In the June 2026 issue of Oklahoma Chess Magazine, editor Tom Braunlich annotated a game between Miles Melvin and FM Ryan Amburgy. About White’s fourth move, b4, National Master Braunlich wrote, “The rare Evans Gambit. A manly move!” More 🡢
Almost 50 years earlier, National Master Guthrie McClain wrote that then Women’s World Champion Maia Chiburdanidze played like a man. More 🡢
When chess players come back year after year to a chess festival, that’s a sign that something special is happening there. The Caveman Chess Festival features three US Chess national championships: The U.S. Junior Open, the U.S. Senior Open, and the U.S. Blind Open Championship. More 🡢
Five of the first six chapters of INTERREGNUM: Inside the Grueling and Glamorous Battle to Become the Next King of Chess (Pegasus Books – April 21st, 2026) track players’ paths to, and results in, the 2024 Candidates Tournament in Toronto. Since author Jordan Himelfarb is a managing editor of the Toronto Star, one of North America’s largest newspapers, he is well positioned to report on that tournament. More 🡢
In May of 2026 WIM Alexy Root will be in Georgia and in Washington, for book signings, talks, and simultaneous chess exhibitions. She will also be competing for the title of Southeastern Regional Women’s Champion. More 🡢
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 🡢
WGM Jennifer Shahade is back to the US Chess fold – and she’s bringing pro poker skills with her. After resolving all matters with the federation, Shahade has been named its first-ever Official Ambassador. Her new book argues that thinking across both games can sharpen your edge. More 🡢
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 🡢
Grandmaster Jan Timman’s final masterpiece, *Timman’s Studies*, celebrates his legacy through brilliant endgame compositions and timeless chess insight. More 🡢
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.
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.
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).
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.