Use this free tool to estimate your USCF rating after a chess tournament and see if you earned a norm or official title!
As per Wikipedia, a changelog is “a log or record of all notable changes made to a project.” This post is to document the evolution of Chess Intellect from the very beginning. The list goes in reverse chronological order (i.e. the most recent changes are at the top). Some of the early dates are just […]
Chess Intellect’s mission is to provide the best resources and tools to help all chess players become chess masters. To this end, we make a significant portion of the provided services, tools, and resources free. However, it costs a substantial amount of money to operate a business and keep publishing top-quality content. We offset these […]
With all the hype chess is now getting, you might wonder if you should buy a premium Chess.com membership. I have had a Chess.com Diamond membership for 8 years and absolutely love it! My goal in this article is to give you a better understanding of the different plans and if you really need a […]
So you want to be a chess master – but how will you get there? Simple – just practice your tactics, endgames, strategy, and openings! Reading the 7 best chess books below will help you improve dramatically. I also included links to free resources just in case you’re on a tight budget. Affiliate Disclosure: Some […]
This entry is part 11 of 11 in the series TacticsThink of a rat trap. It has scrumptious cheese to lure an unsuspecting rat in. Once it’s inside, the gate snaps shut and the poor rodent is caught! Decoys work in much the same fashion. You lure a piece onto a particular square where you […]
This entry is part 10 of 11 in the series TacticsDeflections I am a big Merlin fan and the my favorite episodes involved Merlin outsmarting the Camelot guards. On several occasions Merlin needs to sneak past the guards to visit the Great Dragon or free Arthur from the dungeon. One time, at the entrance to […]
This entry is part 12 of 11 in the series Tactics“For me art and chess are closely related, both are forms in which the self finds beauty and expression.” – Former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik. The Intermezzo truly shows a chess player’s artistic side. Using it effectively in battle is the highest sign of chess […]
The desperado sacrifice is a neat escape hatch that can save seemingly hopeless positions. As the old adage goes, “If you’re doomed anyways, do as much damage as you can.”
This entry is part 8 of 11 in the series TacticsDouble Check Double checks are an epic tactic that can lead to instantaneous checkmate. A double check is a discovered attack except both pieces check the King. To get out of check, you can either take the checking piece, block the check, or move the […]
This entry is part 7 of 11 in the series TacticsA windmill is a very special type of discovered attack that you can use to win lots of material. Definition-wise: a windmill is a repetitive discovered attack on the King using the same piece, to force the King to shuffle back and forth helplessly. There […]
Discovered attacks and checks are powerful tactics that are unexpected and can win loads of material instantly! Read more here.
