Glossary of chess

This glossary of chess explains commonly used terms in chess, in alphabetical order. Some of these terms
have their own pages, like fork and pin. For a list of unorthodox chess pieces, see Fairy chess piece; for a
list of terms specific to chess problems, see Glossary of chess problems; for a list of named opening lines,
see List of chess openings; for a list of chess-related games, see List of chess variants.

A
absolute pin
A pin against the king is called absolute since the pinned piece cannot legally move out of
the line of attack (as moving it would expose the king to check).[1] Cf. relative pin.
active
Describes a piece that threatens a number of squares, or that has a number of squares
available for its next move. It may also describe an aggressive style of play.[2] Antonym:
passive.
adjournment
Suspension of a chess game with the intention to finish
it later. It was once very common in high-level
competition, often occurring soon after the first time
control, but has been mostly abandoned due to the
advent of computer analysis.[3] See also sealed move.
adjudication
A way to decide the result of an unfinished game. A
tournament director, or an impartial and strong player,
will evaluate the final position and assign a win, draw,
or loss assuming best play by both players.[4] Envelope used for the adjournment
of a match game Efim Geller vs.
adjust Bent Larsen, Copenhagen 1966
See Touch-move rule. To adjust the position of a piece
on its square without being required to move it. A player
may do this only on their turn, and must first say "I
adjust", or the French equivalent J'adoube.[5]
advanced pawn
A pawn that is on the opponent's half of the board (the fifth rank or higher). An advanced
pawn may be weak if it is overextended, lacking support and difficult to defend, or strong if
it cramps the enemy by limiting mobility. An advanced passed pawn that threatens to
promote can be especially strong.[6]
advantage
A better position with the chance of winning the game. Evaluation factors can include
space, time, material, and threats.[2]
Alekhine's gun
A special form of battery in which a queen backs up two rooks on the same file.[7]
algebraic notation
The standard way to record the moves of a chess game, using alphanumeric coordinates
for the squares.[8]
amateur
 Any player whose main occupation is not chess.[9] The Alekhine vs. Nimzowitsch,
distinction between professional and amateur is not
1930
very important in chess as amateurs may win prizes,
accept appearance fees, and earn any title, including a b c d e f g h
World Champion.[9][10] In the 19th century, "Amateur" 8 8
was sometimes used in published game scores to 7 7
conceal the name of the losing player in a Master vs. 6 6
Amateur contest. It was thought to be impolite to use a
5 5
player's name without permission, and the professional
4 4
did not want to risk losing a customer.[10] See also NN.
3 3
analysis
The study of a game or a position, in order to evaluate 2 2
the quality of the moves and various other aspects of 1 1
the game or position. At the end of a game, the players a b c d e f g h
will often do an analysis of the game. Cf. post- Alekhine's gun
mortem.[2]
annotation
Written commentary on a game or a position using
words, chess symbols or notation.[2]
announced mate
A practice, common in the 19th century, whereby a
player would announce a sequence of moves,
believed by them to constitute best play by both
sides, that led to a forced checkmate for the
announcing player in a specified number of moves
(for example, "mate in five").[11]
antipositional
A move or a plan that is not in accordance with the
principles of positional play.[12] Antipositional is
used to describe moves that are part of an incorrect
plan rather than a mistake made when trying to Algebraic notation
follow a correct plan. Antipositional moves are
often pawn moves; since pawns cannot move
backwards to return to squares they have left, their advance can create irreparable
weaknesses.[13]
Anti-Sicilian
An opening variation that White uses against the Sicilian Defense (1.e4 c5) other than the
most common plan of 2.Nf3 followed by 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 (the Open Sicilian). Some Anti-
Sicilians include the Alapin Variation (2.c3), Moscow Variation (2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+),
Rossolimo Variation (2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5), Grand Prix Attack (2.Nc3 Nc6 3.f4 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7
and now 5.Bc4 or 5.Bb5), Closed Sicilian (2.Nc3 followed by g3 and Bg2), Smith–Morra
Gambit (2.d4 cxd4 3.c3), and Wing Gambit (2.b4).[14]
Arabian mate
A checkmate that occurs when the knight and rook trap the opposing king in a corner.[15]
arbiter
See International Arbiter.
Armageddon game
A game that is guaranteed to produce a decisive result, because if there is a draw it is
ruled a victory for Black. In compensation for this White is given more time on the clock.
Often White is given five minutes, and Black four. This format is typically used in playoff
tiebreakers when shorter blitz games have not resolved the tie.[16]
artificial castling
Refers to a maneuver of several separate moves by the a b c d e f g h
king and by a rook where they end up as if they had 8 8
castled. Also known as castling by hand.[17] 7 7

attack 6 6
An aggressive action on a part of the chessboard, or to 5 5
threaten the capture of a piece or pawn.[18] See also 4 4
counterattack, discovered attack, double attack, mating 3 3
attack, and minority attack. Antonym: defense.
2 2
attraction 1 1
A type of decoy involving a sacrifice of a minor or major
a b c d e f g h
piece on a square next to the enemy king, forcing the
king to abandon the defense of another square. For Arabian mate
example (see diagram), the black queen has
interposed to block a check from the white queen, and
White can check the king from the opposite direction to Example of attraction
win the queen.[19] a b c d e f g h
automaton 8 8
An automaton is a self-operating machine. In chess, it 7 7
refers to chess-playing machines that were in fact 6 6
hoaxes and under the control of hidden human players.
5 5
Automatons stirred up great interest in the 18th and
19th centuries and inspired early thoughts of the 4 4
possibility of artificial intelligence. By far, the most 3 3
famous chess-playing "automaton" was The Turk, 2 2
whose secret of human control was kept for a very long
1 1
time. The first true automaton El Ajedrecista was
a b c d e f g h
created by Leonardo Torres y Quevedo.
White wins with 1.Rd7+! The black
king is attracted away from the
B defense of the black queen with a
skewer.
B
Symbol used for the bishop when recording chess
moves in English.[20]
back rank
A player's first rank (the one on which the pieces stand in the starting position); White's
back rank is Black's eighth rank, and vice versa.[21] Also called first rank or home rank.
back-rank mate
A checkmate delivered by a rook or queen along a back rank from which the mated king is
unable to move because it is blocked by friendly pieces (usually pawns) or squares under
attack on the second rank.[21] Also called back-row mate.
back-rank weakness
A situation in which a player is under threat of a back-rank mate and, having no
time/option to create an escape for the king, must constantly watch and defend against that
threat, for example by keeping a rook on the back rank.[21]
backward pawn
A pawn that is behind a pawn of the same color on an adjacent file and that cannot be
advanced with the support of another pawn.[22]
bad bishop
A bishop that is hemmed in by the player's own pawns.[23] See also good bishop.
bare king
A position in which a king is the only man of its color on
the board.[24]
Basque chess
A chess competition in which the players
simultaneously play each other two games on two
boards, each playing White on one and Black on the
other. There is a clock at both boards. It removes the
bonus in mini-matches of playing White first. Basque
chess was first played in the 2012 Donostia Chess
Festival in the Basque Country, Spain.[25] Also called
Basque System.
battery
To double rooks on a file, or to place a bishop and a
queen on a diagonal.[18] In chess problems, battery
refers to an arrangement of two pieces in line with the
enemy king on a rank, file, or diagonal so that if the
middle piece moves a discovered check (or a threat
other than a check) will be delivered.[26]
BCF
British Chess Federation, the former name of the
English Chess Federation.[27] See ECF.
BCM
An abbreviation for the British Chess Magazine.[28]
BCO
An abbreviation for the 1982 openings reference book
Batsford Chess Openings, by Raymond Keene and
Garry Kasparov. The second edition (1989) is often
called BCO-2.[29] Cf. ECO and MCO.
best play
The theoretical absolute and ideal best moves from
any given position.[30]
big pawn
A bad bishop stuck behind its own pawns and
defending them—effectively doing the work of a
pawn.[31]
bind
A strong grip or stranglehold on a position that is
difficult for the opponent to break. A bind is usually an
advantage in space created by advanced pawns. The
Maróczy Bind is a well-known example.[32] See also
squeeze.
bishop
bishop pair
The player with two bishops is said to have the bishop
pair. Two bishops are able to control the diagonals of
both colors. In open positions, two bishops are
considered to have an advantage over two knights, or a
knight and a bishop.[18] Also called the two bishops.
a b c d e f g h
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
White has a bad bishop, Black has
a good bishop (Evans & 1967:66).
a b c d e f g h
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
A pair of white rooks are aligned
along their battery, ready to do
some action.
Charousek vs. Maroczy, 1895
a b c d e f g h
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
Example of a "big pawn": the white
bishop is doing the work of a pawn
and has no bigger prospects.
bishop pawn
Or bishop's pawn. A pawn on the bishop's file, i.e. the c-file or f-file. Sometimes
abbreviated "BP".[33]
bishops on opposite colors
Or bishops of opposite colors. A situation in which one player has only a light-square
bishop remaining while the other has only a dark-square bishop remaining. In endgames,
this often results in a draw if there are no other pieces than pawns, even if one side has a
material advantage of one, two or even three pawns, since the bishops control different
squares (see Opposite-colored bishops endgame). In the middlegame, however, the
presence of opposite-colored bishops imbalances the game and can lead to mating
attacks, since each bishop attacks squares that cannot be covered by the other.[34]
black
The dark-colored squares on the chessboard are often referred to as "the black squares"
even though they are often some other dark color. Similarly, "the black pieces" are
sometimes actually some other (usually dark) color.[35] See also white.
Black
The designation for the player who moves second, even though the pieces ("the black
pieces") are sometimes actually some other (usually dark) color.[36] See also White and
first-move advantage.
blind chess
See Kriegspiel.
blindfold chess
A form of chess in which one or both players are not allowed to see the board.[37]
blind pigs
A pair of rooks on the opponent's second rank are referred to as "pigs" as they tend to
devour pawns and pieces, and "blind pigs" if they cannot find the mate.[38]
blitz chess
[from German: Blitz, "lightning"] A fast form of chess with a very short time limit, usually
three or five minutes per player for the entire game. With the advent of electronic chess
clocks, the time remaining is often incremented by one or two seconds per move.[39]
blitzkrieg
A blitzkrieg is sometimes used to describe a quick attack on the f7- or f2-square early in
the game.[40][41]
blockade a b c d e f g h
The placement of a piece directly in front of an enemy 8 8
pawn, where it obstructs the pawn's advance, and
7 7
hinders the movements of the other enemy pieces. The
enemy pawn provides some shelter to the piece that is 6 6
blocking it, thereby protecting it from attacks by enemy 5 5
pieces. A blockade is most effective against passed or 4 4
isolated pawns. The ideal piece to use as a blockader
3 3
is the knight. This strategy was famously formulated by
Aron Nimzowitsch in 1924.[42][43] 2 2
1 1
blocked position
a b c d e f g h
A position where both sides are constrained from
making progress, typically by interlocking pawn Black has a solid light-square
chain(s) dividing the available space into two blockade. White's bishop cannot
camps.[44] See also closed game. challenge Black's minor pieces.

blunder
 A very bad move, an oversight (indicated by "??" in notation).[18]
board
1. See chessboard.
2. An assignment in team chess, e.g. first board, second board, etc.
board one
See first board.
Boden's Mate Schulder vs. Boden, London
Boden's Mate, named for Samuel Boden, is a 1853
checkmate pattern in which the king, usually having
a b c d e f g h
castled queenside, is checkmated by two crisscrossing
bishops. Immediately prior to delivering the mate, the 8 8
winning side typically plays a queen sacrifice on c3 or 7 7
c6 to set up the mating position.[45] 6 6

book draw 5 5
An endgame position known to be a draw with perfect 4 4
play. Historically this was established by reference to 3 3
chess endgame literature, but in simplified positions
2 2
computer analysis in an endgame tablebase can be
used.[46] 1 1
a b c d e f g h
book move
An opening move found in standard reference books Boden's Mate
on opening theory. A game is said to be "in book"
when both players are playing moves found in the
opening references. A game is said to be "out of book" when the players have reached the
end of the variations analyzed in the opening books, or if one of the players deviates with
a novelty (or a blunder).[47]
book win
An endgame position known to be a win with perfect play. Historically this was established
by reference to chess endgame literature, but in simplified positions (currently seven
pieces or fewer) computer analysis in an endgame tablebase can be used.[48]
Botez gambit
A humorous reference to accidentally losing your queen. Despite called a gambit, it is not
intentional and has no prospect of compensation.[49][50] Named after the Botez sisters who
are prominent chess streamers.
break
A move that gains space and therefore freedom of movement, or the opening of a blocked
position by the advance or capture of a pawn.[51]
breakthrough
Penetration of the opponent's position, or destruction of the defense, often by means of a
sacrifice.[18]
brevity
[chiefly British] See miniature.
brilliancy
A game that contains a spectacular, deep and beautiful strategic idea, combination, or
original plan.[51]
brilliancy prize
A prize awarded at some tournaments for the best brilliancy played in the tournament.[52]
Bronstein delay
 A time control method with time delay, invented by David Bronstein. When it becomes a
player's turn to move, the clock waits for the delay period before starting to subtract from
the player's remaining time.[53]
bughouse chess
A popular chess variant played
with teams of two or more.[54]
building a bridge
Making a path for a king in the
endgame by providing protective
cover against checks from line
pieces. A well-known example is
the Lucena position.[55]
bullet chess
Each side has one minute to
make all their moves.[56]
bust Bughouse chess
A refutation of an opening, an
opening line, a tactic, or a
previously published analysis.[57][58]
bye
A tournament round in which a player does not have a game, usually because there are
an odd number of players. A bye is normally scored as a win (1 point), although in some
tournaments a player is permitted to choose to take a bye (usually in the first or last round)
and score it as a draw (½ point).[58]

C
Caïssa
Known as the goddess or muse of chess, whose name is
taken from a nymph in a 1763 poem, Caïssa or The Game
at Chess, by Sir William Jones.[59]
calculate
To plan mentally a series of moves and consider possible
responses, without actually moving the pieces.[18]
Candidate Master
A chess title ranking below FIDE Master.[60] Abbr. CM.
candidate move
A move that seems good upon initial observation of the
position, and that warrants further analysis.[61]
Candidates Match
A knockout match in the Candidates Tournament.[62]
Candidates Tournament Caïssa, the patron goddess of
A tournament organised by the FIDE, the third and last chess (Fratta, 18th century)
qualifying cycle of the World Chess Championship. The
participants are the top players of the Interzonal tournament
plus possibly other players selected on the basis of rating or performance in the previous
candidates tournament. The top ranking player(s) qualify(ies) for the world
championship.[63]
can-opener
 The plan of attacking a kingside, sometimes a fianchetto position, by advancing the h-
pawn with the intention of opening a file near the defender's king.[64]
capped piece
A particular piece with which one player attempts to deliver checkmate. The requirement
to checkmate with the capped piece constitutes a handicap. When the capped piece is a
pawn, it is called a pion coiffé [from French, "capped pawn"].[65]
capture
A move by a pawn or piece that removes from the board the opponent's pawn or piece.
The capturing piece then occupies the square of the captured piece (except in the case of
a capture that is done en passant).[66]
castling
A move in which the king and a rook are moved at the same time. It moves the king from
the center to a flank where it usually is safer, and it develops the rook. It is the only time
two pieces are moved in a turn. Castling can be done on either the kingside (notated 0-0)
or the queenside (0-0-0). Castling cannot be done in reply to a check, nor if the king were
to cross or land on a square which is under attack by the opponent, nor if either the king or
the rook involved has already moved.[67][68]
castling into it
A situation where one side castles and a result is that the king is in more danger at the
destination than on the initial square, either immediately or because lines and diagonals
can be more readily opened against it.[69]
castling long
Castling queenside; in chess notation: 0-0-0.[67]
castling short
Castling kingside; in chess notation: 0-0.[67]
casual game
See friendly game.
category of a tournament
The category of a tournament is a measure of its strength based on the average FIDE
rating of the participants. The category is calculated by rounding up the number: (average
rating − 2250) ÷ 25. So each category covers a 25-point rating range, starting with
Category 1 which spans ratings between 2251 and 2275. A Category 18 tournament has
an average rating between 2676 and 2700.[70]
CC
An abbreviation sometimes used for correspondence chess.
center a b c d e f g h
Or centre. The four squares in the middle of the
8 8
board.[71] See also expanded center. Sometimes short
7 7
for pawn center. A king "in the center" can refer to an
uncastled king on a center file. 6 6

center file 5 5
Or centre file. The king's file (e-file) or queen's file (d- 4 4
file). 3 3
center pawn 2 2
Or centre pawn. A pawn on the king's file (e-file) or 1 1
queen's file (d-file).[72] a b c d e f g h
central file The center squares are marked "×".
See center file.
centralization
 Moving a piece or pieces toward the center of the board, where they will not only control
the center, but their influence will extend to other areas. Pieces are best placed near the
center of the board, because they increase their power and maneuverability. Knights in
particular benefit from being centralized.[73] Antonym: decentralization.[74]
central pawn
See center pawn.
cheapo
Slang for a primitive trap, often set in the hope of swindling a win or a draw from a lost
position.[75] Also called cheap shot.
check
A direct attack on the king by an enemy man. The attacked king is said to be in check.
There are only three possible immediate responses to a check: capturing the attacking
piece, moving the king to an unattacked square, or interposing a piece between the
attacker and the king. In casual games a player usually announces "check", however this
is not a requirement in tournament games.[76]
checkmate
A position in which a player's king is in check and the player has no legal move (i.e.
cannot move out of or escape the check). A player whose king is checkmated loses the
game.[77] Often shortened to mate.
chess blindness
The failure of a player to see a good move or danger that should normally be considered
obvious. The term was coined by Siegbert Tarrasch. Similar to Kotov syndrome.[78]
chessboard
The chequered board used in chess, consisting of 64 squares (eight rows by eight
columns) arranged in two alternating colors, light and dark.[79]
chess clock
A device made up of two adjacent clocks and buttons,
keeping track of the total time each player takes for their
moves. Immediately after moving, the player hits their
button, which simultaneously stops their clock and
starts their opponent's. The picture shown displays an
analogue clock where the term flag fall originates.
Modern clocks are digital.[80]
A chess clock
chessmen
The movable figures placed on the board in a game of
chess. Includes both pieces and pawns.[81] Singular:
chessman.
chess notation
See notation.
chess opening
See opening.
chess problem
Also called composition.
chess set
The thirty-two pieces required for a game, plus a chessboard.
chess variant
A chess-like game played using a board, pieces, or rules different from standard chess.[82]
Chess960
 Chess960 (also known as Fischer Random Chess) is a
variation of the game invented and advocated by
Bobby Fischer. The pieces and pawns have their
normal moves, but the setup of pieces on the first rank
is random, except that two rules must be followed: the
king must be placed on a square between the rooks,
and the bishops are placed on squares of opposite
color. Black's pieces are placed opposite White's. The
random setup can be established by dice toss,
A wooden chess set and board
computer program, playing cards, or other methods.
Castling may be done; the special Chess960 rules
governing castling incorporate the normal castling in
classic chess.[84][85]
chop wood
Slang for capturing or exchanging pieces.[86] See also wood.
classical
1. An opening system geared towards forming a full pawn center. Classical ideas were
challenged by hypermodern ideas.[71]
2. A game using a longer time control such as 40/2; the opposite of fast chess categories
such as rapid, blitz or bullet.[87]
classical bishop sacrifice
See Greek gift sacrifice.
clearance
Removal of piece from a square, rank, file or diagonal so that another piece may use it. It
often involves sacrificing the piece that unblocked the position.[88] See Clearance
sacrifice.
clock move
In a game played clock move, a move is considered completed only after the clock is
pressed. For example, one could touch a piece, then move a different piece—as long as
the player has not pressed their clock button. This way of playing is uncommon but can be
seen in casual games or blitz games.[89]
clock time
Time (consumed or remaining) on the chess clock, in a tournament game.[90]
closed file
A file on which White and Black each have a pawn.[91]
closed game
A closed game has few open lines (files or diagonals). It is generally characterized by
interlocking pawn chains, cramped positions with few opportunities to exchange, and
extensive maneuvering behind lines. Such a game may evolve and later become an open
game.[92] See also positional play.
Closed Game
A Closed Game is a particular opening that begins with the moves 1.d4 d5. It is also
known as a Double Queen's Pawn Opening or Double Queen's Pawn Game.[93] See also
Open Game and Semi-Open Game.
closed tournament
A tournament in which only invited or qualifying players may participate, as opposed to an
open tournament. Also called invitational tournament.
CM
An abbreviation for the Candidate Master title.
coffeehouse
 Adjective used to describe a move, player, or style of
play characterized by risky, positionally dubious play a b c d e f g h
that sets traps for the opponent. The name comes from 8 8
the notion that one would expect to see such play in 7 7
skittles games played in a coffeehouse or similar 6 6
setting, particularly in games played for stakes or blitz
5 5
chess. The Blackburne Shilling Gambit is a typical
4 4
example of coffeehouse play.[94]
3 3
color
Or colour. The white or black pieces, and the white or 2 2
black squares. The actual pieces and squares may be 1 1
other colors, usually light and dark, but they are a b c d e f g h
referred to as white and black.[81] See White and Black The Blackburne Shilling Gambit
in chess. (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4?!),
colorbound an example of coffeehouse play
Or colourbound. The property of a piece to access
only squares of one color. In standard chess, each
bishop is colorbound to either the white or black squares.
combination
A sequence of moves, including forced moves, and often involving a sacrifice, to gain an
advantage.[71]
compensation
That which is gained in return for a loss – often a positional improvement in return for loss
of material. If material is sacrificed there may be a gain in development, or if a minor piece
is exchanged for two or three pawns, the pawns would be the compensation.[95]
computer move
A term for a move that seems likely to have been played by a computer rather than a
human, because the move seems counterintuitive, or seems not to make immediate
sense, or seems to eventually make sense, but not until far into the future of the game.
Computer moves seem to be what they are: moves based on the brute force of millions of
calculations, and not based on intuition, aesthetics, or emotion. A computer move would
overlook a dramatic capture that might cause an opponent to resign on the spot in favor of
an obscure move that may eventually turn out to be only slightly better. At one time the
term was used disparagingly, but the definition has evolved as computers have improved.
It is a term that is occasionally used to suggest that a player has been assisted by a
computer.[96][97]
connected passed pawns
Passed pawns on adjacent files. These are considered to be unusually powerful (often
worth a minor piece or rook if on the sixth rank or above and not properly blockaded)
because they can advance together.[71] See also connected pawns.
connected pawns
Refers to two or more pawns of the same color on adjacent files.[73] Cf. isolated pawns.
connected rooks
Two rooks of the same color on the same rank or file with no pawns or pieces between
them. Connected rooks are usually desirable. Players often connect rooks on their own
first rank or along an open file.[98] See also doubled rooks.
consolidation
The improvement of a player's position by the reposition of one or more pieces to better
square(s), typically after a player's attack or combination has left their pieces in poor
positions or uncoordinated.[99]
continuation
 See variation.
control
When a player's pawn, piece or pieces guard a square, or squares, or a file, or a rank in
such a way that the territory can be advantageously used; and the opponent is prevented
from using the territory.[100]
control of the center
Having one or more pieces that attack any of the four center squares; an important
strategy, and one of the main aims of openings.[101]
cook
In chess problems, an unintended duplicate solution, or a refutation.[102] See also
Glossary of chess problems#cook.
corr.
An abbreviation for correspondence game.
correspondence chess
Chess played at a long time control by long-distance correspondence. Traditionally
correspondence chess was played though the post; today it is usually played over a
correspondence chess server or by email. Typically, one move is transmitted in every
correspondence.[103]
corresponding squares
Corresponding squares are pairs of squares such that when a king moves to one square, it
forces the opponent's king to occupy the other square in order to hold the position. If the
opponent's king cannot move to the required square it is zugzwang and a disadvantage.
Corresponding squares usually occur in pawn endgames. The theory of corresponding
squares has developed to include complex calculations based on math-like formulas.[104]
Also called related squares. Cf. opposition.
counterattack
An attack that responds to an attack by the opponent.[105]
countergambit a b c d e f g h
A gambit offered by Black, for example the Greco
8 8
Counter Gambit, usually called the Latvian Gambit
today (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 f5?!); the Albin Countergambit 7 7
(1.d4 d5 2.c4 e5); and the Falkbeer Countergambit 6 6
(1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5). An opening need not have 5 5
"countergambit" in its name to be one, for instance the 4 4
Benko Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 b5); the Englund
3 3
Gambit (1.d4 e5?!); the Budapest Gambit (1.d4 Nf6
2.c4 e5); the Blackburne Shilling Gambit (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 2 2
Nc6 3.Bc4 Nd4?!); and many lines of the Two Knights 1 1
Defense (e.g. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Nf6 4.Ng5 and a b c d e f g h
now 4...Bc5!? [the Wilkes–Barre Variation or Traxler The Falkbeer Countergambit (1.e4
Counterattack]; 4...Nxe4?!; 4...d5 5.exd5 Na5 6.Bb5+ e5 2.f4 d5), a gambit response to
c6 [the main line]; 4...d5 5.exd5 Nd4 [the Fritz the King's Gambit
Variation]; and 4...d5 5.exd5 b5 [the Ulvestad
Variation]) are all examples of countergambits.[106]
counterplay
The defending side's own aggressive action.[107]
country move
A disparaging term for a move considered unsophisticated, especially an unnecessary
single-step advance of the rook's pawn in the opening. The term was popular in London in
the late 19th century.[108]
cover
To protect a piece or control a square.
cramped
Having limited mobility in a position.[109]
critical position
The moment in a game or opening when the evaluation shows that things are about to
change, either towards an advantage for one player, or towards equality; a wrong move
can be disastrous.[107]
critical square
See key square.
cross-check
A cross-check is a check played in reply to a check, especially when the original check is
blocked by a piece that itself either delivers check or reveals a discovered check from
another piece.[110]
crosstable
An arrangement of the results of every game in a tournament in tabular form. The names of
the players run down the left side of the table in numbered rows. The names may be listed
in order of results, alphabetically, or in pairing order, but results order is most common.
There may be one column for each successive round, or, in a round-robin tournament,
there may be one column for each player, with the players in the same order in the
columns as in the rows. For each player, the table cells on the player's row record the
results of the player's games, using 1 for a win, 0 for a loss, and ½ for a draw. (In a double
round-robin tournament each cell contains two entries, as each pair of players plays two
games alternating White and Black.)[111] For examples see Hastings 1895 chess
tournament, Nottingham 1936 chess tournament, and AVRO tournament.
crush
Slang for a quick win, especially an overwhelming attack versus poor defensive play. A
crushing move is a decisive one.

D
dark-square bishop
One of the two bishops that moves only on the dark squares. In the initial position, White's
dark-square bishop is on c1; Black's is on f8.[36] Often shortened to dark bishop[74] or
DSB. Cf. light-square bishop.
dark squares
The 32 dark-colored squares on the chessboard, such as a1 and h8. A dark square is
always located at a player's left-hand corner.[36] Cf. light squares.
dead draw
A drawn position in which neither player has any realistic chance to win. A dead draw may
refer to a position in which it is impossible for either player to win (such as insufficient
material), or it may refer to a simple, lifeless position that would require a major blunder
before either side would have a chance to win.[112]
dead position
A position where neither player can mate the opponent’s king with any series of legal
moves (e.g. knight and king against a bare king). This position is drawn.[113]
decoy
This is a tactic used to lure a piece to a particular square.[114]
defense
 1. A move or plan to meet the opponent's attack.[107]
a b c d e f g h
2. Part of the name of openings played by Black; e.g.
the Scandinavian Defense, King's Indian Defence, 8 8

English Defence, etc.[107] 7 7

deflect 6 6
The inverse of a decoy. Whereas a decoy involves 5 5
luring an enemy piece to a bad square, a deflection 4 4
involves luring an enemy piece away from a good 3 3
square; typically, away from a square on which it
2 2
defends another piece or threat. Deflection is thus
closely related to overloading.[115] 1 1
a b c d e f g h
demonstration board
A large standing chess board used to analyze a game A dead draw by means of
or show a game in progress. Johann Löwenthal insufficient material. King versus
king and bishop will not ever lead to
invented the demonstration board in 1857.[116]
checkmate.
descriptive notation
A system of recording chess moves, used primarily in
the English and Spanish speaking countries until the
1980s. Descriptive notation is based on natural
language descriptions of chess moves rendered in
abbreviated form, for example "pawn to queen's
bishop's fourth" is rendered as "P-QB4". Now replaced
by the standard algebraic notation.[117]
desperado
A piece that seems determined to give itself up,
typically to bring about stalemate or perpetual check. Wouter Mees at a demonstration
Also an en prise or trapped piece that sacrifices itself board
for the maximum compensation possible.[118]
development
The movement of non-pawn pieces in the opening from their original squares to squares
where they can be more active. Development of one's pieces is one of the objectives of
the opening phase of the game.[114]
diagonal
A line of squares of the same color touching corner to corner, along which a queen or
bishop can move.[119]
discovered attack
An attack made by a queen, rook or bishop when another piece or pawn moves out of its
way.[114]
discovered check
A discovered attack to the king. This occurs when a player moves a piece, resulting in
another piece putting their opponent's king in check.[120]
domination
From endgame studies, control of all movement squares of an enemy piece[121]
double attack
Two attacks made with one move: these attacks may be made by the same piece (in which
case it is a fork); or by different pieces, for example in a discovered attack when the moved
piece also makes a threat.[114]
double check
A check delivered by two pieces at the same time. A double check necessarily involves a
discovered check. By its nature a double check cannot be met by interposing a defending
 piece in the line of attack, or by capturing an attacker;
when subjected to a double check, the attacked king a b c d e f g h
must move, which makes the double check especially 8 8
powerful as an attacking tactic.[122] 7 7

doubled pawns 6 6
Two pawns of the same color on the same file; 5 5
generally considered a weakness due to their inability 4 4
to defend each other.[119] 3 3
doubled rooks 2 2
A powerful configuration in which a player's two rooks
1 1
are placed on the same file or rank with no other men
a b c d e f g h
between them. They defend each other and attack
along the shared file or rank, as well as two additional Once the e4-bishop moves, it is
ranks or files. The configuration can be especially discovered check by the rook.
decisive in the endgame.[123]
draw
A game that ends without victory for either player. Most drawn games are draws by
agreement. The other ways that a game can end in a draw are by stalemate, by a dead
position, by the threefold repetition rule, by the fifty-move rule, by the fivefold repetition rule
and by the seventy-five-move rule. A position is said to be a draw (or a "drawn position" or
"theoretical draw") if either player can, through correct play, eventually force the game into
a position where the game must end in a draw, regardless of the moves made by the other
player. A draw is usually scored as ½ point, although in some matches only wins are
counted and draws are ignored.[114]
draw by agreement
A game that is ended by both players' accepting a draw.[124] See also resign.
draw death
Hypothetical scenario whereby elite-level chess players, aided by modern computer
analysis, become so good that they never make mistakes, leading to endless drawn
games (since chess is widely believed to be drawn with best play from both sides).[125]
drawing line
An opening variation that commonly ends in a draw.[126]
drawing weapon
An opening line played with the intent of drawing the game.[127]
drawish
An adjective describing a position or game that is likely to end in a draw.[128]
draw odds
A type of chess handicap where one player (Black in an Armageddon game) has only to
draw in order to win the match.[129]
draw offer
A proposal by a player to the opponent that the game be drawn by agreement.[130]
dynamism
A style of play in which the activity of the pieces is favored over more positional
considerations, even to the point of accepting permanent structural or spatial weaknesses.
Dynamism stemmed from the teachings of the Hypermodern school and challenged the
dogma found in more classical teachings, such as those put forward by Wilhelm Steinitz
and Siegbert Tarrasch.[131]

E
eat
To remove the opponent's piece or pawn from the board by taking it with one's own piece
or pawn.[132][133] See also capture.
ECF
The English Chess Federation (ECF) is the governing chess organisation in England and
is one of the federations of the FIDE. It was known as the British Chess Federation (BCF)
until 2005 when it was renamed.
ECO
The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO), a standard and comprehensive chess
opening reference. Also a classification system (ECO code) for openings that assigns an
alphanumeric code from A00 to E99 to each opening.
edge
An edge is a small but meaningful advantage in the position against one's opponent. It is
often said White has an edge in the starting position, since White moves first (see First-
move advantage in chess).[134]
Elo rating system
The Elo rating system is a method for calculating the relative skill levels of chess players,
named after Arpad Elo. Since 2012, FIDE publishes a monthly international chess rating
list using the Elo system.[135]
endgame
The third and last phase of the game, when there are few pieces left on the board. The
endgame follows the middlegame.[135]
endgame tablebase
A computerized database of endgames with a small number of pieces, providing perfect
play for both players, and thus completely solving those endgames. By 2012, tablebases
have been calculated for all positions with up to seven pieces.[136]
en passant a b c d e f g h
[from French, "in the act of passing"] The rule that
8 8
allows a pawn that has just advanced two squares to
7 7
be captured by an enemy pawn that is on the same
rank and adjacent file. The pawn can be taken as if it 6 6
had advanced only one square. Capturing en passant 5 5
is possible only on the next move.[137] 4 4
en prise 3 3
[from French, "in a position to be taken",[138][139] often 2 2
italicized] En prise describes a piece or pawn exposed
1 1
to a material-winning capture by the opponent. This is
a b c d e f g h
either a hanging piece, an undefended pawn, a piece
attacked by a less valuable attacker, or a piece or pawn After 1.d4 c5 2.d5 e5, White can
defended insufficiently. For instance, 1.e4 Nf6 2.Nf3? play 3.dxe6, capturing the e-pawn
leaves White's e-pawn en prise.[140][141] en passant on the next move. The
white pawn is placed on e6, and the
epaulette mate black pawn on e5 is removed from
A checkmate position where the king is blocked on the board.
both sides by its own rooks.[142]
EPD
An abbreviation for Extended Position Description.
equalize
Or equalise. To reach a position where the players have equal chances of winning,
referred to as equality, or a position that is equal. In the opening, because White has the
advantage of the first move, the immediate goal for Black is to achieve equality.[143]
escape square
See flight square. a b c d e f g h
8 8
evaluation
Or simply eval. The analysis of a position. A computer 7 7
or engine evaluation is a means of assigning a number 6 6
value to a position, based not on intelligence, but on 5 5
algorithms, which vary from engine to engine and 4 4
depend on engine strength. Engine evaluations have
3 3
foibles and imperfections even when functioning as
designed. If an engine describes a position as +2.50, 2 2
the plus sign ("+") indicates the position is favorable to 1 1
White; a minus sign ("−") indicates the position is a b c d e f g h
favorable to Black. The number can correspond to the The pawn on e4 is en prise.
approximate value of pieces, although engines use
other factors besides material. The notation +2.50
indicates that White is ahead by two and one-half
pawns. The notation +M4 indicates that White can force checkmate in four
moves.[144][145][146] Cf. analysis.
exchange
To swap or trade pieces by capture. Usually the pieces are of equal value (i.e., rook for
rook, knight for knight, etc.), or of bishop for knight (two pieces that are considered
approximately equal in value).[147] Also called even exchange.
exchange, the
The advantage of a rook over a minor piece (knight or bishop). The player who captures a
rook for a minor piece is said to have "won the exchange", the player who has lost the rook
has "lost the exchange". An exchange sacrifice is giving up a rook for a minor piece.[140]
exchange variation
This is a type of opening in which there is an early, voluntary exchange of pawns or
pieces.[148]
exhibition
Chess games played for the public in various formats and for various purposes, often to
promote the game, or a particular match or player, or as a fundraiser. An exhibition may pit
two masters against each other, and normally use chess clocks. In a simultaneous
exhibition, one player takes on a number of opponents at once, and it is often not timed. A
blindfold exhibition is the same but more challenging, since the exhibitor plays without
seeing the boards.[149]
expanded center
The central sixteen squares of the chessboard.[150]
exposed king
A king lacking pawns to shield it from enemy attack.[151]
Extended Position Description
A Forsyth–Edwards Notation derivative format that contains the position on the
chessboard, but not the game. It is primarily used to test chess engines.[152] Abbr. EPD.

F
family fork
A knight fork that simultaneously attacks the enemy king (giving check), queen, and
possibly other pieces. Also known as a "family check".[153]
FAN
 An abbreviation for figurine algebraic notation, which substitutes symbols for letters to
represent piece names (e.g. ♘f3 instead of Nf3).[154]
fast chess
A form of chess in which both sides are given less time to make their moves than under
the normal tournament time controls. See also: rapid chess, blitz chess, bullet chess.
FEN
An abbreviation for Forsyth–Edwards Notation.
FGM
An abbreviation for the FICGS Grandmaster title.
fianchetto
To develop a bishop to the board's longest diagonal on the file of the adjacent knight (b2 or
g2 for White; b7 or g7 for Black). The Italian word ("little flank") is pronounced "fyan-
ketto".[155]
FICGS Grandmaster
A correspondence chess title calculated by the FICGS (Free Internet Correspondence
Games Server) organization.[156]
FIDE
The World Chess Federation (Fédération Internationale des Échecs), the primary
international chess organizing and governing body. The abbreviated name FIDE is nearly
always used in place of the full name in French.[157]
FIDE Master
A chess title ranking below International Master.[158] Abbr. FM.
fifty-move rule
A draw may be claimed if no capture or pawn move has occurred in the last fifty moves by
either side.[159] For the occurrence of seventy-five such moves, see seventy-five-move
rule.
file a b c d e f g h
A column of the chessboard. A specific file can be
8 8
named either using its position in algebraic notation, a–
7 7
h, or by using its position in descriptive notation. For
example, "f-file" and "king bishop file" both denote the 6 6
squares f1–f8 (or KB1–KB8 in descriptive 5 5
notation).[157]
4 4
fingerfehler 3 3
[from German, "finger mistake"] An error caused by 2 2
unthinkingly touching the wrong piece or releasing a
1 1
piece on the wrong square, forcing the player to move
a b c d e f g h
that piece in accordance with the touch-move rule.[160]
The f-file
first board
In team chess, the player who is assigned to face the
strongest opponents. Also called top board and board
one. Second board faces the next strongest players, followed by third board, and so on.
Generally board assignments must be made before the competition begins and players
may not switch boards, although reserve players are often allowed as substitutes.
first-move advantage
The slight (by most accounts) advantage that White has by virtue of moving first.[157]
first player
The expression "the first player" is sometimes used to refer to White.
first rank
 See back rank.
Fischer delay
A time control method with time delay, invented by Bobby Fischer. When it becomes a
player's turn to move, the delay is added to the player's remaining time.[161]
Fischer Random Chess
See Chess960.
fivefold repetition
A game is drawn if the same position occurs five times, with specific meaning of
occurrence as under threefold repetition.[162]
five-minute chess
See blitz chess.
flag
Part of an analogue chess clock, usually red, that indicates when the minute hand passes
the hour. To "flag" someone means winning the game on the basis of the opponent
exceeding the time control.[157]
flag-fall
The event when the allotted time of a player has just expired; the player has run out of
time.[83]
flank
The queenside a-, b-, and c-files; or the kingside f-, g-, and h-files. Distinguished from the
center d-file and e-file.[163] Also called wing.
flank opening
An opening played by White and typified by play on one or both flanks.[164]
flight square
A square to which a piece can move, that allows it to escape attack.[153] Also called
escape square. See also luft.
FM
An abbreviation for the FIDE Master title.
Fool's mate
The shortest possible chess game ending in mate:
1.f3 e5 2.g4 Qh4# (or minor variations on this).[165]
forced mate
A sequence of two or more moves culminating in
checkmate that the opponent cannot prevent.[166]
forced move
A move that is the only one to not result in a
serious disadvantage for the moving player.
Forced can also be used to describe a sequence
of moves for which the player has no viable
alternative, for example "the forced win of a piece"
or "a forced checkmate". In these cases the player
cannot avoid the loss of a piece or checkmate, Fool's mate
respectively.[165]
forced win
A win guaranteed by a series of forcing moves.
forcing move
A move that presents a threat and limits the opponent's responses.[167]
forfeit
 Refers to losing the game by breaking rules, by absence or by exceeding the time control
(forfeit on time).[168]
fork
A simultaneous attack by a single piece on two (or more) of the opponent's pieces (or
other direct target, such as a mate threat). When the attacker is a knight the tactic is often
specifically called a knight fork. Some sources state that only a knight can give a fork and
that the term double attack is correct when another piece is involved, but this is by no
means universal usage.[5]
Forsyth–Edwards Notation
A standard notation for describing a particular board position of a chess game. The
purpose of FEN notation is to provide all the necessary information to restart a game from
a particular position.[169][170] Abbr. FEN.
fortress
In endgame theory, a fortress is an impenetrable position which, if obtained by the side
with a material disadvantage, may result in a draw due to the stronger side's inability to
make progress.[171]
frame
A square region of the board enclosing another region not part of the given frame, akin to a
picture frame. Also referred to as a ring.[172] The outer frame consists of the 28 squares
along the edge of the board, the middle frame consists of the 20 squares just inside the
outer frame, and the inner frame consists of the 12 squares just inside the middle
frame.[173] The notion of the frame may be expanded to include the center itself as the
innermost frame. The mobility of pieces is closely related to the frame on which they stand.
In general, a piece closer to the center has greater freedom of movement than a piece
closer to the edge of the board.
friendly game
A game that is not played as part of a match, tournament, or exhibition. Often the game is
not timed, but if a chess clock is used, rapid time controls are common. The term refers
only to the circumstances in which the game is played, not the relationship between the
players or the intensity of the competition.[174] Also called casual game.

G
gambit
A sacrifice (usually of a pawn) used to gain an early advantage in space or time in the
opening.[5]
game clock
A synonym for chess clock.
game score
Often shortened to score. The record of a game in some form of notation, usually
algebraic notation. In over-the-board tournaments, the game score is recorded on a score
sheet.[175]
gardez
[from French: gardez la reine!, "Protect the Queen!"] An announcement to the opponent
that their queen is under direct attack, similar to the announcement of "check". This
warning was customary until the early 20th century.[176]
GM
An abbreviation for Grandmaster.[177]
God
 Metaphorical; a hypothetical player who always plays perfectly.[178]
good bishop
A bishop that has greater mobility, because the player's own pawns are on squares of
color opposite to that of the bishop.[179] See also bad bishop.
Grandmaster
The highest title a chess player can attain (besides World Champion). Awarded by FIDE,
the title is valid for life unless exceptional circumstances (such as cheating) occur. [180]
Abbr. GM.
grandmaster draw
A game in which the players agree to a quick draw. Originally it referred to such games
between grandmasters, but the term can now refer to any such game.[180]
Greek gift sacrifice
A typical sacrifice of a bishop by White playing Bxh7+ or by Black playing ...Bxh2+ against
a castled king to initiate a mating attack. Also known as the classical bishop sacrifice.[181]

H
half-open file
A file on which only one player has no pawns.[182] Also called semi-open file.
handicap
See odds.
hanging
Unprotected and exposed to capture. A hanging piece may also be said to be en
prise.[180]
hanging pawns
Two pawns of the same color on adjacent files, with no pawns of the same color on the
files either side of them.[180]
Harry
A nickname for the h-pawn, sometimes occurring in the expression, "Harry the h-
pawn".[183][184]
hauptturnier
German word that is freely translated as "candidates tournament". In the early part of the
20th century, it was necessary for the ambitious European amateur to win a succession of
prizes in small tournaments, to progress to a higher level of competition. The creation of
the hauptturnier enabled the process to become more formalized, and they became a
regular feature of the major German chess congresses. Winning such an event conferred
the title of 'Master of the German Chess Federation', and this, in turn, could be used to gain
admittance to prestigious international tournaments. Some of the best players in chess
history, such as Emanuel Lasker and Siegbert Tarrasch, secured their Master titles and
advanced their chess careers in this way.[185]
heavy piece
See major piece.
hole
A square that is inside or near a player's territory that cannot be controlled by a pawn. It is
a gap in a player's pawn configuration, and especially dangerous when the hole is close
to the center or near the king. A knight landing on a hole may be part of an attack. An
example of a hole is e4 in the Stonewall Attack.[186]
home rank
Rank one for White; rank eight for Black.[187] See back rank.
horizontal line
See rank. a b c d e f g h
8 8
Horwitz bishops
A player's light-square and dark-square bishops placed 7 7
so that they occupy adjacent diagonals, creating a 6 6
potent attack. Also called raking bishops, and 5 5
sometimes Harrwitz bishops.[190][191] 4 4
human move 3 3
A move a human would make, as opposed to the kind 2 2
of move that only a computer would make.[192] 1 1
Hutton pairing a b c d e f g h
A pairing technique invented in 1921 by George
The dots indicate holes. (Evans,
Dickson Hutton for matching teams of players in which 1967)
only one game is required per player. Has been used
regularly for correspondence team events and for
matches between many teams conducted on one
Horwitz vs. Harrwitz,
day.[193] Also called jamboree pairing.
London 1846, rd. 10, 0–1[188]
hypermodernism
a b c d e f g h
A school of thought that prefers controlling the center
with pieces from the flanks as opposed to occupying it 8 8
directly with pawns. Two major proponents of 7 7
hypermodernism were Réti and Nimzowitsch.[194] See 6 6
also classical. 5 5
4 4
I 3 3
2 2
ICCA 1 1
See International Correspondence Chess Federation. a b c d e f g h
ICCF After 30.Qe2. Black's Horwitz
An abbreviation for the International Correspondence bishops are aimed at White's
Chess Federation.[195] kingside.[189]
ICS
An abbreviation for Internet chess server.
IGM
An abbreviation for the older term International Grandmaster. The modern usage is
Grandmaster (GM).
illegal move
A move that is not permitted by the rules of chess. An illegal move discovered during the
course of a game must be corrected.[196]
illegal position
A position in a game that is a consequence of an illegal move or an incorrect starting
position; a position that is impossible to reach by any sequence of legal moves.[196]
IM
An abbreviation for the International Master title.[197]
imbalance
Any difference between the positions of White and Black. An imbalanced position is one
where White and Black both have unique advantages. Conversely, a balanced position
may be drawish.[194]
inaccuracy
 A move that is not the best, but not as bad as a blunder.[197]
inactive
See passive.
increment
Refers to the amount of time added to each player's time before each move. For instance,
rapid chess might be played with "25 minutes plus 10 second per move increment",
meaning that each player starts with 25 minutes on their clock, and this increments by 10
seconds after (or before) each move, usually using the Fischer Delay method.[39] See
Time control#Compensation (delay methods).
Indian bishop a b c d e f g h
A fianchettoed bishop, characteristic of the Indian
8 8
defenses, the King's Indian and the Queen's
7 7
Indian.[198]
6 6
Indian defense
5 5
An opening that begins 1.d4 Nf6. Originally used to
describe queen's pawn defenses involving the 4 4
fianchetto of one or both black bishops; now used to 3 3
describe all Black defenses after 1.d4 Nf6 that do not 2 2
transpose into the Queen's Gambit.[199] 1 1
initiative a b c d e f g h
The ability to make attacking moves, and force the In the KID Fianchetto Variation
course of play. It is an aspect of time. The attacking (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nf3 Bg7 4.g3 0-
player has the initiative, and the defending player
0 5.Bg2 d6 6.0-0), both sides have
attempts to seize it.[200] Indian bishops.
innovation
A synonym for theoretical novelty.
insufficient material
An endgame scenario in which all pawns have been captured, and one side has only its
king remaining while the other has only its king, a king plus a knight, or a king plus a
bishop. A king plus bishop versus a king plus bishop with the bishops on the same color is
also a draw, since neither side can checkmate, regardless of play. Situations where
checkmate is possible only if the inferior side blunders are covered by the fifty-move
rule.[201] See Draw (chess)#Draws in all games.
interference
The interruption of the line or diagonal between an attacked piece and its defender by
interposing a piece.[200]
intermediate move
See zwischenzug.
intermezzo
See zwischenzug.
International Arbiter
A tournament official who arbitrates disputes and performs other duties such as keeping
the score when players are under time pressure.
International Correspondence Chess Federation
The International Correspondence Chess Federation (abbr. ICCF) was founded in 1951 to
replace the International Correspondence Chess Association (ICCA).[195]
International Grandmaster
Abbr. IGM. The original name of the FIDE title, now simply called Grandmaster (GM).
International Master
 A chess title that ranks below Grandmaster but above FIDE Master. Abbr. IM.
International Woman Master
Obsolete name for Woman International Master.
Internet chess server
An external server that provides the facility to play, discuss, and view chess over the
Internet. Abbr. ICS.
interpose
To move a piece between an attacking piece and its target, blocking the line or diagonal of
attack. Interposing is not possible if the attacker is a knight, king, or pawn, thus only
possible in case of attacking rooks, bishops, or queens. Interposing a piece is one of the
three possible responses to a check.[5]
Interzonal tournament
A tournament organised by the FIDE starting from the 1950s to 1993. It was the second
qualifying cycle of the World Chess Championship. The participants were selected from
the top players of the Zonal tournaments. The top ranking players qualified for the
Candidates Tournament. Since 1998 the winners of the zonal tournaments have played
short matches against each other over a few weeks in a knockout-style competition to
determine who is eligible for the Candidates Tournament.
IQP
An abbreviation for isolated queen pawn. See also isolani.
irregular opening
Early 19th-century chess literature classified all openings that did not begin with either
1.e4 e5 or 1.d4 d5 as "irregular". As opening theory developed and many openings
previously considered "irregular" became standard (e.g. the Sicilian Defence), the term
gradually became less common. Opening books today are more likely to describe debuts
such as 1.b4 (the Sokolsky Opening) as "uncommon" or "unorthodox".[202]
isolani
Refers to a d-pawn with no pawns of the same color on the adjacent c-file and e-file, and is
a synonym for isolated queen pawn (abbr. IQP). Aron Nimzowitsch, who coined the term,
regarded the isolani as a weapon of attack in the middlegame but an endgame weakness;
he saw the problem of hanging pawns as related.[203] See also Pawn structure#Queen's
Gambit – Isolani.
isolated pawn
A pawn with no pawn of the same color on an adjacent file.[204]
Italian bishop a b c d e f g h
A white bishop developed to c4 or a black bishop
8 8
developed to c5. A bishop so developed is
7 7
characteristic of the Italian Game. In the Giuoco Piano
both players have Italian bishops. The Italian bishop 6 6
stands in contrast to the Spanish bishop on b5 5 5
characteristic of the Ruy Lopez. "Italian" may be used 4 4
as an adjective for an opening where one or both
3 3
players have Italian bishops.[205]
2 2
1 1
J a b c d e f g h
Italian bishops in the Giuoco Piano
j'adoube
(from French, "I adjust", pronounced [ʒa.dub]) The
international signal of the intention to adjust the position of a piece on the board. When
playing with the touch-move rule, a player must say this in order to be able to touch a
 piece without being subject to the touched piece rule. The verb adouber, literally "to dub"
(raise to the knighthood), is rarely used in contemporary French outside of this context. A
local language equivalent, e.g. "I am adjusting," is generally also acceptable.[5]

K
K
Symbol used for the king when recording chess moves in English.[20]
key square
1. An important square.
2. In pawn endings, a square whose occupation by one side's king guarantees the
achievement of a certain goal, such as the promotion of a pawn or the win of a pawn.[201]
KGA
The King's Gambit Accepted opening.
KGD
The King's Gambit Declined opening.
KIA
The King's Indian Attack opening.
kibitz
As a spectator, making comments on a chess game that can be heard by the players.
Kibitzing on a serious game while it is in progress (rather than during a post-mortem) is a
serious breach of chess etiquette.[206]
kick
Attacking a piece, often a knight, with a pawn, so that it will move. Kicking a piece may
lead to gaining a tempo, or may force the opponent to concede control of key squares.[206]
KID
The King's Indian Defence opening.
king

king bishop
Or king's bishop. The bishop that is on the kingside at the start of the game. The terms
king knight and king rook are also used. Sometimes abbreviated "KB", "KN", and "KR",
respectively.[81]
king hunt
A sustained attack on the enemy king that results in the king being driven a far distance
from its initial position, typically resulting in its checkmate. Some of the most famous
games featuring king hunts are Edward Lasker–Thomas, Polugaevsky–Nezhmetdinov,
and Kasparov–Topalov.[207]
king knight
Or king's knight. The knight that is on the kingside at the start of the game. The terms king
bishop and king rook are also used. Sometimes abbreviated "KN", "KB", and "KR",
respectively.[81]
king pawn
Or king's pawn. A pawn on the king's file, i.e. the e-file. Sometimes abbreviated "KP".
Also king bishop pawn (KBP), king knight pawn (KNP), and king rook pawn (KRP) for a
pawn on the f-, g-, or h-file, respectively.[81]
king pawn opening
Or king's pawn opening. An opening that begins 1.e4.
king rook
Or king's rook. The rook that is on the kingside at the start of the game. The terms king
bishop and king knight are also used. Sometimes abbreviated "KR", "KB", and "KN",
respectively.[81]
kingside
Or king's side. The side of the board (half-board) the kings are on at the start of the game
(the e- through h-file), as opposed to the queenside.[33] Also called king's wing.
king walk
A consecutive series of king moves designed to bring the king to a safer square. For
example, if a player has castled kingside but the opponent has sacrificed a piece to
destroy the kingside pawn cover, they may choose to walk the king over to the queenside
to shelter behind the queenside pawns.[208] See also King walk.
knight

knight pawn
Or knight's pawn. A pawn on the knight's file, i.e. the b-file or g-file. Sometimes
abbreviated "NP".[81]
knight's tour
A puzzle that challenges a person to set a knight on an
empty chessboard, and make the piece move around
(as it moves in a chess game), but to visit every square
only once. The knight's tour is the most well known of a
variety of "tours" and puzzles based on chess pieces. A
"closed" tour (also known as a "re-entrant tour") ends on
the same square on which it began and needs 64
moves. An "open" tour ends on a different square and
needs only 63 moves.[209]
knockout tournament
See Single-elimination tournament. A tournament Example of a knight's tour
conducted as a series of matches in which the winner of
each match advances to the next round and the loser is
eliminated. Well-known chess tournaments held in the
knockout format include London 1851 and the 2007 Chess World Cup. Cf. round-robin
tournament and Swiss tournament.
Kotov syndrome
This phenomenon, described by Alexander Kotov in his 1971 book Think Like a
Grandmaster, can occur when a player does not find a good plan after thinking long and
hard on a position. The player, under time pressure, then suddenly decides to make a
move that they have hardly thought about at all, and it may not be a good move for that
reason.[210]
Kriegspiel
[from German, "war game"] Kriegspiel is a chess variant played by two opponents who
can see only their own board, and one monitoring umpire who makes the moves of both
players on a neutral board. It requires three chess sets and boards. The players make their
moves based on limited information from the umpire. It was introduced in 1898. It is
sometimes referred to as blind chess, not be confused with blindfold chess.[211]
Kt
The symbol sometimes used for the knight when recording chess moves in descriptive
notation, mainly in older literature. An N is used instead in algebraic notation and in later
descriptive notation to avoid confusion with K, the symbol for the king.[20]
L
laws of chess
The rules of chess.[83]
lightning chess
A form of chess with an extremely short time limit, either blitz chess or bullet chess.[212]
light-square bishop
One of the two bishops that moves only on the light squares. In the initial position, White's
light-square bishop is on f1; Black's is on c8.[201] Often shortened to light bishop.[213] Cf.
dark-square bishop.
light squares
The 32 light-colored squares on the chessboard, such as h1 and a8.[214] Cf. dark squares.
line
1. A sequence of moves, usually in the opening or in analyzing a position.
2. An open path for a piece (queen, rook, or bishop) to move or control squares.[212]
line piece
A piece whose movement is defined to be along straight lines of squares (i.e. the rook,
bishop, and queen).[215]
liquidation
See simplification.
long diagonal
One of the two diagonals with eight squares (a1–h8 or h1–a8).[216]
long-range piece
A bishop, rook, or queen.
loose piece
A piece vulnerable to opponent attacks because it is undefended and cannot easily be
withdrawn or supported.[217]
loose position
A position vulnerable to opponent attacks because it is overextended or its pieces are
uncoordinated.
losing a tempo
See tempo.
loss
A defeat for one of the two players, which may occur due to that player being checkmated
by the other player, resigning, exceeding the time control, or being forfeited by the
tournament director. In chess, a zero-sum game, this results in a win for the other
player.[218]
Lucena position
A well-known rook and pawn versus rook endgame position in which the player with the
extra pawn can force a win by cutting off the opponent's king and placing a rook on the 4th
rank in order to block the opponent's rook checks, thereby allowing the pawn to queen.[55]
luft
[from German, "air"] Space made for a castled king to give it a flight square to prevent a
back-rank mate. Usually luft is made by moving a pawn on the second rank in front of the
king.[219] See also flight square.

M
main line
Lucena position
The principal, most important, or most often played
variation of an opening.[220] a b c d e f g h
8 8
majority
A larger number of pawns on one flank opposed by a 7 7
smaller number of the opponent's; often a player with a 6 6
majority on one flank has a minority on the other.[221] A 5 5
central pawn majority is a larger number of pawns on 4 4
the center files.
3 3
major piece 2 2
A queen or rook, also known as a heavy piece.[222]
1 1
The primary distinction of major pieces versus minor
a b c d e f g h
pieces is that major pieces are capable of checkmate
with only their own king for support, as the enemy king White wins by 1.Rd1+ Ke7 2.Rd4!
is unable to step across the ranks and files they control. Ra1 3.Kc7 Rc1+ 4.Kb6 Rb1+ 5.Kc6
On an otherwise empty board, a major piece can move Rc1+ 6.Kb5 Rb1+ 7.Rb4 and the
from any square to any other square in at most two pawn queens.
moves.
man
A piece or a pawn, when the term piece is used as exclusive of pawns.[223]
Maróczy Bind a b c d e f g h
A bind on the light squares in the center, particularly 8 8
d5, obtained by White by placing pawns on c4 and e4.
7 7
Named for Géza Maróczy, it originally referred to
formations arising in some variations of the Sicilian 6 6
Defence, but the name is now also applied to similar 5 5
setups in the English Opening and the Queen's Indian 4 4
Defense. It was once greatly feared by Black but
3 3
means of countering it have been developed since the
1980s and earlier.[224] 2 2
1 1
master
a b c d e f g h
Loosely, a strong chess player who would be expected
to beat most amateurs. It may also refer to a formal title A typical Maróczy Bind position
such as International Master or National Master.
Standards vary, but a master will usually have an Elo
rating of over 2200.[225]
match
A competition between two individuals or two teams. A match may be the entire
competition, or it may be a round in a knockout tournament or team tournament. A chess
match always consists of at least two games, and often many more.[225]
mate
Short for checkmate.[226]
material
All of a player's pieces and pawns on the board. The player with pieces and pawns of
greater value is said to have a "material advantage". Gaining a material advantage is also
called "winning material".[227] See Chess piece relative value.
materialism
Playstyle characterised by a willingness to win material at the expense of positional
considerations. Chess computers are often materialistic.[228]
mating attack
 An attack aimed at checkmating the enemy king.[229]
mating net
A position or series of moves that leads to forced mate.[229]
MCO
Modern Chess Openings, a popular chess opening reference. Often the edition is also
given, as in MCO-14, the 14th edition. Cf. ECO.
middlegame
The part of a chess game that follows the opening and comes before the endgame,
beginning after the pieces are developed in the opening. This is usually roughly moves 20
through 40.[227]
miniature
A short game (usually no more than 20 to 25 moves), for example: 1.e3 e5 2.Qf3 d5 3.Nc3
e4 4.Qf4?? Bd6! and White resigned in Spiel–Künzel, Europe 1900,[230] because the
queen is trapped. However, a significant minority of authors include games up to 30
moves.[231] Usually only decisive games (not draws) are considered miniatures. Ideally, a
miniature should not be spoiled by an obvious blunder by the losing side. A miniature may
also qualify as a brilliancy. The Opera Game is a famous example. Sometimes called a
brevity [chiefly British].[52] See also Glossary of chess problems#miniature.
minor exchange
The exchange of a bishop for a knight.[232]
minority
A smaller number of pawns on one flank opposed by a larger number of the opponent's;
often a player with a minority on one flank has a majority on the other.[221]
minority attack
An advance of pawns on the side of the board where one has fewer pawns than the
opponent, usually carried out to provoke a weakness.[227]
minor piece
A bishop or knight.[227] Unlike major pieces, minor pieces are unable to contain the enemy
king or block his advance alone, as he can simply pass through the holes in their line of
attack. Compared to major pieces, minor pieces also find it difficult to navigate the entire
board; a knight may require four moves to reach a square two squares away, while a
bishop can only ever control half of all squares.
mobile pawn center
Pawns on central squares able to advance without becoming weak.[233]
mobility
The ability of a piece(s) to move around the board. Having space.[227]
mouse slip
A fumble by a player in the use of a computer control tool while playing chess on the
Internet that results in an unintended move.[234]
move
A full move is a turn by both players, White and Black. A turn by either White or Black is a
half-move, or (in computer context) one ply.[235]
move order
The sequence of moves one chooses to play an opening or execute a plan. Different move
orders often have different advantages and disadvantages. A plan that uses certain moves
can sometimes be improved by making the identical moves but in a different
sequence.[236] See also transposition.
mysterious rook move
 Coined by Nimzowitsch to refer to the placing of a rook on a closed file in anticipation that
the opponent is going to open the file. This move may either achieve a position with a rook
on an open file, or it may alternatively hinder the opponent's intentions (prophylaxis). The
meaning of the word has since expanded to refer to any rook move that appears to have a
hidden purpose.[237][238]

N
N
1. Symbol used for the knight when recording chess moves in English.
2. An abbreviation for novelty.
NCO
An abbreviation sometimes used for the chess opening reference Nunn's Chess
Openings. Cf. ECO and MCO.
NN
Traditionally used in game scores to indicate a player whose name is not known. The
origin is uncertain. It may be an abbreviation of the Latin nomina ("names"), or it may be
short for the Latin phrase nomen nescio ("name unknown").[239]
norm
A step toward earning a chess title; for example, a way of qualifying for the FIDE
grandmaster title is to earn three grandmaster norms. Each norm is earned by getting a
sufficiently high score in a tournament. To be a qualifying tournament, the tournament must
be sufficiently strong, and meet some other requirements; and the score necessary to
qualify for a norm depends on the strength of the tournament.[240][241]
notation
Any method of recording chess moves, allowing games to be later published, replayed
and analyzed. The most common notation today is algebraic notation, which is used
internationally. Formerly descriptive notation was standard in English language
publications. There are also systems of notation for recording chess positions without the
use of diagrams, the most common of which is Forsyth–Edwards Notation (FEN).[242]
novelty
See theoretical novelty.

O
occupation
Occupation of a rank or file means a rook or queen controls it; occupation of a square
means a piece or pawn sits on it.[243][244]
octopus
A strongly positioned knight in enemy territory. A knight not near the edge reaches out in
eight directions, like the eight tentacles of an octopus.[245]
odds
This refers to the stronger player giving the weaker player some sort of advantage in order
to make the game more competitive. It may be an advantage in material, in extra moves, in
time on the clock, or some combination of those elements. Since the advent of the chess
clock, time odds have become more common than material odds.[246]
offhand game
See skittles.
Olympiad
 An international team chess tournament organized biennially by FIDE. Each team
represents a FIDE member country.
O-O
Also 0-0. The move notation for kingside castling. (PGN format uses Os; FIDE uses
0s.)[247]
O-O-O
Also 0-0-0. The move notation for queenside castling. (PGN format uses Os; FIDE uses
0s.)[247]
open file
A file on which there are no pawns. A file on which only one player has pawns is said to
be half-open.[5]
open game
A game in which exchanges have opened files and diagonals, and there are few pawns in
the center, as opposed to a closed game.[248]
Open Game
Any opening that begins with the moves 1.e4 e5. Examples of Open Games include the
Ruy Lopez, the Giuoco Piano, the Danish Gambit, and many others. The Open Game is
also referred to as a Double King's Pawn Opening or Double King's Pawn Game.
opening
The beginning phase of the game, roughly the first dozen moves, but it can extend much
farther. In the opening players set up their pawn structures, develop their pieces, and
usually castle. The opening precedes the middlegame.[248]
opening innovation
A synonym for theoretical novelty.
opening preparation
Home study and analysis of openings and defenses that one expects to play, or meet, in
later tournament or match games. In high-level play, an important part of this is the search
for theoretical novelties that improve upon previous play or previously published
analysis.[249]
opening repertoire
The set of openings played by a particular player. The breadth of different players'
repertoires varies from very narrow to very broad.[250]
opening system
An opening that is defined by one player's moves and that can be played generally
regardless of the moves of the opponent, with the goal of reaching a desired type of
middlegame position. Sometimes several different move orders are possible. Examples
include the Colle System and Hippopotamus Defence.[251]
open lines
noun. Unobstructed files and diagonals. See also open game. verb. To move or exchange
pawns to bring about unobstructed files and diagonals.
open tournament
A tournament where anyone can enter, regardless of rating or invitation.[252] Cf. closed
tournament.
opposite-colored bishops
See bishops on opposite colors.
opposition
A position in which two kings stand on the same rank, file or diagonal with one empty
square between them. The player to move may be forced to move the king to a less
advantageous square. Opposition is a particularly important concept in endgames.[253]
 One orthogonal square separation is direct opposition; one diagonal square is diagonal
opposition; multiple squares separation is distant opposition. Cf. corresponding squares.
optimal play
See Best response. Both sides playing their best move at each turn, or one of equally
good alternatives. One side tries to win as quickly as possible while the other side tries to
delay it as long as possible, or optimal play may result in a draw. Cf. Solved game#Perfect
play.
OTB
An abbreviation for over the board.[254]
outpost
An outpost is a square protected by a pawn that is in or near the enemy's stronghold.
Outposts are a favorable position from which one can launch an attack, particularly using a
knight.[255]
outside passed pawn
A passed pawn near the edge of the board and not in the path of threats from the
opponent's pawns. In the endgame, such a pawn can constitute a strong advantage,
because it threatens to promote, and it also diverts the opponent's forces to restrain its
advance.[256]
overextended
An overextended position results when a player has advanced pawns too far into the
opponent's side without sufficient support. The premature advance can leave weaknesses
in the player's camp or the advanced pawns themselves may be weak ("overextended
pawns").[257]
overloaded
A piece that has too many defensive duties. An overloaded piece can sometimes be
deflected, or required to abandon one of its defensive duties.[258]
overprotection
The strategy of protecting an important pawn or square more than is apparently necessary.
This serves to dissuade the opponent from attacking that point, and the latent power of the
"over protectors" assembled around an important point is a significant threat that can bear
fruit at a small tactical change in the position. Aron Nimzowitsch coined the term and was
a proponent of overprotection.[259]
over the board
1. A game played face-to-face with the opponent, as opposed to a remote opponent as in
online chess or correspondence chess.
2. Analysis carried out during a game in real time (not necessarily a face-to-face game) as
opposed to during preparation. Finding accurate moves over the board is harder than
finding them with computer assistance in one's own time. "I looked up the gambit Smith
played and there's a line that refutes it, but I couldn't find it over the board."[254]
Abbr. OTB.
overworked
A synonym for overloaded.[260]

P
P
Symbol used for the pawn when recording chess positions in English. Also used for the
pawn when recording chess moves in descriptive notation.
pairing
 The assignment of opponents in a tournament. The most common pairing methods used in
chess tournaments are round-robin and the Swiss system.[261]
passed pawn a b c d e f g h
A pawn that has no pawn of the opposite color on its
8 8
file or on any adjacent files on its way to queening.[204]
7 7
passer 6 6
A passed pawn.[262]
5 5
passive
4 4
Describes a piece or pawn that is inactive and able to
3 3
move to or control relatively few squares, or a position
without possibilities for attack or counterplay.[259] 2 2
Antonym: active. 1 1

passive sacrifice a b c d e f g h
The sacrifice of a piece, by moving a different piece, White with a passed pawn on b7.
leaving the sacrificed piece under attack. Black has a passed pawn on g6.
pattern recognition
A part of chess thinking that involves remembering and
recognizing certain recurring aspects large and small, visual and dynamic. It is a kind of
thinking that gives an advantage to a player with great experience. It is distinct from the
intellectual activity of calculation. It uses intuitive thinking that is familiar to humans, but is
foreign to computers. It can be developed by studying chess puzzles. It has been studied
by Adriaan de Groot, and other scientists, who have attempted to discover how chess
players think.[263][264]
patzer
A weak chess player (from German: patzen, "to bungle").[265] See also woodpusher.
pawn

pawn and move

A type of odds game, common in the 18th and 19th centuries, in which the superior player
plays Black and begins the game with one of their pawns, usually the king bishop pawn,
removed from the board; plus White gets an extra move at the start.[266]
pawn break
A pawn move that attacks an enemy pawn in order to open up lines and/or challenge the
opponent's pawn structure. See also break.
pawn center a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
Or pawn centre. A
8 8 8 8
player's pawns in
the center of the 7 7 7 7
board. Pawns on 6 6 6 6
the squares 5 5 5 5
adjacent to the
4 4 4 4
center may also be
3 3 3 3
considered part of
the pawn center. 2 2 2 2
Having a strong 1 1 1 1
pawn center was a b c d e f g h a b c d e f g h
considered White has a large pawn center in Pawn chains in the French Defence
absolutely
the King's Indian Defence, Four
essential until the
Pawns Attack.
hypermodernist
school introduced
 some new ideas.[267] Often shortened to center. See King's Indian Defence, Four Pawns
Attack for an example of an opening leading to an extended pawn center.
pawn chain
Two or more pawns of the same color diagonally linked. A pawn chain's weakest point is
the base, because it is not protected by another pawn.[259] See also pawn structure.
pawn island Lichtenhein vs. Morphy, 1857
A group of pawns of one color on consecutive files with a b c d e f g h
no other pawns of the same color on an adjacent file. A
8 8
pawn island consisting of one pawn is an isolated
pawn.[268] 7 7
6 6
pawn majority
See majority. 5 5
4 4
pawn minority
See minority. 3 3

pawn race 2 2
A situation where both opponents are pushing a 1 1
passed pawn in effort to be first to promote. a b c d e f g h
pawn roller Black has three pawn islands and
Two connected passed pawns. "Roller" refers to their White has two. The pawn on e5 is
ability to defend one another as they advance toward not isolated because it is adjacent
promotion. a file that has a white pawn.
pawn skeleton
See pawn structure.
pawn storm
An attacking technique where a group of pawns on one wing is advanced to break up the
defense.[269]
pawn structure
The placement of the pawns during the course of a game. As pawns are the least mobile
of the pieces and the only pieces unable to move backwards, the position of the pawns
greatly influences the character of the game.[270] Also called pawn skeleton.
PCA
An abbreviation for the Professional Chess Association.
performance rating
A number reflecting the approximate rating level at which a player performed in a
particular tournament or match. It is often calculated by adding together the player's
performances in each individual game, using the opponent's rating for a draw, adding 400
points to the opponent's rating for a win, and subtracting 400 points from the opponent's
rating for a loss, then dividing by the total number of games. For example, a player who
beat a 2400-rated player, lost to a 2600, drew a 2500, and beat a 2300, would have a
performance rating of 2550 (i.e. 2800 + 2200 + 2500 + 2700, divided by 4).[271] Abbr. PR.
perpetual check
When a player puts the opponent in check, and the check could be repeated endlessly, the
game will be declared a draw by repetition. This tactic can be resorted to as a form of
insurance in a losing position.[272] Often shortened to perpetual.
PGN
An abbreviation for Portable Game Notation.[273]
Philidor position
Usually refers to an important chess endgame that illustrates a drawing technique when
the defender has a king and rook versus a king, rook, and pawn. It is also known as the
 third rank defense, because of the importance of the rook on the third rank cutting off the
opposing king. It was analyzed by Philidor in 1777.[274] See also Rook and pawn versus
rook endgame.
piece
1. One of the chessmen or figures used to play the game – that is, a king, queen, rook,
bishop, knight or pawn. Each piece type has its own rules of movement on the board and
of capturing enemy pieces. This is the definition used in the context of rules of chess – for
example, the touched piece rule.
2. When annotating or discussing chess games, the term "piece" usually excludes pawns.
It may be used collectively for all "non-pawns" – for example, "White's pieces are well-
posted". In some contexts, it may refer specifically to a minor piece – for example, "White
is up two pieces for a rook".[275]
pin
When a piece is attacked but cannot legally move, because doing so would expose the
player's own king to the attack; or when a piece is attacked and can legally move out of the
line of attack, but such a move would expose a more valuable piece (or an unprotected
piece) to capture.[235] See absolute pin and relative pin, respectively.
playable
Said of an opening, a position, or move that gives the person playing it a tenable
position.[276]
play by hand
To make a move intuitively and without analyzing the move.[277]
ply
Term mainly used in computer chess to denote one play of either White or Black. Thus
equal to half a move.
poisoned pawn a b c d e f g h
An unprotected pawn that, if captured, causes
8 8
positional problems or material loss.[268]
7 7
Poisoned Pawn Variation
6 6
Any of several opening variations, the best-known of
5 5
these being in the Najdorf Variation of the Sicilian
Defence, in which there is a poisoned pawn.[278] 4 4
3 3
Portable Game Notation
This is a popular computer-processible ASCII format 2 2
for recording chess games (both the moves and related 1 1
data).[273] There are import and export versions: the a b c d e f g h
import version is lax, while the export version is not. Black has accepted the "poisoned"
Abbr. PGN. b2-pawn with 8...Qxb2 in the
positional play Sicilian Defence, Najdorf Variation.
Play based on strategy, on gaining and exploiting small
advantages, and on analyzing the larger position,
rather than calculating the more immediate tactics.[268]
positional player
A player who specializes in positional play, as distinguished from a tactician.
positional sacrifice
A sacrifice in which the lost material is not regained via a combination, but instead gains
positional compensation. These typically require deep positional understanding and are
often overlooked by computers. Also known as a true sacrifice, as opposed to a pseudo
sacrifice or sham sacrifice.
post mortem
 Analysis of a game after it has concluded, typically by one or both players and sometimes
with spectators (kibitzers) contributing as well. A player who has just lost the game thanks
to a dubious move has the chance to win the post-mortem by finding a better one.[268]
PR
An abbreviation for performance rating.
premove
In online chess, premoves are moves that are made before the opponent has taken their
turn. Premoving, the act of making premoves, is a popular way of saving time in blitz and
bullet formats.[279]
preparation
See opening preparation.
prepared variation
A well-analyzed novelty in the opening that is not published but first used against an
opponent in competitive play.[280]
Principle of two weaknesses
A technique of increasing one's advantage by causing the opponent, who has one
weakness, to have a second weakness. Even if both weaknesses are minor, the fact of
having two, in practice, becomes a major weakness.[281]
priyome
A Russian term for particular tactics that depend on pawn structure.[282]
problem-like
An elegant and counterintuitive tactical shot, of the type generally found in chess problems
rather than in actual play, can be termed problem-like.
promotion
Advancing a pawn to the eighth rank, converting it to a queen, rook, bishop or knight.
Promotion to a piece other than a queen is called underpromotion.[235]
prophylaxis
A strategy that frustrates and protects against an opponent's plan or tactic for fear of the
consequences.[268] See also blockade, overprotection, and mysterious rook move.
protected passed pawn
A passed pawn that is supported by another pawn.[283]
pseudo sacrifice
See sham sacrifice.
push
To move a pawn forward (v.), or a pawn move forward (n.).

Q
Q
Symbol used for the queen when recording chess moves in English.[20]
QGA
The Queen's Gambit Accepted opening.[284]
QGD
The Queen's Gambit Declined opening.[285]
QID
The Queen's Indian Defense opening.[286]
quad
 A round-robin style tournament between four players, where each participant plays every
other participant once.
queen
1.
2. verb. The act of promoting a pawn to a queen.[81]
queen bishop
Or queen's bishop. The bishop that is on the queenside at the start of the game. It is
abbreviated "QB".[287]
queening
Promotion to a queen. Also called promotion. Rarely used to indicate promotion to a
knight, rook, or bishop (i.e. underpromotion) as well.[204]
queen knight
Or queen's knight. The knight that is on the queenside at the start of the game. The terms
queen bishop and queen rook are also used. Sometimes abbreviated "QN", "QB", and
"QR", respectively.[81]
queen pawn
Or queen's pawn. A pawn on the queen's file, i.e. the d-file. Sometimes abbreviated "QP".
Also queen rook pawn (QRP), queen knight pawn (QNP), and queen bishop pawn (QBP)
for a pawn on the a-, b-, or c-file, respectively.[81]
queen pawn opening
Or queen's pawn opening. An opening that begins 1.d4.
queen rook
Or queen's rook. The rook that is on the queenside at the start of the game. The terms
queen bishop and queen knight are also used. Sometimes abbreviated "QR", "QB", and
"QN", respectively.[81]
queenside
Or queen's side. The side of the board (board-half) the queens are on at the start of the
game (the a- through d-file), as opposed to the kingside.[33] Also called queen's wing.
quickplay finish
The same as sudden death.[288]
quiet move
A move that does not attack or capture an enemy piece.[289]

R
R
Symbol used for the rook when recording chess moves in English.[20]
Rabar Classification
A system of opening classification codes introduced by Braslav Rabar for Chess
Informant. The system was used by Informant publications from 1966 to 1981 but has
since been replaced by ECO codes.[290]
raking bishops
Another term for Horwitz bishops.[291]
randomized chess
"A form of unorthodox chess designed to discount knowledge of the openings. The pawns
are placed as in the array and behind them the pieces are placed in unorthodox
fashion."[292] See also Chess960.
rank
 A row of the chessboard. In algebraic notation, ranks
are numbered 1–8 starting from White's side of the a b c d e f g h
board; however, players customarily refer to ranks from 8 8
their own perspectives. For example: White's king and 7 7
other pieces start on their first (or "back") rank, whereas 6 6
Black calls the same rank the eighth rank; White's
5 5
seventh rank is Black's second; and so on. If neither
perspective is given, White's view is assumed. This 4 4
relative reference to ranks was formalized in the older 3 3
descriptive notation.[293] 2 2
rapid chess 1 1
A form of chess with reduced time limit, usually 30 a b c d e f g h
minutes per player. White's ranks are indicated on the
recapture left (a-file); Black's relative
The capture of an opponent's piece that previously reference to ranks are indicated on
made a capture, and usually played immediately the right (h-file).
following the opponent's capture move. The capture
and recapture occur on the same square, and usually
the pieces captured and recaptured have the same value.
refute
To demonstrate that a strategy, move, or opening is not as good as previously thought
(often, that it leads to a loss), or that previously published analysis is unsound. A refutation
is sometimes colloquially referred to as a bust. A refutation in the context of chess
problems or endgame studies is often called a cook.[294]
related squares
See corresponding squares.
relative pin
A pin where it is legal to move the pinned piece out of the line of attack. In other words, the
piece is not pinned to the king, but to some other piece. Contrast with absolute pin where
the pinned piece is not permitted to move, because the piece it is pinned to is the king -
moving would expose the king to check which is illegal.
remis
[French] A draw. It literally means "reset" and is somewhat archaic (the usual word for a
draw in modern French is nulle) but is internationally understood and may be used
between players without a common language.
repertoire
See opening repertoire.
reserve tempo
A move a player has available. Such a move may not be crucial to the position on the
board, but being able to force the opponent to move by making a reserve move can on
occasion result in a significant advantage.[295]
resign
To concede loss of the game. A resignation is usually indicated by stopping the clocks,
sometimes by offering a handshake, or by saying "I resign". A traditional way to resign is
by tipping over one's king. It is common for a game to be resigned, rather than for it to end
with checkmate, because experienced players can foresee the checkmate.[296][297]
resign on time
A player who in a hopeless position intentionally runs out of time to avoid having to resign
can be said to have resigned on time. This is usually performed in a more subtle manner
than that of Curt von Bardeleben walking out of the tournament hall against Wilhelm
 Steinitz. A player low on time and in a losing position may simply "forget" to pay any
attention to the clock.
Romantic chess
Romantic chess was the style of chess prevalent in the 19th century. It is characterized by
bold attacks and sacrifices.[298]
rook

rook lift
A maneuver that places a rook in front of its own pawns, often on the third or fourth rank.
This can allow the rook to treat a half-open file as if it were an open file, or a closed file as
if it were half-open.[299]
rook pawn
Or rook's pawn. A pawn on the rook's file, i.e. the a-file or h-file. Sometimes abbreviated
"RP".[81]
round-robin tournament
This is a tournament in which each participant plays every other participant an equal
number of times. In a double round-robin tournament the participants play each other
exactly twice, once with white and once with black. A round robin tournament is commonly
used if the number of participants is relatively small.[300] See also Swiss tournament.
royal fork
A fork threatening the king and queen.[301]
royal piece
A king or queen.[81] In chess variants, the term refers to any piece that must be protected
from capture; under this definition, only the king is royal in orthodox chess.

S
S
[from German: Springer, "jumper"] Alternate notation for the knight. Used rather than K,
which means king.
sac
Short for sacrifice, usually used to describe a sacrifice for a mating attack.[300]
sacrifice
A move or capture that voluntarily gives up material in return for an advantage such as
space, development, or an attack. A sacrifice in the opening is called a gambit, especially
when applied to a pawn.[296]
SAN
An abbreviation for standard (or short) algebraic notation (e.g. 1.Nf3), as opposed to long
algebraic notation (e.g. 1.Ng1-f3).
sans voir
[from French] See blindfold chess.
scalp
To defeat a much higher-ranked player, especially a titled player.
Scholar's mate
A four-move checkmate (common among novices) in which White plays 1.e4, follows with
Qh5 (or Qf3) and Bc4, and finishes with 4.Qxf7#.[165]
score
Score has two distinct meanings in chess:
 The moves in a game are called the score, see
See game score.
A player's score in a match or tournament, which is
almost always 1 point for each win and ½ point for
each draw. See Chess scoring.
score sheet
The sheet of paper used to record a game in
progress. During formal games, it is usual for both
players to record the game using a score sheet. A
completed score sheet contains the game
score.[175]
sealed move
To prevent unfair advantage when an OTB game
is adjourned, the player whose turn it is to move is
Scholar's mate
required to write down their next move and put it in
a sealed envelope. Upon resumption, the arbiter
opens the sealed envelope, makes the move and
the game continues. The player may be disqualified if
the sealed move is illegal, ambiguous or unclear.
Adjournments and sealed moves are no longer
standard practice. See also Adjournment (games).
second
An assistant hired to help a player in preparation for
and during a major match or tournament. The second
assists in areas such as opening preparation. The
second also used to assist with adjournment analysis
before the practice of adjournments was largely
abandoned in the 1990s.[302]
second player
The expression "the second player" is sometimes used
to refer to Black.
seesaw
See windmill. A score sheet

Semi-Closed Game
An opening that begins with White playing 1.d4 and
Black replying with a move other than 1...d5.[303] Also called half-closed game.[304] See
also Open Game and Closed Game.
semi-open file
See half-open file.
Semi-Open Game
An opening that begins with White playing 1.e4 and Black replying with a move other than
1...e5.[303] Also called half-open game.[304] See also Open Game and Closed Game.
seventy-five-move rule
The game is drawn if no capture or pawn move has occurred in the last seventy-five
moves by either side, related to the fifty-move rule for looking at a series of moves without
capture or pawn move.[305]
sham sacrifice
An offer of material that is made at no risk, as acceptance would lead to the gain of equal
or greater material or checkmate. This is in contrast to a true sacrifice in which the
compensation is less tangible. Also called pseudo sacrifice.[306]
sharp
Risky, double-edged, highly tactical. Sharp can be used to describe moves, maneuvers,
positions, opening lines, and styles of play.[307]
shot
Slang for an unexpected or sharp move that typically makes a tactical threat or technical
challenge for the opponent.
silent move
A move that has a dynamic tactical effect on a position, but that does not capture or attack
an enemy piece.[308][309] See also quiet move.
simplification
A strategy of exchanging pieces, often with one of the following goals: as a defensive
measure to reduce the size of an attacking force, when having the advantage to reduce the
opponent's counterplay, to try to obtain a draw, or as an attempt to gain an advantage by
players who are strong in endgame play with simplified positions.[310] Also called
liquidation.
simultaneous chess
A form of chess in which one player plays against
several players simultaneously. It is usually an
exhibition.[311]
sitzfleisch
[from German, "sitting flesh"] The ability to sit still.[312]
skewer
An attack on a valuable piece, compelling it to move to
avoid capture and thus expose a less valuable piece A simultaneous exhibition
which can then be taken.[313] See also X-ray.
skittles
A casual or "pickup" game, usually played without a chess clock. At chess tournaments, a
skittles room is where one goes to play for fun while waiting for the next formal game.[311]
slow
Describes a strategy that requires too many tempi to complete, allowing the opponent time
to consolidate.
smothered mate
A checkmate delivered by a knight in which the mated king is unable to escape because it
is surrounded (or smothered) by its own pieces.[314]
Sofia rules
In the tournament played by Sofia rules, players are not allowed to draw by agreement.
They could have draws by stalemate, threefold repetition, fifty-move rule, or insufficient
material. Other draws are allowed only if the arbiter declares the game reached a drawn
position.[315]
solid
An adjective used to describe a move, opening, or manner of play that is characterized by
minimal risk-taking and emphasis on quiet positional play rather than wild tactics.
sortie
A queen development in front of its own pawns, often early in the opening, usually for the
purpose of exploiting an advantage in space or punishing an error by the opponent. So
called because the queen is usually developed behind its own pawns for its protection.
sound
A correct move or plan. A sound sacrifice has sufficient compensation, a sound opening or
variation has no known refutation, and a sound puzzle or composition has no known
 cooks.[296] Antonym: unsound.
space
The squares controlled by a player. A player controlling more squares than the other is
said to have a spatial advantage.[296]
Spanish bishop a b c d e f g h
A white king bishop developed to b5. This is 8 8
characteristic of the Ruy Lopez, also known as the
7 7
Spanish Opening.
6 6
speed chess
See blitz chess. 5 5
4 4
spite check
A harmless check given by a player who is about to 3 3
lose the game, that serves no purpose other than to 2 2
momentarily delay the defeat. [316]
1 1
squeeze a b c d e f g h
Making pawn moves that limit mobility, freedom and The Spanish bishop on b5 in the
options for the opponent, typically causing a Ruy Lopez.
zugzwang.[317]
stalemate
A position in which the player whose turn it is to move has no legal move and their king is
not in check. A stalemate results in an immediate draw.[77]
starting square
A piece's starting square is the square it occupies at the beginning of the game.
Staunton chess set
The standard design of chess pieces, required for use
in competition.[318]
stem game
A stem game is the chess game featuring the first use
of a particular opening variation. Sometimes, the player Staunton chessmen
or the venue of the stem game is then used to refer to
that opening.
strategic crush
Win characterised by gradual accumulation of advantages and complete prevention of
counterplay.
strategy
The basis of a player's moves. The evaluation of positions and ways to achieve goals.
Strategy is often contrasted with tactics, which are the calculations of more immediate
plans and combinations.[319]
strong
A forceful or good move, a position having good winning chances, a highly rated player or
one successful in tournaments, or a tournament having a sizable number of strong players
competing, such as grandmasters. A "strong showing" refers to a player's high win ratio in
a tournament. Antonym: weak, e.g. a weak square.
stronger side
The side with a material or positional advantage.[320]
strongpoint
1. A "strongpoint defense" means an opening that defends and retains a central pawn
(White: e4 or d4; Black: e5 or d5), as opposed to exchanging the pawn and relinquishing
occupation of that central square.
 2. More generically, a strongpoint can be any square heavily defended.
strong square
A square on a player's 4th or greater rank on which the player can post a piece that cannot
or will not be driven away by enemy pawns.[321] Cf. weak square.
sudden death
The most straightforward time control for a chess game: each player has a fixed amount of
time available to make all moves. See also fast chess.
support point
A square that cannot be attacked by a pawn, and that can be occupied as a home base for
a piece, usually a knight.[319]
swap
See exchange.
swindle
A ruse or trick played from a position that is inferior.[319]
Swiss tournament
A system used in tournaments to determine pairings. In every round each player is paired
with an opponent with the same or similar score.[322] See also round-robin tournament.
symmetry Example of symmetry
A symmetrical position on the chessboard means the
a b c d e f g h
positions of one's pieces are exactly mirrored by the
8 8
opponent's pieces. This most often occurs when Black
mimics White's opening moves. Black is said to break 7 7
symmetry when making a move that no longer imitates 6 6
White's move.[319] 5 5
system 4 4
See opening system. 3 3
2 2
T 1 1
a b c d e f g h
tabia 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.exd5 exd5 4.Bd3
[from Arabic: ‫ ﻃﺒﻴﻌﺔ‬ṭabīʕa, "essence"] Also tabiya. In Bd6 5.Nf3 Nf6 6.0-0 0-0 7.Bg5 Bg4
chess openings a tabia is a key point. It may be a well- 8.Re1 Nbd7 9.Nbd2 c6 10.c3 Qc7
known "point of departure" where variations branch off, 11.Qc2 Rfe8 12.Bh4 Bh5 13.Bg3
it may be a position that is reached so often that the Bxg3 14.hxg3 Bg6 15.Rxe8+ Rxe8
real game begins after this initial series of book 16.Bxg6 hxg6 17.Re1 (diagram).
moves.[324][325] Capablanca–Maróczy, 1926.[323]
tablebase The game continued 17...Rxe1+
See endgame tablebase. 18.Nxe1 Ne8 19.Nd3 Nd6 20.Qb3
a6 21.Kf1 ½–½
tactician
A player who specializes in tactical play, as
distinguished from a positional player.
tactics
Combinations, traps, and threats. Play characterized by short-term attacks, requiring
calculation by the players, as distinguished from positional play.[319]
takeback
Used in casual games whereby both players agree to undo one or more moves.
tall pawn
(colloquial) An ineffective bishop, usually a bad bishop hemmed in by its own pawns.
Tarrasch rule
The general principle that rooks usually should be placed behind passed pawns, either
one's own or one's opponent's. Named after Siegbert Tarrasch.[326]
TD
An abbreviation for tournament director.[322]
technique
The manner in which a player converts an advantageous position into a win.
tempo
A unit of time considered as one move. A player may gain a tempo in the opening when
the opponent moves the same piece twice. In the endgame, one may wish to lose a tempo
by triangulation in order to gain the opposition.[319] Plural: tempos or tempi.
tension a b c d e f g h
A position in which there are one or more exchanges 8 8
possible, such as a pair of pawns facing each other on
7 7
a diagonal where either can capture the other, is said to
contain tension. Such a situation differs from a threat in 6 6
that it does not need to be immediately resolved – for 5 5
example, if both pawns are defended. The 4 4
consequences of resolving the tension must be
3 3
constantly considered by both players, in case there is
a possibility of winning or losing material. This makes 2 2
calculating the best move more complicated, and so 1 1
there is a natural temptation to release the tension by a b c d e f g h
making a like-for-like exchange (see simplification) or This Scotch Opening position
by moving the attacked piece. To keep the tension is to contains tension due to the knights
avoid resolving it, which is sometimes good advice on c6 and d4. Both knights are
depending on the position. currently adequately defended, so
text move neither player is forced to release
This term is used in written analysis of chess games to the tension.
refer to a move actually played in the game as opposed
to other possible moves. Often shortened to text, for
example "The text is inferior as it allows ...f5." Text moves are usually in bold whereas
analysis moves are not.
thematic
Suited to the demands of the position. The term "thematic move" is often applied to the key
move of a thematic plan.[327]
theme tournament
A chess tournament in which every game must begin with a particular opening specified
by the organizers, for example the Budapest Gambit (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e5).
theoretical draw
See book draw.
theoretical novelty
A move in the opening that has not been played before.[328] Abbr. TN or N.
threat
A plan or move that carries an intention to damage the opponent's position. A threat is a
tactical weapon that must be defended against.[329]
threefold repetition
A draw may be claimed if the same position occurs three times with the same player to
move; and with each player having the choice of the same set of moves each time,
 including the right to capture en passant and the right to castle.[330] For the same position
occurring five times, see fivefold repetition.
tiebreaks
See Tie-breaking in Swiss-system tournaments. This refers to a number of different
systems that are used to break ties, and thus designate a single winner, where multiple
players or teams tie for the same place in a Swiss system chess tournament.
time
1. In chess "time" refers to the amount of time each player has to think and calculate as
measured by a chess clock.
2. The number of moves to complete an objective; for example, if a king is racing to stop a
pawn from queening, and the king has too few moves, that may be referred to as "not
enough time".[319] See also tempo.
time control
The allowed time to play a game, usually measured by a chess clock. A time control can
require either a certain number of moves be made per time period (e.g. 40 moves in 21⁄2
hours) or it can limit the length of the entire game (e.g. five minutes per game for blitz).
Hybrid schemes are used, and time delay controls have become popular since the
widespread use of digital clocks.[87]
time delay
A time control that makes it possible for a player to avoid having an ever-decreasing
amount of time remaining (as is the case with sudden death). The most important time
delays in chess are Bronstein delay and Fischer delay.
time pressure
Also called time trouble. Having very little time on one's clock (especially less than five
minutes) to complete one's remaining moves. See time control.
TN
An abbreviation for theoretical novelty.
top board
See first board.
touched piece rule
Also called touch-move rule. The rule that requires a player who touches a piece to move
that piece unless the piece has no legal moves. If a player moves a piece to a particular
square and takes their hand off it, the move must be to that square if it is a legal move.
Castling must be initiated by moving the king first, so a player who touches their rook may
be required to move the rook, without castling. The rule also requires a player who
touches an opponent's piece to capture it if possible. In order to adjust the position of a
piece within its square without being required to move it, the player should say "J'adoube"
or "I adjust".[329]
tournament
A competition involving more than two players
or teams, generally played at a single venue (or
series of venues) in a relatively short period of
time. A tournament is divided into rounds, with
each round consisting either of individual games
or matches in the case of knockout tournaments
and team tournaments. The assignment of
opponents is called pairing, with the most
popular systems being round-robin and Swiss.
A tournament is usually referred to by the city in
which it was played and the year, such as Tata Steel Tournament 2013
"London 1851", although there are well-known
exceptions, such as "AVRO 1938".
tournament book
A book recording the scores of all the games in a tournament, usually with analysis of the
best or most important games and some background on the event and its participants. One
well-known example is Bronstein's Zurich International Chess Tournament 1953. The less
comprehensive tournament bulletin is usually issued between the rounds of a
prestigious event, giving the players and world media an instant record of the games of the
previous round. Individual copies may be bundled together at the conclusion of the event
to provide an inexpensive alternative to the tournament book.[331]
tournament director
Organizer and arbiter of a tournament, responsible for enforcing the tournament rules and
the laws of chess. Abbr. TD. Also tournament controller [chiefly British].
tournament performance rating (TPR)
The performance rating over the course of a tournament.
trade
See exchange.
transposition
Arriving at a position using a different sequence of moves.[155]
trap a b c d e f g h
A move that may tempt the opponent to play a losing
8 8
move.[332] See also swindle and List of chess traps.
7 7
trébuchet
6 6
A theoretical position of mutual zugzwang in which
either player would lose if it were their turn to 5 5

move.[333] (from French, a type of siege engine) 4 4

3 3
triangulation
A technique used in king and pawn endgames (less 2 2
commonly seen with other pieces) to lose a tempo and 1 1
gain the opposition.[334] a b c d e f g h
tripled pawns With 4...Nbd7 Black sets a trap in
Three pawns of the same color on the same file; the QGD (1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3
considered a weakness due to their inability to defend Nf6 4.Bg5). White cannot win the
each other.[335] pawn on d5 due to the Elephant
Trap.
Troitsky line
Also Troitzky line. Endgame analysis by Alexey
Troitsky of two knights versus a pawn found certain
pawn positions that result in win, draw or loss. The resulting pawn positions on each file
form what is known as the Troitsky line or Troitsky position.[336]
two bishops
A synonym for bishop pair.[337] Also called the two bishops.

U
undermining
A tactic (also known as removal of the guard) in which a defensive piece is captured,
leaving one of the opponent's pieces undefended or underdefended.[338]
underpromotion
Promoting a pawn to a rook, bishop, or knight instead of a queen. Rarely seen unless the
knight can deliver a crucial check, or when promotion to a rook or a bishop instead of a
queen is necessary to avoid stalemate.[235]
United States Chess Federation
This is a nonprofit organization, the governing chess a b c d e f g h
organization within the United States, and one of the 8 8
federations of the FIDE. Abbr. USCF. 7 7
unorthodox opening 6 6
See irregular opening. 5 5
unpinning 4 4
The act of breaking a pin by interposing a second 3 3
piece between the attacker and the target. This allows
2 2
the piece that was formerly pinned to move.
1 1
unsound a b c d e f g h
Antonym of sound.
Trébuchet, whoever has the move
USCF loses. 1.Kg4 Kxe4 2.Kg3 Ke3
An abbreviation for the United States Chess 3.Kg2 Ke2 4.Kg3 e4 5.Kf4 e3 6.Ke4
Federation. Kf2 and the black pawn will queen.

V
a b c d e f g h
vacating sacrifice 8 8
A sacrifice made for the purpose of clearing a square 7 7
for a different piece of the same color. 6 6
valve 5 5
A move that opens one line and closes another.
4 4
vanished center 3 3
Or vanished centre. A position with no white or black
2 2
center pawns.[339]
1 1
variant a b c d e f g h
See chess variant.
White to move should
variation underpromote the c7-pawn to a
1. A sequence of moves or an alternative line of play, rook; promoting to a queen gives
often applied to the opening. A variation does not have stalemate.
to have been played in a game, it may also be a
possibility that occurs only in analysis.[332] Also called
continuation.
2. The word Variation is also used to name specific sequences of moves within an
opening. For an example, the Dragon Variation is part of the Sicilian Defence.[82]
vertical line
See file.

W
waiting move
A move that makes no threats except that it puts the obligation to move on the opponent. A
waiting move is effective when the opponent has nothing but bad moves available (i.e. is
in zugzwang).[340]
WCC
An abbreviation for the World Chess Championship.[341]
WCM
An abbreviation for the Woman Candidate Master title.
weakness
A pawn or square that can be attacked and is hard to defend.[342]
weak square
A square that cannot be easily defended from attack by an opponent. Often a weak square
is unable to be defended by pawns (a hole) and can be theoretically occupied by a piece.
Exchange or loss of a bishop may make all squares of that bishop's color weak resulting in
a "weak square complex" on the light squares or the dark squares.[343]
WFM
An abbreviation for the Woman FIDE Master title.[344]
WGM
An abbreviation for the Woman Grandmaster title.[344]
white
The light-colored squares on the chessboard are often referred to as "the white squares"
even though they often are some other light color. Similarly, "the white pieces" are
sometimes actually some other (usually light) color.[35] See also black.
White
The designation for the player who moves first, even though the corresponding pieces,
referred to as "the white pieces", are sometimes actually some other (usually light) color.
See also Black and first-move advantage.
WIM
An abbreviation for the Woman International Master title.[345]
win
A victory for one of the two players in a game, which may occur due to checkmate,
resignation by the other player, the other player exceeding the time control, or the other
player being forfeited by the tournament director. Chess being a zero-sum game, this
results in a loss for the other player. In a tournament a bye may be scored as a win.[346]
See winning position.
windmill
A combination in which two pieces work together to deliver an alternating series of checks
and discovered checks in such a way that the opposing king is required to move on each
turn. It is a potent technique, since, on every other move, the discovered check may allow
the non-checking piece to capture an enemy piece without losing a tempo. The most
famous example is Torre–Lasker, Moscow 1925.[347] Also called seesaw.
wing
The queenside a-, b-, and c-files; or the kingside f-, g-, and h-files.[348] Also called flank.
Wing Gambit
The name given to variations of several openings in which one player gambits a wing
pawn, usually the b-pawn.[349]
winning percentage
A number calculated by adding together the number of games won and half of the number
of games drawn, (ignoring the losses) then dividing that total by the total number of games
that were played. Another way of calculating the winning percentage is by taking the
percentage of games won by a player plus half the percentage of drawn games. Thus, if
out of 100 games a player wins 40 percent, draws 32 percent, and loses 28 percent, the
winning percentage is 40 plus half of 32, i.e. 56 percent.[350]
winning position
A position is said to be a winning one if one specified side, with correct play, can
eventually force a checkmate against any defense (i.e. perfect defense).[351] Also called
won game.
Woman Candidate Master
A women-only chess title ranking below Woman FIDE Master.[60] Abbr. WCM.
Woman FIDE Master
A women-only chess title ranking below Woman International Master.[344] Abbr. WFM.
Woman Grandmaster
The highest ranking gender-restricted chess title except for Women's World
Champion.[344] Abbr. WGM.
Woman International Master
A women-only chess title ranking below Woman Grandmaster and above Woman FIDE
Master.[344] Abbr. WIM.
won game
See winning position.
wood
Slang for pieces. "A lot of wood came off the board" conveys that several piece exchanges
occurred.[86]
woodpusher
A weak chess player, also referred to as a patzer or duffer. Colloquial, typically
derogatory.[352]
World Champion
A winner of the World Chess Championship.[341]
wrong-colored bishop
See wrong rook pawn.[353]
wrong rook pawn
With a bishop, a rook pawn may be the wrong rook pawn, depending on whether or not the
bishop controls its promotion square.[354]
a b c d e f g h
8 8
7 7
6 6
5 5
4 4
3 3
2 2
1 1
a b c d e f g h
A wrong rook pawn at a5 with a
wrong-colored bishop. In this
position, White cannot force
promotion and Black can force a
draw.

X
X-ray
When the power of a piece, either to attack or to defend, seems to pass through an
intervening enemy piece. The X-ray attack, also known as a skewer, involves two pieces
 of the same color both caught in the same line of attack
along a diagonal, rank, or file. The attacking piece a b c d e f g h
forces the first and more valuable piece to move out of 8 8
the way, which allows the second piece to be captured. 7 7
As a defensive tactic the X-ray occurs when one piece 6 6
is defended by another piece, through an attacking
5 5
enemy piece standing between the two.[355]
4 4
3 3
Z 2 2
1 1
zeitnot
a b c d e f g h
[from German, "time need"] Having very little time on
the clock to complete the remaining moves of a timed An example of an X-ray defense:
The white queen has just put the
game.[356] Synonyms: time pressure and time trouble.
king in check, and the white rook
Zonal tournaments provides an X-ray defense of the
Tournaments organised by FIDE, the first qualifying white queen.
cycle of the World Chess Championship. Each zonal
tournament features top players of a certain
geographical zone. Up until 1993 the winners went on to Interzonal tournaments. This was
replaced by a system where the winners now play each other in knockout-style
competitions to determine who goes on to the Candidates Tournament.[357]
zugzwang
[from German, "compulsion to move"] When a player is put at a disadvantage by having to
make a move; where any legal move weakens the position. Zugzwang usually occurs in
the endgame, and rarely in the middlegame.[358]
zwischenschach
[from German, "in-between check"] Playing a surprising check that the opponent did not
consider when plotting a sequence of moves; a zwischenzug that is a check.[359]
zwischenzug
[from German, "in-between move"] An "inbetween" move, or an intermezzo, played before
an expected reply. Often, but not always, this involves responding to a threat by posing an
even greater threat, forcing the opponent to respond to the threat first.[360]

Notes
1. Wilkinson 2008, p. 128
2. Seirawan & Silman 1994, p. 237
3. United States Chess Federation, p. 72
4. United States Chess Federation 2003, pp. 84, 282
5. Staunton 2014, p. 59
6. Pandolfini 1996, pp. 22–23
7. van de Oudeweetering 2014, p. 25
8. Hochberg 2005, p. 14
9. Brace 1977, p. 17
10. Hooper & Whyld 1996, p. 13
11. Pandolfini 1996, p. 28
12. Brace 1977, p. 22
13. Hooper & Whyld 1996, p. 18
14. Hoffman 1996, p. 12
15. Renaud & Kahn 1962, p. 182
16. "Chess grandmasters on track for possible 'Armageddon' at world championship" (https://ww
w.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2016/11/26/chess-grandmasters-on-track-for-pos
sible-armageddon-at-world-championship/) Payne, Marissa. Washington Post. 26
November 2016.
17. Kaufmann 2014, p. 151
18. Seirawan & Silman 1994, p. 238
19. Pandolfini 1996, p. 34
20. Staunton 2009, p. 57
21. Fischer, Margulies, & Mosenfelder 1982, p. 103
22. Silman 1998, p. 236
23. Grooten 2017, p. 199
24. Pritchard 2012, p. 75
25. "CHESS Magazine: Basque Chess – does it work for you?!" (http://en.chessbase.com/post/c
he-magazine-basque-che-does-it-work-for-you-). ChessBase. 29 February 2012.
26. Horton 1959, pp. 12–13; Brace 1977, p. 29; Hooper & Whyld 1996, p. 32
27. Harding 2015, p. 424
28. Hilbert 2013, p. 104
29. Pandolfini 1989, p. 233
30. Roycroft, 1981, p. 346
31. Soltis 2012, p. 11
32. Pandolfini 2013, p. 42
33. Staunton 2009, p. 3
34. Pandolfini 1996, p. 46
35. Staunton 2009, p. 1
36. Pandolfini 1996, p. 47
37. Hooper & Whyld 1996, p. 45
38. MacEnulty 2004, p. 129
39. Schiller 2003, p. 398
40. Kidder, Harvey (1970). Illustrated Chess for Children. Doubleday. ISBN 0-385-05764-4.
41. Chess: A Fortissimo Zuckertort? It's a Kevitz Blitzkrieg (https://www.nytimes.com/1964/12/0
7/archives/chess-a-fortissimo-zuckertort-its-a-kevitz-blitzkrieg.html), New York Times, Dec. 7,
1964
42. Nimzowitsch 1980, p. 5
43. Pandolfini 2013, p. 47
44. Seirawan & Silman 1994, p. 100
45. Schiller 2003, p. 299
46. Haworth, G. M. (2005) 6-man chess solved. ICGA Journal, 28 (3). p. 153. ISSN 1389-6911
47. Silman 1999, p. 428
48. Hooper & Whyld 1996, p. 53
49. "Botez Gambit - Chess Terms" (https://www.chess.com/terms/botez-gambit-chess).
50. "Speed and trash talk: Inside the 'new chess culture' and its online revival" (https://www.nbc
news.com/tech/video-games/fast-loose-culture-esports-upending-once-staid-world-chess-n1
137111). NBC News.
51. Silman 1999, p. 429
52. Pandolfini 1996, p. 55
53. Kasparov 2017, pp. 52–54
54. Pandolfini 1996, p. 56
55. Pandolfini 1992, p. 154
56. Pandolfini 2005, p. 162
57. de Firmian 1999, p. 3
58. Pandolfini 1996, p. 57
59. Judovitz & Duchamp 2010, p. 137
60. "B. Permanent Commissions / 01. International Title Regulations (Qualification Commission)
/ FIDE Title Regulations effective from 1 July 2017 / FIDE Handbook" (https://handbook.fide.
com/chapter/B01Regulations2017).
61. Johnson 2010, p. 12
62. Olafsson 2014, p. 32
63. Higgins, Andrew. "Masters of Chess, Not Self-Promotion". The New York Times. 30 March
2016
64. Souleidis 2017, p. 176
65. Staunton 1875, p. 384
66. Keene 1989, p. 178
67. Staunton 2014, p. 55
68. "Chess Corner - Chess Tutorial - Castling" (http://www.chesscorner.com/tutorial/basic/castlin
g/castle.htm).
69. Pandolfini 1989, p. 64
70. Hooper & Whyld 1996, p. 426
71. Seirawan & Silman 1994, p. 239
72. Hooper & Whyld 1996, p. 72
73. Silman 1999, p. 430
74. Hooper & Whyld 1996, p. 102
75. Snyder 2007, p. 22
76. Staunton 2014, p. 48
77. Staunton 2014, p. 53
78. Hooper & Whyld 1996, p. 210
79. Staunton 2014, p. 30
80. Pandolfini 1996, p. 66
81. Staunton 2009, pp. 2–7
82. Hochberg 2005, p. 13
83. "FIDE Laws of Chess taking effect from 1 January 2018" (https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/
E012018). FIDE. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
84. See section "II.3 Chess960 castling rules" under "Guidelines" in the FIDE Laws of Chess[83]
85. Gligorić 2002, p. 40
86. Shibut 2012, p. 68
87. United States Chess Federation 2003, p. 8
88. Hertan 2014, p. 373
89. Lawson 1992, pp. 25–26
90. Pandolfini 1992, p. 181
91. Seirawan & Silman 1994, p. 42
92. Pandolfini 1996, p. 70
93. de Firmian 1999, p. 389
94. Avni 2014, pp. 35–37
 95. Pandolfini 1996, p. 72
96. Rasskin-Gutman 2009, p. 99
97. Hertan 2014, p. 7
98. Pandolfini 1989, p. 223
99. Pandolfini 1996, p. 76
100. Borders 2007, p. 102
101. Seirawan & Silman 1994, pp. 44, 149
102. Hochberg 2005, p. 20
103. Dunne 1991, p. 1
104. Dvoretsky 2006, p. 15
105. Pandolfini 2005, p. 125
106. Pandolfini 1996, p. 78
107. Silman 1999, p. 431
108. Hooper & Whyld 1996, p. 96
109. Pandolfini 1996, p. 79
110. Pandolfini 1996, p. 81
111. Lawson 1992, pp. 31–32, 53
112. Webb 2006, p. 49
113. Article 5.2.2 in FIDE Laws of Chess[83]
114. Seirawan & Silman 1994, p. 240
115. Pandolfini 1988, p. 274
116. Pandolfini 2005, p. 64
117. Wilson 1994, p. 60
118. Hooper & Whyld 1992, p. 106. Pandolfini 1996, p. 89
119. Staunton 2014, p. 56
120. Staunton 2014, p. 50
121. Hooper & Whyld (1992), p. 111
122. Staunton 2014, p. 51
123. Pandolfini 2013, p. 75
124. Pandolfini 1996, p. 96
125. Grooten 2017, p. 289
126. Soltis 2002, p. 146
127. Desjarlais 2011, p. 99
128. Edwards 2007, p. 258
129. Capablanca 2002, p. 79
130. Schiller 2003, p. 376
131. Suba 2014, p. 104
132. Nimzowitsch 2016, p. 281
133. Silman 1998, p. 10
134. Pandolfini 2009, p. 301
135. Seirawan & Silman 1994, p. 241
136. Moore & Mertens 2011, p. 14
137. Alburt & Parr 2003, pp. 22–23
138. Brace 1977
139. New Oxford American Dictionary
140. Staunton 2014, p. 57
141. "En prise (Chess Term)" by Edward Winter (http://www.chesshistory.com/winter/extra/enpris
e.html)
142. Pandolfini 1996, p. 102
143. Wilson 1994, p. 55
144. David 2016, pp. 88–96
145. ChessMN16. "How to Read Engine Evaluations". Chess.com. April 29, 2015
146. Newborn 2013, pp. 1–14
147. Golombek 1977, p. 113, and Silman 1999, p. 432, define an exchange to always be of equal
value, but most writers do not: Horton 1952, p. 63; Brace 1977, p. 97; Hooper & Whyld 1996,
p. 130; Seirawan & Silman 1994, p. 188.
148. Schiller 2003, p. 113
149. Soltis 2002, p. 102
150. Lawrence & Alburt 2010, p. 88
151. Pandolfini 1992, pp. 56, 94, 118
152. Pawlak, Robert. "Your Computer as Opponent, Coach, and Training Assistant". Chess Life,
Vol. 56, issue 11. November 2001. pp. 22–25.
153. Pandolfini 1989, p. 225
154. Soltis 2002, p. 71
155. Silman 1999, p. 433
156. FICGS correspondence chess titles (http://www.ficgs.com/membership.html#titles)
157. Pandolfini 1996, p. 108
158. Ashley 2007, p. 232
159. Pandolfini 1988, p. 16
160. Byrne, Robert. "Pastimes; Chess". (https://www.nytimes.com/1990/11/04/style/pastimes-che
ss.html) The New York Times. 4 November 1990
161. Olafsson 2014, p. 80
162. Article 9.6.1 in FIDE Laws of Chess[83]
163. Seirawan & Silman 1994, p. 189
164. Pandolfini 1992, p. 234
165. Staunton 2014, p. 58
166. Pandolfini 1988, p. 47
167. Hendriks 2014, pp. 161–62
168. United States Chess Federation 2003, pp. xxvii, 29, 34, 64, 69
169. Brown 2012, p. 241
170. Moore 2015, p. 77
171. Soltis 2014, p. 31
172. Ashley, Maurice (2009). The Most Valuable Skills in Chess. Gambit. pp. 15–16.
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173. Hooper & Whyld 1996, p. 144
174. Hooper & Whyld 1996, p. 145
175. Pandolfini 1996, p. 134
176. Murray 2012, pp. 390–91
177. Ashley 2007, p. 233
178. Kvanvig 2008, p. 229
179. Schiller 2003, p. 165
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181. Clarke 1963, p. 1
182. Seirawan & Silman 1994, p. 242
183. Barden 2017
184. Cranston 2017, p. 1
185. Lombardy & Daniels 1977, pp. 10, 11
186. Znosko-Borovsky 2012, p. 39
187. Pandolfini 2005, p. 69
188. "London m4 Games" (https://www.365chess.com/tournaments/London_m4_1846/29141).
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189. Hertan 2013, p. 109
190. Nimzowitsch 2016, p. 466
191. Timman 2014, p. 71
192. Lee 2016, p. 158
193. Hooper & Whyld 1996, p. 178
194. Silman 1999, p. 435
195. Dunne 1991, p. 99
196. Pandolfini 1996, p. 124
197. Pandolfini 1996, p. 125
198. Lemos 2014, pp. 30–32
199. Pandolfini 1996, p. 126.
200. Pandolfini 1996, p. 128
201. Pandolfini 2009, p. 302
202. Schiller 2003, p. 91.
203. Pandolfini 1989, p. 227
204. Staunton 2014, p. 61
205. Hooper & Whyld 1996, p. 183
206. Pandolfini 1996, p. 136
207. "Kasparov vs. Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1999" (http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?g
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208. van de Oudeweetering 2014, p. 220
209. Petković 1997, pp. 50–55
210. Kotov 2012, p. 12
211. Hochberg 2005, p. 73
212. Pandolfini 1996, p. 146
213. Hooper & Whyld 1996, p. 226
214. Staunton 2009, p. 46
215. Pandolfini 1996, p. 147
216. Pandolfini 1996, p. 148
217. Euwe & Meiden 2013, p. 19
218. Pandolfini 1996, p. 150
219. Seirawan & Silman 1994, p. 243
220. Pandolfini 1996, p. 152
221. Pandolfini 1992, p. 109
222. Pandolfini 2009, p. 303
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224. Kmoch 2013, p. 143
225. Ashley 2007, p. 234
226. Pandolfini 2008, p. 351
227. Silman 1999, p. 436
228. Hartston 1997, p. 118
229. Waitzkin & Waitzkin 1995, p. 187
230. "Chandler Cornered · 200 Miniatures Games part 2" (http://www.chessedinburgh.co.uk/chan
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233. Keene 1989, p. 73
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237. Nimzowitsch 2014, p. 182
238. Hallman, 2013, p. 154
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250. Pandolfini 1996, p. 166
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305. Article 9.6.2 in FIDE Laws of Chess[83]
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ISBN 9781580234924
Giddins, Steve (2017), The New In Chess Book of Chess Improvement: Lessons From the
Best Players in the World's Leading Chess Magazine, New In Chess, ISBN 9789056916954
Golombek, Harry, ed. (1977), Golombek's Encyclopedia of Chess, Batsford, ISBN 0-517-
53146-1
Gligorić, Svetozar (2002), Shall We Play Fischerandom Chess?, B.T. Batsford Ltd, ISBN 0-
7134-8764-X
Goichberg, Bill; Jarecki, Carol; Riddle, Ira Lee (1993), U.S. Chess Federation's Official
Rules of Chess (https://archive.org/details/uschessfederatio0000unit), David McKay Chess
Library, ISBN 9780812922172
Grooten, Herman (2017), Chess Strategy for Club Players: The Road to Positional
Advantage, Siles Press, ISBN 9789056916947
Hallman, J.C. (2013), The Chess Artist: Genius, Obsession, and the World's Oldest Game,
Macmillan, ISBN 9781466852235
Harding, Tim (2015), Joseph Henry Blackburne: A Chess Biography, McFarland,
ISBN 9781476620282
Hartston, William (1997), Teach Yourself Better Chess, Hodder & Stoughton,
ISBN 9780844239330
Hendriks, Willy (2014), Move First, Think Later: Sense and Nonsense in Improving Your
Chess, New In Chess, ISBN 9789056915407
Hertan, Charles (2013), Power Chess for Kids: Learn How to Think Ahead and Become One
of the Best Players in Your School, New In Chess, ISBN 9789056914448
Hertan, Charles (2014), Forcing Chess Moves: The Key to Better Calculation, New In
Chess, ISBN 9789056914653
Hertan, Charles (2016), Start Playing Chess!: Learn the Rules of the Royal Game, New In
Chess, ISBN 9789056916879
Hilbert, John S. (2013), Emil Kemeny: A Life in Chess, McFarland, ISBN 9780786473595
Hochberg, Burt (2005), Outrageous Chess Problems, Sterling Publishing Company,
ISBN 9781402719097
Hoffman, Asa (1996), Chess Gladiator, International Chess Enterprises,
ISBN 9781879479319
Hooper, David; Whyld, Kenneth (1996) [first pub. 1992], The Oxford Companion to Chess
(second ed.), Oxford: Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-280049-3
Horton, Byrne Joseph (1959), Dictionary of modern chess, Owen, ISBN 0-8022-0746-4
Hurst, John (2007), Professional SlickEdit, John Wiley & Sons, ISBN 9780470251706
Johnson, Joel (2010), Formation Attacks, Lulu, ISBN 9780557522699
Judovitz, Dalia; Duchamp, Marcel (2010), Drawing on Art: Duchamp and Company,
University of Minnesota Press, ISBN 9780816665297
Kaan, Jef (2016), Better Chess Openings, Lulu, ISBN 9781326180775
Kasparov, Garry (2017), Deep Thinking: Where Machine Intelligence Ends and Human
Creativity Begins, PublicAffairs, ISBN 9781610397872
Kaufman, Larry (2014), Sabotage the Grunfeld!: A Cutting-edge Repertoire for White based
on 3.f3, New In Chess, ISBN 9789056915391
Keene, Raymond (1989), The Simon & Schuster Pocket Book of Chess, Simon and
Schuster, ISBN 9780671679248
Kmoch, Hans (2013), Pawn Power in Chess, Courier Corporation, ISBN 9780486319698
Komarov, Dimitri; Djuric, Stefan (2016), Chess Opening Essentials: 1.d4 d5 / 1.d4 Various /
Queen's Gambits, Microsoft Press, ISBN 9789056917289
Kotov, A. A. (2012), Think Like a Grandmaster, Pavilion Books, ISBN 9781849940535
Kvanvig, Jonathan (2008), Oxford Studies in Philosophy of Religion, Volume 1 =Oxford
University Press, ISBN 9780191562204
Lawrence, Al; Alburt, Lev (2010), Knack Chess for Everyone: A Step-by-Step Guide to
Rules, Moves & Winning Strategies, Rowman & Littlefield, ISBN 9780762762712
Lawson, Kristan (1992), The Rules of Speed Chess, Jolly Roger Press,
ISBN 9780963420572
Lee, Newton (2016), Google It: Total Information Awareness, Springer,
ISBN 9781493964154
Lemos, Damien (2014), Opening Repertoire: The Fianchetto System, Everyman Chess,
ISBN 9781781941621
Levitt, Gerald M. (2006), Turk, Chess Automation, McFarland & Company, ISBN 978-
0786429035
Lombardy, William; Daniels, David (1977). Chess Panorama (https://archive.org/details/ches
spanorama00lomb). Stein & Day. ISBN 0-8019-6078-9.
MacEnulty, David (2004), The Chess Kid's Book of Checkmate, Random House Puzzles &
Games, ISBN 9780812935943
Moore, Cristopher; Mertens, Stephan (2011), The Nature of Computation, Oxford University
Press, ISBN 9780199233212
Moore, Ethan (2015), How To Beat Anyone At Chess: The Best Chess Tips, Moves, and
Tactics, Simon and Schuster, ISBN 9781440592157
Murray, Harold James Ruthven (2012), A History of Chess, Skyhorse Publishing, ISBN 978-
1620870624
Newborn, Monty (2013), Deep Blue: An Artificial Intelligence Milestone, Springer Science &
Business Media, ISBN 9780387217901
Nimzowitsch, Aron (1980), Blockade, Chess Enterprises, ISBN 9781476739700
Nimzowitsch, Aron (2014), Aron Nimzowitsch 1928-1935: Annotated Games & Essays, New
In Chess, ISBN 9789056915162
Nimzowitsch, Aron (2016), My System & Chess Praxis: His Landmark Classics in One
Edition, New In Chess, ISBN 9789056916602
Nunn, John (1999). 101 Brilliant Chess Miniatures. Gambit Publications. ISBN 1-901983-16-
1.
Ólafsson, Helgi (2014), Bobby Fischer Comes Home: The Final Years in Iceland, a Saga of
Friendship and Lost Illusions, New In Chess, ISBN 9789056914363
Pandolfini, Bruce (1988), Pandolfini's Endgame Course: Basic Endgame Concepts
Explained, Simon and Schuster, ISBN 9780671656881
Pandolfini, Bruce (1989), Chess Openings: Traps And Zaps, Touchstone, ISBN 978-
0671656904
Pandolfini, Bruce (1992), Pandolfini's Chess Complete: The Most Comprehensive Guide to
the Game, from History to Strategy, Simon and Schuster, ISBN 9780671701864
Pandolfini, Bruce (1993), Beginning Chess: Over 300 Elementary Problems for Players New
to the Game (https://archive.org/details/beginningchess00pand), Simon and Schuster,
ISBN 9780671795016
Pandolfini, Bruce (1996), Chess Thinking: The Visual Dictionary of Chess Moves, Rules,
Strategies and Concepts (Fireside Chess Library), Everyman Chess, ISBN 1-85744-480-9
Pandolfini, Bruce (2005), The Q&A Way in Chess, Random House, ISBN 9780812936582
Pandolfini, Bruce (2008), Pandolfini's Ultimate Guide to Chess, Simon and Schuster,
ISBN 9780743260985
Pandolfini, Bruce (2009), Pandolfini's Endgame Course, Simon and Schuster,
ISBN 9780671656881
Pandolfini, Bruce (2013), Weapons of Chess: An Omnibus of Chess Strategies, Simon and
Schuster, ISBN 9781476739700
Petković, Miodrag (1997), Mathematics and Chess: 110 Entertaining Problems and
Solutions, Courier Corporation, ISBN 9780486294322
Pritchard, David (2012), The Right Way to Play Chess, Little, Brown Book Group,
ISBN 9780716023326
Rasskin-Gutman, Diego (2009), Chess Metaphors: Artificial Intelligence and the Human
Mind, MIT Press, ISBN 9780262182676
Reinfeld, Fred (2016), The Complete Chess Course, Russell Enterprises,
ISBN 9781941270240
Renaud, Georges; Kahn, Victor (2015), The Art of Checkmate, Batsford, ISBN 978-
1849942706
Roycroft, A. J. (1981), The Chess Endgame Study: A Comprehensive Introduction, Courier
Dover Publications, ISBN 9780486241869
Schiller, Eric (2003), Encyclopedia of Chess Wisdom, Simon and Schuster,
ISBN 9781580420884
Schiller, Eric (2009), World Champion Openings, Cardoza Publishing,
ISBN 9781580425612
Seirawan, Yasser; Silman, Jeremy (1994), Winning Chess Strategies: Proven Principles
from One of the U.S.A.'s Top Chess Players, Microsoft Press, ISBN 9781556156632
Shibut, Macon (2012), Paul Morphy and the Evolution of Chess Theory, Courier
Corporation, ISBN 9780486149875
Silman, Jeremy (1998), The Complete Book of Chess Strategy: Grandmaster Techniques
from A to Z, Siles Press, ISBN 9781890085018
Silman, Jeremy (1999), The Amateur's Mind: Turning Chess Misconceptions Into Chess
Mastery (https://archive.org/details/amateursmind00jere), Siles Press, ISBN 978-
1890085025
Silver, Nate (2012), The Signal and the Noise: Why So Many Predictions Fail-but Some
Don't, Penguin, ISBN 9781101595954
Snyder, Robert M. (2007), Winning Chess Traps: Opening Tactics for the Advanced
Beginner and Intermediate Player, iUniverse, ISBN 9780595453450
Soltis, Andrew (2002), Chess Lists, 2d ed., McFarland, ISBN 9780786412969
Soltis, Andrew (2012), What It Takes to Become a Chess Master, Pavilion Books,
ISBN 9781849940887
Soltis, Andrew (2013), The Wisest Things Ever Said About Chess, Pavilion Books,
ISBN 9781849941020
Soltis, Andrew (2013), 100 Chess Master Trade Secrets: From Sacrifices to Endgames,
Pavilion Books, ISBN 9781849941556
Soltis, Andrew (2014), New Art of Defence in Chess: chess defence tactics classic, Batsford,
ISBN 978-1849941600
Soltis, Andy (2019), "Out on a limb; What level of certainty do you need to confidently play a
move?", Chess Life, United States Chess Federation
Souleidis, Georgios (2017), Winning with the Slow (but Venomous!) Italian: An Easy-to-
Grasp Chess Opening for White, New In Chess, ISBN 9789056916756
Standage, Tom (2004), Mechanical Turk: The True Story of the Chess Playing Machine That
Fooled the World, Penguin USA, ISBN 978-0140299199
Staunton, Howard (1875), The Chess-Player's Companion: comprising a new Treatise on
Odds, and a Collection of Games, George Bell and Sons
Staunton, Howard (2009), Staunton's Chess-Player's Handbook, Siles Press,
ISBN 9784871878210
Staunton, Howard (2014), Chess: theory & practice; containing the laws & history of the
game, together with an analysis of the openings, & a treatise of end games, Nabu Press,
ISBN 978-1294776635
Steingass, Francis Joseph (1884), The Student's Arabic–English Dictionary, Crosby
Lockwood and Son
Suba, Mihai (2014), Dynamic Chess Strategy: Extended & Updated Edition, New In Chess,
ISBN 9789056914592
Tarrasch, Siegbert (2012), The Game of Chess, Courier Corporation, ISBN 9780486144559
Timman, Jan (2014), On The Attack: The Art of Attacking Chess According to the Modern
Masters, MIT Press, ISBN 9789056914905
United States Chess Federation (2003), United States Chess Federation's Official Rules of
Chess, Fifth Edition, Random House Puzzles & Games, ISBN 9780812935592
van de Oudeweetering, Arthur (2014), Improve Your Chess Pattern Recognition: Key Moves
and Motifs in the Middlegame, New In Chess, ISBN 9789056915421
van de Oudeweetering, Arthur (2016), Train Your Chess Pattern Recognition: More Key
Moves & Motives in the Middlegame, New In Chess, ISBN 9789056916145
Waitzkin, Josh; Waitzkin, Fred (1995), Attacking Chess: Aggressive Strategies and Inside
Moves from the U.S. Junior Chess Champion, Simon and Schuster, ISBN 9780684802503
 Watson, John L. (1998), Secrets of Modern Chess Strategy: Advances Since Nimzowitsch,
Gambit, ISBN 9781901983074
Webb, Simon (2006), Chess for Tigers, Batsford, ISBN 978-0713489880
Williams, Gareth (1997), Introduction to Chess: Learn to Play the World's Most Popular
Game of Skill, Barnes & Noble Books, ISBN 9780760705339
Wilkinson, Sinclair L. (2008), Chess!: A Fun Game to Learn and Play, Xlibris Corporation,
ISBN 9781453550397
Wilson, Fred (1994), 101 Questions on How to Play Chess (https://archive.org/details/101qu
estionsonho00wils), Dover Publications, ISBN 9780486282732
Wilson, Fred; Alberston, Bruce (2012), 303 Tricky Chess Puzzles, Cardoza Publishing,
ISBN 9781580425247
Young, Franklin Knowles; Howell, Edwin C. (1894), The Minor Tactics of Chess: A Treatise
on the Deployment of the Forces in Obedience to the Strategic Principle, Roberts brothers
Zelepukhin, N. P. (1982), Dictionary of Chess, French & European Pubns, ISBN 0-8288-
2350-2
Znosko-Borovsky, Eugene A. (2012), How Not to Play Chess, Courier Corporation,
ISBN 9780486158372
Znosko-Borovsky, Eugene A. (2012), How to Play the Chess Openings, Courier
Corporation, ISBN 9780486158396

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