Author
Hardik Ranpariya
Chess Coach
The Philidor Position: Defending Rook Endgames
The essential drawing technique for the defending side in rook and pawn endgames — how to hold a draw against an extra pawn using precise rook placement.
Hardik Ranpariya · September 12, 2026
Building Confidence Before a Tournament
Practical, evidence-based ways to walk into a tournament feeling genuinely prepared and confident, rather than anxious about the unknown.
Hardik Ranpariya · September 12, 2026
The Role of Opening Study in Improvement
How much opening study actually matters for improving players, and how to strike the right balance between memorization and understanding.
Hardik Ranpariya · September 12, 2026
Castling Rules Explained Simply
A clear breakdown of chess's only two-piece special move — what castling actually does, the exact conditions required, and why it matters so much for king safety.
Hardik Ranpariya · September 11, 2026
The Lucena Position: A Must-Know Rook Endgame
The single most important winning technique in rook endgames — how 'building a bridge' turns an extra pawn into a guaranteed win.
Hardik Ranpariya · September 11, 2026
The Power of the Passed Pawn
Why a passed pawn is one of the most valuable structural assets in chess, and the strategic principles that govern how to create, support, and eventually promote one.
Hardik Ranpariya · September 11, 2026
Discovered Attacks: Unleashing Hidden Power
How discovered attacks work, why they're often more dangerous than an ordinary tactic, and the specific patterns that make them so difficult to see coming.
Hardik Ranpariya · September 10, 2026
The French Defense: A Solid Choice for Positional Players
How 1.e4 e6 leads to some of chess's richest strategic battles, and why the French Defense remains a favorite among players who prize structure over speed.
Hardik Ranpariya · September 10, 2026
Bullet Chess: The Fastest Format Explained
What defines bullet chess, why it demands a completely different skill set from slower time controls, and how to actually get better at it.
Hardik Ranpariya · September 10, 2026
Understanding Chess Piece Sizing and Board Proportions
How king height, base diameter, and square size relate to each other — the proportions that separate a comfortable, playable set from an awkward one.
Hardik Ranpariya · September 9, 2026