Learning Chess

Interested in learning chess? This suite of articles will help you understand the game, improve your skills and ultimately master it.

Dala Horses and Chess Championships

In 2004 and 2005, the President’s Cup, aka the Final Four of College Chess, was held in Lindsborg, Kansas. Instead of trophies, the teams received Dala horses. More than 20 years later, participant GM Alexander Onischuk is the highest-rated player (aged 50 years and older), according to US Chess. More 🡢

Should Chess International Master Rose Atwell Attend College?

In an interview with National Master Ben Johnson on the Perpetual Chess Podcast, IM Rose Atwell said, “The way I think about college is like, what’s in it for me?” More 🡢

2026 President’s Cup and Women’s President’s Cup: College Chess Championships

University of Missouri, known as Mizzou, hosted the 2026 President’s Cup, the national championship of college chess. Competitors were the top four qualifying schools from the 2026 Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship. Mizzou also hosted a new event, the Women’s President’s Cup, for the top four qualifying schools from the 2025 U.S. National Collegiate Women’s Championship. More 🡢

Tools of the Chess Trade

The tools of the trade for chess streamers are different than what’s used for playing over-the-board chess. Also specialized are the tools used to teach chess in person. More 🡢

Car Accidents and Chess

Driving to the second day of the Texas State Women’s Championship, I was in a car accident. I was fine; my car was damaged. I let the organizer know that I would be late. The director paused my clock, and my opponent patiently waited for me. I won that game, but lost my second game, which was the last round. In this article, I discuss the championship, car accidents, and chess. More 🡢

Cheesy Chess at the 2025 U.S. Open

The 2025 U.S. Open offered a variety of schedules and Mixed Doubles prizes. Last century, the U.S. Open was usually 12 rounds. This century, the event has generally been nine rounds. The 2025 U.S. Open was held in Wisconsin, a state famous for its cheese. More 🡢

Martz – Chess, Game 36, North American Open 1974

You see, positional chess requires you to have a somewhat long-term plan that involves understanding what pawn structure you want, figuring out the potential weaknesses are in your opponent’s position, and what the right destination squares for your pieces are. Then you have to come up with a concrete implementation of the plan, with a sequence of moves that helps you achieve your goals. More 🡢

A Paul Morphy book and the 2025 Chess Journalists of America Awards

The Real Paul Morphy: His Life and Chess Games by FIDE Master Charles Hertan relies on past Morphy scholarship, especially David Lawson’s Paul Morphy: The Pride and Sorrow of Chess. Hertan promises three innovations in his book. First, Hertan takes a fresh look at Paul Morphy’s games, thanks to Fritz 18. The Elo rating of […] More 🡢