In this post, I'll share with you the sixteen openings I'm most excited about playing in 2025. For the selection, I focused on systems that I haven't played relatively as often as shown in the databases, and also openings with several fresh i...
Hey everyone! Today, we're digging into one of the more talked-about current events in the chess world: The Magnus Carlsen Jeans Controversy. I know my blog typically focuses on other streamers and chess experiences, but with how many of y...
The beauty of a move lies not in its appearance but in the thought behind it. Aron Nimzowitsch. Welcome everybody, to a special year end review of the Top 5 Blitz 'n' Memes of 2024. If you're a fan of puzzles taken from amateur online blit...
Dear readers, welcome to my last blog in 2024! Phew, this was the first full year of "The Kiwi Hobbit's Blog" on Chess.com. I admit that, in January, I was not sure if I would be able to write two posts a month until the end, but I am lucky to h...
Are you dreaming of the day you'll finally go head-to-head with a titled chess player? Why wait for a tournament or a stroke of luck? With BoltChess, you don’t have to! Imagine the thrill of challenging Grandmasters, International Ma...
Afternoon everyone, and seasonal greetings to all. Yes, it's been a while. Been having major house renovation work done. . However, now all done and I can get at my library again! Before I forget, I have started posting games over on bluesky if ...
Upon reading that 18 year old Russian GM Murzin had become the World Rapid Champion, I recalled the Titled Tuesday game in which I lost to him after having a great position from the opening. The big problem for me - I was just banging out moves wi...
Hello there, welcome to the Lightning Reports! Wow y’all, it’s been a minute since you’ve heard from me... heh, sorry. Last you heard from me, I mentioned I’d be playing in the 2024 Alabama State Chess Championship… ...
Hi there! First of all, I want to wish you happy holidays! I hope you’re having a wonderful time with your family, enjoying great food, and making lasting memories. Before the year ends, I wanted to share a quick blog about blunders in c...
Welcome everybody, to a Christmas edition of Blitz 'n' Memes. If you're a fan of puzzles taken from amateur online blitz tournaments, then you have come to the right place, because that is what I do. As always, the tactics have been selected f...
Today is a Christmas present. Text about what we can gain by playing chess. This is also one of the examples of how I work sometimes. In this way, I created regulations in the Polish Chess Federation. And I wrote "Master Strategy" using a simi...
Happy Holidays, everyone! Welcome back to another OTB journey blog post. As many of you know, I concluded my Road to Master series earlier this year when I became a National Master in March. I needed some time off from the improvement journey si...
We are excited to announce the India College Chess Championship: Spring 2025 (ICCL), the second edition of Chess.com's exclusive tournament to our Indian members. The inaugural season of the ICCL was a huge success and saw an incredible turnout, w...
Jade Oldfield conducts research on how play-based interventions can reshape cognitive skills for the better, particularly for incarcerated adults and youth who have been involved with the justice system.In cooperation with the Chess for Life pr...
Dear chess lovers, just a moment to share something, in my free-association way! GM David Bronstein wrote a wonderful book called "200 Open Games". These are all games that start with 1.e4 e5. The book is very well organized, and ...
Happy holidays chess friends! For a few years now I've had an annual look back on my personal year in chess. These days, it's nearly always bullet and blitz, although I did at least play a couple of in-person blitz events this year. I even playe...
While I was working (as a chess journalist) at Equarius Hotel or the Convention Centre, the only not-for-work picture I wanted to take was with Ding Liren's second, GM Richard Rapport. I didn't try to take selfies with Ding, Gukesh, Anand, G...
While we often hear about gender inequality in the chess world, how exactly are individuals treated unequally? This guest blog post by Astrid Barbier and Veerle Draulans sheds light on those very specifics. Barbier and Draulans surveyed 709 mal...
During Game 13 of the World Championship match between Gukesh and Ding, I was watching the livestream on Chess24 where the commentators (both terrific) were GM Peter Leko and GM Daniel (Danya) Naroditsky. When Gukesh played 15.Nh5 (see diagram bel...
#friedliver #traxler Do you want to crush opponents who play the Fried Liver Attack? 🫵🤨 I know I do! 🤩 The fearsome Fried Liver Attack is commonly seen at beginner-intermediate level chess. In fact, when we examine the...
Interview with Susan Polgar Susan Polgar is a legend in the chess world. As a top player, coach, author, and creator of SPICE and the Susan Polgar Foundation, her intelligence, enthusiasmand love of the game have inspired millions. ...
Improving requires targeted strategies depending on your Chess.com rapid rating. Here’s how you can make steady progress: 0-1000: Focus on the BasicsAt this level, mastering the fundamentals is key. - Learn the Rules: Ensure you know ...
Last year's champions Chess Club Politika from Serbia will be top on Christmas Day after winning their latest match in the 2024-25 season of the World Chess League. They have several Grandmasters in their ranks so this is not unexpected, h...
Dear all, Welcome to the second episode of the “Duel of Nations” series. Those who have read the first article will know how it works, but as I like all my texts to be independent, I will briefly explain its structure again. The idea...
