Learn Chess

President’s Cup Chess: Texas versus Missouri and YOU could be a winner!

From April 4–6, 2025, The University of Texas at Dallas (UTD) will host chess teams from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV), Webster University, and Saint Louis University on its campus. The occasion is the 2025 President’s Cup, the national championship of college chess. With two teams from Texas and two from Missouri, college chess bragging rights will go to one of those states. Predict the winner and YOU could be a winner too! More 🡢

Open and Women’s (and Men’s) in chess

The Varsity Chess Match is in London on March 8. International Women’s Day is observed each year on March 8, making this a good day to discuss gendered terminology. More 🡢

Prague International Chess Festival: Opening Ceremony

While in Prague for the World Senior Team Chess Championship, as a member of the USA Women 50+ team, I visited the Prague International Chess Festival. A former President of the Czech Republic was one of the speakers. At a post-ceremony reception, I briefly interviewed Grandmasters Liem Le and Vincent Keymer. More 🡢

Chess or Health, Play or Forfeit

The World Senior Team Chess Championship brings together several hundred chess players in two age categories, 50+ and 65+. Along with babies younger than six months, people aged 65 and older are most at risk for hospitalization from complications from COVID-19. And large gatherings, held indoors, increase the likelihood of disease transmission. More 🡢

Sunrise in the Bronx: Chess and Life Lessons

I read MacEnulty’s memoir in one sitting. That’s in part because there are no chess diagrams and games to play through, making reading faster. But it is also because MacEnulty writes well about compelling subjects. More 🡢

Chess Under Pressure: New Year’s Resolutions

During a game, a chess player may daydream about what a good result will bring. Ironically, daydreaming takes them away from that good result. Here are two New Year’s Resolutions to deal with pressures felt during chess games. More 🡢

AlphaBetChess: Books for Chess Parents

Chess books make great holiday gifts. Vishnu Warrier’s AlphaBetChess series uses the letters A through Z to organize chess terms. For parents who want to share their love of chess with their children, the AlphaBetChess books are wonderful choices. More 🡢

Aleksandar Indjic wins 2024 European Individual Chess Championship

The 2024 European Individual Chess Championship was won by GM Aleksandar Indjic of Serbia. Indjic began the tournament ranked 33rd. En route to the title, he defeated the tournament’s top-ranked player, GM Vladimir Fedoseev, who plays for Slovenia. 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.