Category
Beginner Guides
The Four Phases of a Chess Game
Every chess game, no matter how it starts or ends, moves through the same four broad phases — and knowing which one you're in tells you what to prioritize, from piece development all the way through to promoting a pawn.
Hardik Ranpariya · October 11, 2026
How to Read and Write Chess Notation
A clear introduction to algebraic notation — how every square gets a name, how moves are recorded, and why learning to read notation opens up the entire world of chess literature.
Hardik Ranpariya · October 7, 2026
Common Beginner Mistakes and How to Fix Them
The specific, recurring mistakes that hold back new chess players most — and practical, concrete habits for correcting each one.
Hardik Ranpariya · October 2, 2026
Basic Chess Opening Principles for Beginners
The handful of core ideas that guide sound opening play at every level — control the center, develop pieces efficiently, and get the king to safety before anything else.
Hardik Ranpariya · September 28, 2026
The Value of Each Chess Piece
A clear breakdown of standard chess piece values — what they mean, where they come from, and why they're a useful guide rather than an exact, unbreakable rule.
Hardik Ranpariya · September 24, 2026
Pawn Promotion: Turning a Pawn into a Queen
A clear explanation of how pawn promotion works — the rules, the choices available, and why it's one of the most game-changing moments a chess game can produce.
Hardik Ranpariya · September 20, 2026
En Passant: Chess's Most Confusing Rule
The special pawn capture that trips up new players more than any other rule — what en passant actually is, when it applies, and why it exists in the first place.
Hardik Ranpariya · September 16, 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
Understanding Check, Checkmate, and Stalemate
The three outcomes every new player needs to tell apart clearly — what makes a king in check, what turns that into checkmate, and why stalemate is a draw rather than a loss.
Hardik Ranpariya · September 7, 2026
How Each Chess Piece Moves: A Complete Guide
A clear, complete reference for how every chess piece moves and captures — the essential foundation before anything else in chess makes sense.
Hardik Ranpariya · September 3, 2026