Mid-term elections are on November 3, 2026. In Texas, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick is running for re-election. He doesn’t want taxpayer dollars, allocated to school libraries, to be spent on certain books. This article is about a chess-themed book that Patrick does not want in school libraries. More 🡢
Fred Das and Jeroen Terlingen, authors of The Sponsor: Murder at the North Sea Chess Tournament, teamed up again for The Sponsor Part II: The Marostica Chess Festival Under Attack. The first Sponsor book was published in 2024 and the second was published in 2026. I hope for a third Sponsor book in 2028. More 🡢
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 🡢
Some deceased titled players, such as world champions, were chess celebrities and their games are still replayed today. Other titled players’ games may be overlooked, even if they were famous during their lifetimes. One example of a player who is less well-known today is WIM Lisa Lane, even though she was the first chess player on the cover of Sports Illustrated. More 🡢
At the 45th Chess Olympiad, held in Hungary in 2024, 975 players participated in the open event and 909 in the women’s event. Not every woman played in the women’s event. The 46th Chess Olympiad will be in Uzbekistan, from September 15–27, 2026. How many women will play in its open event? More 🡢
Alex Relyea died on August 16, 2025, almost one year ago. He served for multiple years as chief tournament director for the U.S. Blind Open Championship. His wife Nita Patel arranged for donations to US Chess in his memory to support that annual championship. More 🡢
Mezrich invented a world championship match and gave a well-known arbiter a new last name. His book is not an accurate portrayal of the chess world. But it is a rollicking read which is slated to become a Hollywood motion picture. More 🡢
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 🡢
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.