Chess Facts

All You Need To Know About “Chess Personality”

The idea of a chess player having certain tendencies, or a “personality,” has been around since the beginning of chess. Adolf Anderssen, the winner of the first international chess tournament held in London in 1851, is described even in this...

Tags: Chess lifestyle, chess personality, chess players Posted by:

Daniel Schipper

Everything You Need To Know About Chess Ratings

The chess world ranks its players using a rating system known as Elo. It's a number that goes up and down as you play based on your results, and it helps to make sure you are playing players of a...

Tags: chess matches, chess players, chess ratings Posted by:

Daniel Schipper

Chess: Women vs. Men Is There a Difference?

There’s a serious imbalance in the numbers of male vs. female chess players. Only 11% of FIDE rated players are female, and the USCF is only slightly better at 13%. As you move into the upper ratings groups of chess,...

Tags: Chess Equipment, Chess lifestyle, chess players, women Posted by:

Rebecka Ratcliffe

4 Amazing Historical Chess Sets

Discover the fascinating stories behind four amazing historical chess sets in this captivating blog post. Learn about intricate designs, cultural significance, and the unique tales attached to each set. Perfect for chess enthusiasts and history buffs alike, and will help...

Tags: chess history, Chess Pieces, Chess sets Posted by:

Sukanya Mukherjee

How The US Chess Federation Chess Rating System Works

The USCF chess rating system tracks every rated game you play, measuring your skill against thousands of players nationwide. Whether you’re brand new or aiming for master level, this guide breaks down how ratings are calculated, adjusted, and used in...

Tags: chess players, chess rating, US Chess Posted by:

Sukanya Mukherjee

Everything You Need To Know About Chess Titles

Ever wonder why some players are titled and others aren’t? This guide explains chess titles from top to bottom — including women-only titles, national distinctions, and even those elusive online badges. Whether you're eyeing Grandmaster or just hit 2200, here's...

Tags: Chess Grandmaster, chess matches, chess players, chess titles Posted by:

Sukanya Mukherjee

How The Elo Chess Rating System Works

The Elo chess rating system is a useful way to determine how your performance compares to other chess players. You'll gain and lose Elo with every rated game. Here's an introduction to how the system works.

Tags: chess rating, ELO, FIDE, US Chess Posted by: biancagonzalez

Chess Grandmaster: Do You Have What It Takes?

Becoming a Grandmaster often takes years of study and dedication as well as managing the costs of attending tournaments. While professional chess players will have a natural aptitude for the game, they must also develop their abilities through years of...

Tags: Chess Grandmaster, chess matches, chess rating Posted by:

Shawn Bennett