International Chess Players in Texas
Discover how Texas blends global culture and competition, from Texas’ Eiffel Tower to chess tournaments across the state. More 🡢
Bobby Fischer’s Chess Queen: A Review
On January 14, 2026, New In Chess published Bobby Fischer’s Chess Queen: The untold story of the Indian woman who captured the American World Champion’s heart. Its author is Woman International Master Shernaz Kennedy. Her memoi.r is a quick and entertaining read More 🡢
2026 Pan-Am: Missouri Schools Show Chess Prowess
The 2026 Pan-Am was held January 2–5 in Oak Brook, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. Webster University, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, the University of Missouri, and Saint Louis University finished first, second, third, and fourth (respectively) in the Open section. More 🡢
George H. Mackenzie: One of the Old Masters
According to his biographer John S. Hilbert, George H. Mackenzie was universally loved during his lifetime but utterly forgotten after his death. “George H. Mackenzie: A Chess Biography” presents Mackenzie’s games and stories about his life and times. More 🡢
Global Chess League 2025: Great Start by Defending Champs Triveni Continental Kings
The Tech Mahindra Global Chess League is the world’s first and largest official franchise chess league. FIDE and Tech Mahindra are celebrating Season 3, which features 13 of the 15 top-rated players in the world. More 🡢
My Photos with Five World Chess Champions
In early October, at the newly-renovated Saint Louis Chess Club, two former World Chess Champions participated in the first Clutch Chess: The Legends. They played Chess960, a variant where the pieces on the back rank are scrambled, in the same way, for White and Black. For example, White’s queen might begin on a1, and Black’s queen might begin on a8. GM Garry Kasparov defeated GM Viswanathan Anand in a three-day showdown that captivated fans around the world. More 🡢
No Draw Offers in Chess and a Playoff Under Protest
At the 2025 U.S. Senior Women’s Championship, three people told me that I lack fighting spirit. And that I have a peaceful nature. They are right. I like to offer draws, and I like to accept draw offers. Therefore, the best tournaments for me to play in would be those that prohibit offering draws. Then I would be forced to fight in my chess games, and my chess skills would likely improve. More 🡢
Titas Stremavicius eliminated Wesley So from Chess World Cup
Grandmaster (GM) Titas Stremavicius (Lithuania) eliminated GM Wesley So (USA), one of the top 10 players in the world, from the FIDE World Cup 2025. In their first game, Stremavicius, an alumnus of The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD), had drawn as Black. As White on November 5, 2025, he had a time advantage in a complicated endgame. With less than a minute and a half left on his clock, So resigned. Stremavicius moved on to round 3 of the World Cup. More 🡢
Is it hard to learn chess?
Learning the rules of chess can be accomplished in one day. There are six different chessmen. Master how each moves and captures, and use them to checkmate your opponents, to succeed in your chess games.
Where can I learn chess?
The best way to learn is by playing! Right here on SparkChess you can play against different computer personas (start with Cody if you never played before). The game will highlight all valid moves for a piece, so it's easy to understand and learn the rules. Then you can move to learning strategies and openings with SparkChess Premium, which features an Opening Explorer with over 100 opening variations, 30 interactive lessons and even an AI coach.
What is the best way to start learning chess?
While learning chess online is efficient, since software corrects illegal moves, playing chess with others in person can be satisfying. You and a friend or family member could tackle chess together, perhaps reading the rules in a book. Playing on a three-dimensional chess set can be a fun break from our online lives. When in-person chess is not available, SparkChess has online multiplayer for playing with friends (and making new ones).
How can I teach myself to play chess?
While learning chess rules takes one day, becoming good at chess takes longer. One proverb states, “Chess is a sea in which a gnat may drink and an elephant may bathe.” With intense efforts, chess greatness can be achieved.