properly learned chess, chess might seem very daunting to learn. You see the pieces, the squares, you also have to know how to see multiple moves in advance, it seems difficult. However, as most people … Read more

Is chess a sport? The hotly debated topic

People have opinions and are entitled to their own opinions, about whether chess should be categorized as a sport or not. Casual chess fans, or certainly people who don’t play chess, would not think of chess in the same realm of football, baseball, boxing, etc, and is “just a game”.

Although, chess enthusiasts and professionals can argue that their game requires lots of physical endurance, and are also like sports in that strategy is key, and every once in awhile, you get lucky!

The point of this article will not be to … Read more

Chess on the iPhone?

Yes, almost everyone is hooked onto their iPhones on a daily basis. It is a revolutionary invention that changed our lives forever. A big reason that we love our iPhones is because of the apps. There are all kinds of apps, whether it be games, fitness, the news, etc.

Naturally, we have our beloved chess apps. Chess is so amazing that such an ancient game invented thousands of years ago accommodates so well with the technology to this day. It’s simply amazing how much progress chess has made.

So here are the top chess apps on … Read more

Queen’s Gambit

Have you ever heard or read about Queen’s Gambit? You think it is an interesting opening but you do not understand it very well and you are not sure how or where to start? Well, if that is your situation, then you are on the right site because in this post we are going to learn and understand from the very beginning how to play this strong variation.

1.d4 d5 2.c4

The idea with the second move c4 is to attack Black’s central pawn, and trade it for a Bishop pawn, which should be very convenient for … Read more

Nimzo-Indian Defense

Are you having some trouble when facing Queen’s Pawn? Would you like to learn and play some interesting and annoying variation against it? In this post, we are going to analyze a very strong system: Nimzo-Indian Defense (named after the great Aaron Nimzowitsch).

This is one of the best lines Black can play against Queen’s Pawn, the second player is getting a balanced game in almost the lines, and it is really hard for White to get anything from the opening in these variations. It is strongly recommended for all levels, from beginners to masters, and it … Read more

Caro-Kann Defense

Hi everyone. In this post, we are going to analyze and learn how to play the famous and strong Caro-Kann Defense. According to my database, this variation is the fourth most common move Black can reply against King’s Pawn (only Double King’s Pawn, Sicilian and French are more frequently played).

1.e4 c6

It is important to understand the first move Black plays 1. … c6. Ok, they want to fight for the center and play d5, that is clear, but you might be wondering why with c6? That move is not developing (unlike 1. … e6, which clears … Read more

Fried Liver Attack

If you are an aggressive player, who likes tactics, sacrifices, and sharp positions you are on the right site. In this post we are going to analyze a very interesting and tricky line for White pieces: the famous Fried Liver Attack (FLA), also called Fegatello Attack. Actually, this variation is so good for White, that even if you are a solid and strategical player, and your opponent gives you the possibility to get into this line, you should accept, because in the worst case the first player is getting a very big compensation (in some … Read more

French Defense

French Defense is a solid, strong, and interesting defense against King’s Pawn. According to my databases, it is the third most popular line when White plays 1.e4 (only behind famous Sicilian and Double King’s Pawn).

In move 1, Black just plays e6, clearing the line to develop the dark squares, Bishop. Apparently they do not care too much about the center and space. However, in the second move, Black is going to play d5 no matter what White plays, making sure they also have a pawn in the center.

Some theory and ideas

1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5… Read more

English Opening

Would you like to know and play a different, but still very strong opening as White? Do you prefer to play positions less known and also less theoretical than the ones played in King’s Pawn? If you do, then you are on the right site, because in this post we are going to learn and understand how to play English Opening.

We have English on the board when White plays 1.c4. This move is not directly developing any piece, but it is controlling the center, and if Black plays at some point d5, then White will be … Read more