This page explains commonly used terms in chess in alphabetical order. Chess is a recreational and competitive Game played between two players. Some of these have their own pages, like fork and pin. In Chess, a fork is a tactic that uses one piece to attack two or more of the opponent's pieces at the same time hoping to achieve material gain (by capturing In Chess, a pin is a situation brought on by an attacking piece in which a defending piece cannot move without exposing a more valuable defending piece on its other side to capture For a list of unorthodox chess pieces, see fairy chess piece; for a list of terms specific to chess problems, see chess problem terminology; for a list of chess related games, see chess variants. A fairy chess piece (often in shortened form fairy piece) or unorthodox chess piece (or in shortened form unorthodox piece) is a Chess piece A chess problem, also called a chess composition, is a puzzle set by somebody using Chess pieces on a Chess board that presents the solver with This is a list of terms used in Chess problems. For a list of unorthodox pieces used in chess problems see Fairy chess piece. A chess variant is a Game derived from related to or similar to Chess in at least one respect

Contents: Top - 0–9 A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Absolute pin

A pin against the king, called absolute because the pinned piece cannot legally move as it would expose the king to check. In Chess, a pin is a situation brought on by an attacking piece in which a defending piece cannot move without exposing a more valuable defending piece on its other side to capture In Chess, the King (♔ ♚ is the most important piece. The object of the game is to trap the opponent's king so that it would not be able to avoid capture In games such as Chess, Shogi, and Xiangqi, a check is an immediate threat to capture the king (or general in xiangqi See relative pin.

Active

Describes a piece that is able to move or control many squares. See also passive.

Adjournment

Main article: Adjournment#Chess

Suspension of a chess game with the intention to continue at a later occasion. Jørgen Bent Larsen (born March 4 1935, Thisted) is a Danish Chess Grandmaster. See Sealed move.

Adjudication

The process of a strong chess player deciding on the outcome of an unfinished game. This practice is now uncommon in over the board events, but does happen in online chess when one player refuses to continue after an adjournment.

Adjust or j'adoube

Main article: Touch-move rule

To adjust the position of a piece on its square without being required to move it. The touch-move rule is used in serious Chess play If a player intentionally touches a piece on the board when it is his term to move then he must Adjustment can only be done when it is the player's move and the adjustment is preceded by saying "I adjust" or "j'adoube".

Advanced pawn

A pawn that is on the opponent's side of the board (the fifth rank or higher). The pawn (♙♟ is the weakest and most numerous piece in the Game of Chess, representing Infantry 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 his mobility. An advanced passed pawn that threatens to promote can be especially strong. In Chess, a passed pawn is a pawn with no opposing pawns to prevent it from advancing to the eighth rank, i Promotion to various pieces Promotion to a queen is the most common in practical play since the queen is the most powerful piece

Alekhine's gun

Main article: Alekhine's gun

A formation in which a queen backs up two rooks on the same file. Alekhine's gun is a formation in Chess named after the former World Chess Champion, Alexander Alekhine.

Algebraic notation

Main article: algebraic chess notation

The standard way to record a chess game using alphanumeric codes for the squares. Algebraic chess notation is used to record and describe the moves in a game of Chess.

Amateur

A person who does not earn a living through chess. The distinction between professional and amateur is not very important in chess as amateurs may win prizes, accept appearance fees, and earn any title including World Champion. In the 19th century, "Amateur" was sometimes used in published game scores to conceal the name of the losing player in a Master vs. Amateur contest. It was thought to be impolite to use a player's name without permission, and the professional did not want to risk losing a customer.

Analysis

Breaking a position into iterations or most likely moves.

Annotation

Commentary on a game using a combination of written comments, chess symbols or notation. When annotating Chess games commentators frequently use Question marks and Exclamation points to denote a move as bad or good

Antipositional

A move or a plan that is not in accordance with the principles of positional play. Antipositional is used to describe moves that are part of an incorrect plan rather than a mistake made when trying to follow a correct plan. Antipositional moves are often pawn moves, since pawns cannot move backwards to return to squares they have left.

Arbiter

A tournament official who arbitrates disputes and performs other duties such as keeping the score when players are under time pressure. See International Arbiter. In Chess, International Arbiter is a title awarded by FIDE to individuals deemed capable of acting as arbiter in important chess matches (the arbiters are responsible

Armageddon

A game which White must win to win the match, but which Black only needs to draw to win the match. White has more time than black: the discrepancy can vary, but in FIDE World Championships, White has six minutes, while Black only has five. Typically used in playoff tie-breakers where shorter blitz games have not resolved the tie.

Artificial castling

Main article: Artificial castling

Refers to a manoeuvre of several single moves by the king and a rook where they end up as if they had castled. In Chess, artificial castling, also known as castling by hand, refers to a maneuver in which a king who has lost the right to castle does

Attack

An aggressive move or strategy. See defence.

Automaton

Main article: Automaton

A self-operating chess-playing machine. This article is about a self-operating machine For other uses of Automaton see Automaton (disambiguation or Automata (disambiguation. Popular attractions in the 18th and 19th centuries, most of these devices were hoaxes under the control of a human player. The most famous chess-playing automaton was The Turk. The Turk or Automaton Chess Player was a Chess -playing machine constructed in the late 18th century and exhibited from 1770 for over 84 years by various

B

B

Symbol used for the bishop when recording chess moves in English. A bishop (♗♝ is a piece in the Board game of Chess. Each player begins the game with two bishops

Back rank

A player's first rank (the one on which the pieces stand in the initial array); White's back rank is Black's eighth rank and vice versa.

Back rank mate

Main article: Back rank mate

A checkmate delivered by a rook or queen along a back rank in which the mated king is unable to move up the board because the king is blocked by friendly pieces (usually pawns) on the second rank. In Chess, a back rank checkmate is a Checkmate delivered by a rook or queen along a back rank (that is the row on which the pieces

Backward pawn

Main article: Backward pawn

A pawn that is behind the pawns of the same color on the adjacent files and that cannot be advanced with the support of another pawn. In Chess, a backward pawn is a pawn that is behind the pawns of the same color on the adjacent files and that cannot be advanced without loss of material

Bad bishop

A bishop which is hemmed in by the player's own pawns.

Battery

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 will be delivered. The term is also used in cases where moving the middle piece will uncover a threat along the opened line other than a check.

BCF

British Chess Federation, the former name of the English Chess Federation. The English Chess Federation (ECF is the governing Chess organisation in England and is one of the federations of the FIDE. See ECF.

BCO

An abbreviation sometimes used for the chess opening reference Batsford's Chess Openings. In Chess the word " opening " has two common meanings both of which are discussed in this article The second edition is often called BCO-2. Cf. ECO and MCO. The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings ( ECO) is a classification system for the opening moves in a game of chess Modern Chess Openings (usually called MCO) is an important book of Chess openings first published in 1911 by the British players Richard

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. The Maróczy Bind is a pawn formation in Chess, named after Géza Maróczy and primarily but not exclusively played against the Sicilian Defence See also Squeeze.

Bishop

see bishop

Bishops on opposite colors

A situation in which one side has only its light-squared bishop remaining while the other has only its dark-squared bishop remaining. A bishop (♗♝ is a piece in the Board game of Chess. Each player begins the game with two bishops In endgames, this often results in a draw if there are no other pieces (only pawns), even if one side has one or two pawns extra, since the bishops control different squares (see opposite colored bishops endgame). Drawing tendency In endings with opposite-colored bishops a material advantage is less important than in most endgames and position is more important 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.

Bishop pair

In open positions, two bishops are considered to have an advantage over two knights or a knight and a bishop. (In closed positions knights may be more valuable than bishops. ) The player with two bishops is said to have the bishop pair.

Bishop pawn

A pawn on the bishop's file, i. e. the c-file or f-file.

Black

Main article: White and Black in chess

The designation for the player who moves second, even though the corresponding pieces, referred to as "the black pieces," are sometimes actually some other (usually dark) color. In Chess, the player who moves first is referred to as "White" and the player who moves second is referred to as "Black Chess pieces vary in both value and abilities A standard chess match consists of each player having the following equipment 1 king Similarly, the dark-colored squares on the chessboard are often referred to as "the black squares" even though they often are not literally black. A chessboard is the type of Checkerboard used in the Game of Chess, and consists of 64 squares (eight rows and eight columns arranged in two alternating See also White, First move advantage in chess. This page explains commonly used terms in Chess in alphabetical order The first-move advantage in chess refers to the inherent advantage of the player (called White) who makes the first move in Chess.

Blindfold chess

Main article: Blindfold chess

A form of chess in which one or both players are not allowed to see the board. Blindfold chess is a way to play Chess, whereby play is conducted without the players having sight of the positions of the pieces or any physical contact with them

Blitz chess

Main article: Fast chess

A fast form of chess (Blitz being German for lightning) with a very small time limit, usually 3 or 5 minutes per player for the entire game. Fast chess, also known as blitz chess, lightning chess, bullet chess and rapid chess, is a type of Chess game in which each side is With the advent of electronic chess clocks, it is often the case that the time remaining is incremented by 1 or 2 seconds per move. A game clock consists of two adjacent Clocks and buttons to stop one clock while starting the other such that the two component clocks never run simultaneously

Blunder

Main article: Blunder (chess)

A very bad move, an oversight (indicated by "??" in notation). In Chess, a blunder is a very bad move which is quickly recognised as a very bad move by the player who made it typically before or directly after his opponent has made When annotating Chess games commentators frequently use Question marks and Exclamation points to denote a move as bad or good

Board

See chessboard.

Blockade

A strategic placement of a minor piece directly in front of an enemy pawn, where it restrains the pawn's advance and gains shelter from attack. Blockading pieces are often overprotected.

Book draw

An endgame position known to be a draw with perfect play. In Chess, a draw is one of the possible outcomes of a game the others being a win for white and a win for black A two player Game can be " solved " on several levels; Ultra-weak In the weakest sense solving a game means proving whether the first player will win The name reflects that traditionally the analysis has been found in the chess endgame literature, but in simplified positions (currently six pieces or fewer) computer analysis in an endgame tablebase can be used. Chess endgame literature refers to books and magazines about Chess endgames. An endgame tablebase is a computerized Database of all Chess positions within certain endgames The tablebase reveals the game-theoretical value

Book move

An opening move found in the standard reference books 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).

Book win

An endgame position known to be a win with perfect play. A two player Game can be " solved " on several levels; Ultra-weak In the weakest sense solving a game means proving whether the first player will win The name reflects that traditionally the analysis has been found in the chess endgame literature, but in simplified positions (currently six pieces or fewer) computer analysis in an endgame tablebase can be used. Chess endgame literature refers to books and magazines about Chess endgames. An endgame tablebase is a computerized Database of all Chess positions within certain endgames The tablebase reveals the game-theoretical value

Break

A pawn advance or capture that opens up a blocked position.

Breakthrough

Destruction of a seemingly strong defense, often by means of a sacrifice.

Brevity

(chiefly British) See Miniature.

Brilliancy

A spectacular and beautiful game of chess, generally featuring sacrificial attacks and unexpected moves. Brilliancies are not always required to feature sound play or the best moves by either side.

Brilliancy prize

A prize awarded at some tournaments for the best brilliancy played in the tournament.

Bronstein delay

A time control method with time delay, invented by David Bronstein. David Ionovich Bronstein (Дави́д Ио́нович Бронште́йн February 19 1924 &ndash December 5 2006) was renowned as a leading 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.

Bughouse chess

Main article: Bughouse chess

A chess variant played with teams of two or more. Bughouse chess (also called Exchange chess, Siamese chess, Tandem chess, Transfer chess, or simply Bughouse) is a popular Chess A chess variant is a Game derived from related to or similar to Chess in at least one respect

Bullet chess

Main article: Bullet chess

A form of chess in which each side has 1 minute to make all their moves. Fast chess, also known as blitz chess, lightning chess, bullet chess and rapid chess, is a type of Chess game in which each side is

Bye

Main article: Bye (sports)

A tournament round in which a player does not have a game, usually because there are an odd number of players. A bye, in sports and other competitive activities most commonly refers to the practice of allowing a player or Team to advance to the next Round of a 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).

C

Caïssa

Main article: Caïssa

The goddess of chess, occasionally invoked to indicate luck or good fortune: "Caissa was with me". Caïssa is a mythical Thracian Dryad portrayed as the goddess of Chess.

Calculate

To carefully plan a series of moves while considering possible responses.

Candidate move

Main article: Candidate move

A move that seems good upon initial observation of the position, and that warrants further analysis. In abstract strategy Board games candidate moves are moves which upon initial observation of the position seem to warrant further analysis

Candidates Match

A knockout match in the Candidates Tournament.

Candidates Tournament

A tournament organised by the FIDE, the third and last qualifying cycle of the World Chess Championship. Fédération Internationale des Échecs or World Chess Federation is an international organization that connects the various national Chess federations around the See also Development of the World Chess Championship The World Chess Championship is played to determine the World Champion in the Board game Chess 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.

Capped piece

A certain piece with which one player tries to deliver checkmate. When the capped piece is a pawn, it is called a pion coiffé (French for capped pawn). Playing with a capped piece is a handicap in chess. A handicap (or "odds" in Chess is a way to enable a weaker player to play on more even terms with a stronger one

Capture

Remove the opponent's piece or pawn from the board by taking it with one's own piece or pawn. Except in the case of an en passant capture, the capturing piece or pawn does so by occupying the same square that the captured piece or pawn occupied. Illustration Example in opening In this line from the Petrov Defence, White can capture the pawn on d5 en passant on his sixth move

Castling

Main article: Castling (chess)

A special move involving both the king and one rook. Its purpose is generally to protect the king and develop the rook. Castling on the kingside is sometimes called castling short and castling on the queenside is called castling long; the difference is based on whether the rook moves a short distance (two squares) or a long distance (three squares).

Casual game

See friendly game.

Category tournament

The category of a tournament is a measure of its strength based on the average FIDE rating of the participants. The Elo rating system is a method for calculating the relative skill levels of players in two-player games such as Chess and Go. 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.

CC

An abbreviation sometimes used for correspondence chess. Correspondence chess is Chess played by various forms of long-distance correspondence usually through a Correspondence chess server, through email or by

Centralization

Main article: Centralization

Moving a piece or pieces toward the center of the board. Centralization (or centralisation) is the process by which the activities of an organization particularly those regarding decision-making become concentrated within In general, pieces are best placed in or near the center of the board because they control a large number of squares and are available for play on either flank as needed. Because of their limited mobility, knights in particular benefit from being centralized. There are several chess aphorisms referring to this principle: "A knight on the rim is dim" (or "grim" instead of "dim") and "A knight on the side cannot abide. "

Centre/Center

The four squares in the middle of the board. A chessboard is the type of Checkerboard used in the Game of Chess, and consists of 64 squares (eight rows and eight columns arranged in two alternating

Central pawn

A pawn on the king's file or queen's file, i. e. on the d-file or e-file.

Cheapo

Slang for a tactical shot or trap often made by the losing side to hold a draw or win. See also Swindle.

Check

Main article: Check (Chess)

An attack on the king. In games such as Chess, Shogi, and Xiangqi, a check is an immediate threat to capture the king (or general in xiangqi In Chess, the King (♔ ♚ is the most important piece. The object of the game is to trap the opponent's king so that it would not be able to avoid capture The attacked king is said to be in check.

Checkmate

Main article: Checkmate

A position in which a player's king is in check and the player has no legal move (i. Checkmate (frequently shortened to mate) is a situation in Chess (and in other Boardgames of the Chaturanga family in which one player's e cannot move out of check). A player whose king is checkmated loses the game.

Chessboard

Main article: Chessboard

This is the chequered board used in chess. A chessboard is the type of Checkerboard used in the Game of Chess, and consists of 64 squares (eight rows and eight columns arranged in two alternating It consists of 64 squares (eight rows and eight columns) arranged in two alternating colors (light and dark). Similar boards are also known as checkerboards. A checkerboard (or chequerboard) is a board on which American checkers is played

Chess clock

Main article: Game clock

A device made up of two adjacent clocks and buttons, keeping track of the total time each player takes for his or her moves. A game clock consists of two adjacent Clocks and buttons to stop one clock while starting the other such that the two component clocks never run simultaneously

Classical

An opening system geared towards forming a full pawn center. See also Hypermodern.

Clock move

A timed game is played clock move if a move is completed only when the clock has been pressed. It is therefore possible to touch one piece, but then decide to move another piece. This way of playing is common in casual games, in favour of touch move.

Closed game

• A position with few open lines (files or diagonals), generally characterized by interlocking pawn chains, cramped positions with few opportunities to exchange, and extensive maneuvering behind lines. Such a position may later become an Open game. See also Positional game.
• A chess opening that begins with the moves 1. A Closed Game, also called a Double Queen Pawn Opening, is a Chess opening that begins with the moves 1 d4 d5. See also Open game and Semi-open game.

Closed file

A file on which black and white both have a pawn.

Closed tournament

A tournament in which only invited or qualifying players may participate, as opposed to an open tournament. Also called an invitational tournament.

Coffee house

A risky style or move that is not necessarily sound, but which poses immediate problems for the opponent and makes it easy to go wrong.

Color

The white or black pieces.

Combination

Main article: Combination (chess)

A clever sequence of moves, often involving a sacrifice, to gain the advantage. In Chess, a combination is a relatively long sequence of moves often initiated by a sacrifice which leaves the opponent few options and results in tangible gain The moves of the other player are usually forced, i. e. a combination does not give the opponent too many possible lines of continuation.

Compensation

Main article: Compensation (chess)

An imbalanced equivalent return, for example sacrificing material for development or trading a bishop for three pawns. In Chess, compensation refers to various (typically positional advantages a player has in exchange for a (typically material disadvantage

Connected pawns

Main article: Connected pawns

Refers to two or more pawns of the same color on adjacent files. In Chess, connected pawns are two or more pawns of the same color on adjacent files, as distinct from Isolated pawns These pawns are instrumental See also isolated pawns.

Connected passed pawns

Main article: Passed pawn

Passed pawns on adjacent files. In Chess, a passed pawn is a pawn with no opposing pawns to prevent it from advancing to the eighth rank, i 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. Also see connected pawns. In Chess, connected pawns are two or more pawns of the same color on adjacent files, as distinct from Isolated pawns These pawns are instrumental

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. cf. Doubled rooks.

Control of the centre/center

Main article: Control of the centre

Having one or more pieces that attack any of the four centre squares; an important strategy, and one of the main aims of openings. Control of the centre is an important positional strategy in Chess and some other board games

Cook

An unintended solution of a chess problem. A chess problem, also called a chess composition, is a puzzle set by somebody using Chess pieces on a Chess board that presents the solver with

Correspondence chess

Main article: Correspondence chess

This is chess played at a long time control by various forms of long-distance correspondence, usually through a correspondence chess server, through email or by the postal system. Correspondence chess is Chess played by various forms of long-distance correspondence usually through a Correspondence chess server, through email or by A correspondence chess server is arguably the most convenient form of Correspondence chess. Electronic mail, often abbreviated to e-mail, email, or originally eMail, is a Store-and-forward method of writing sending receiving Mail, or post, is a method for transmitting information and tangible objects wherein written Documents typically enclosed in Envelopes and also Typically, one move is transmitted in every correspondence.

Corresponding squares

Main article: Corresponding squares

Squares of reciprocal (or mutual) Zugzwang often found in king and pawn endgames. Details Corresponding squares are squares of reciprocal (or mutual Zugzwang. Zugzwang ' is also a musical work by Juan Maria Solare. Zugzwang' ( German for "compulsion to move" ˈtsuːktsvaŋ Also known as related squares.

Counterattack

An attack that responds to an attack by the other player.

Countergambit

Main article: Gambit

A gambit used to defend against a gambit. A gambit is a Chess opening in which the first player risks or sacrifices material usually a pawn, with the hope of achieving a resulting advantageous

Counterplay

Active maneuvering by the player in an inferior or defensive position.

Cover

To protect a piece or control a square. For example, to checkmate a king on the side of the board, the five squares adjacent to the king must all be covered.

Cramped

A position with limited mobility.

Critical position

A position that is of key importance in determining the soundness of an opening variation. In Chess the word " opening " has two common meanings both of which are discussed in this article If one side can demonstrate an advantage in a critical position, the other side must either find an improvement or else abandon that variation as inferior.

Cross-check

Main article: Cross-check

A cross-check is a check played in reply to a check, especially when the original check is blocked by a piece which itself either delivers check or reveals a discovered check from another piece. This article is about a type of move in Chess. Cross checking is also a penalty in ice hockey

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. The columns are also numbered, each one corresponding to the player in the same numbered row. Each table cell records the outcome of the game between the players on the intersecting row and column, 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. A round-robin tournament or all-play-all tournament is a type of group tournament in which each participant plays every other participant an equal number of times ) Every game is recorded twice, once from the perspective of each player. The diagonal cells that correspond to the player playing himself are marked with a * or other symbol as they are not used. For examples see Hastings 1895 chess tournament, Nottingham 1936 chess tournament, and AVRO tournament. The Hastings 1895 chess tournament was a Round-robin tournament of Chess conducted in Hastings, England from August 5 to September 2 1895 Nottingham 1936 is often considered one of the strongest chess tournaments of all time "reminiscent of the unsurpassed quality of the of the first great Hastings tournament

D

Dark squares

The 32 dark-coloured squares on the chessboard, such as a1 and h8. A dark square is always located at a player's left hand corner.

Dark-square bishop

One of the two bishops evolving on the dark squares, situated in c1 and f8 in the initial position.

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 which would require a major blunder before either side would have a chance to win.

Decoy

Main article: Decoy (chess)

This is a chess tactic used to lure a piece to an unfavourable square. In Chess, decoying is the tactic of ensnaring a piece usually the king or queen by forcing it to move to a poisoned square with a sacrifice on that square

Defence

(1) A move or plan which tries to meet the opponent's attack; (2) an opening played by Black, for example the Scandinavian Defence, King's Indian Defense, English Defense, etc. In Chess the word " opening " has two common meanings both of which are discussed in this article The Scandinavian Defense or Center Counter Defense, is a Chess opening characterized by the moves 1 The King's Indian Defence is a common Chess opening. It arises after the moves 1 The English Defense is a Chess opening characterized by the moves 1

Deflect

To cause a piece to move to a less suitable square. Typically used in the context of a combination or attack, where the deflected piece is critical to the defence.

Demonstration board

A large standing chess board used to analyse a game or show a game in progress. Johann Löwenthal invented the demonstration board in 1857. Johann Jacob (János Jakab Löwenthal ( Pest, July 15 1810 – Hastings, July 20 1876, England was a professional

Descriptive notation

Main article: Descriptive chess notation

an old system of recording chess moves, used primarily in the English and Spanish speaking countries through the 1970s or 1980s. Descriptive chess notation, or just descriptive notation is a notation for recording Chess games and at one time was the most popular notation in Britain Now replaced by the standard algebraic notation. Algebraic chess notation is used to record and describe the moves in a game of Chess.

Desperado

Main article: Desperado (chess)

• A piece that seems determined to give itself up, typically either to bring about stalemate
• A piece to sell itself as dearly as possible in a situation where both sides have hanging pieces. In Chess, a desperado piece is a piece that seems determined to give itself up typically either (1 to sell itself as dearly as possible in a situation where both Chess pieces vary in both value and abilities A standard chess match consists of each player having the following equipment 1 king Stalemate is a situation in Chess where the player whose turn it is to move is not in check but has no legal moves This page explains commonly used terms in Chess in alphabetical order

Develop

In the opening, moving a piece from its original square to make it more active. To redevelop a piece means to move it to a better square after it has already been developed.

Diagonal

A line of squares of the same colour, along which a queen or bishop can move.

Discovered attack

Main article: Discovered attack

An attack made by a queen, rook or bishop when another piece or pawn moves out of its way. In Chess, a discovered attack is an attack revealed when one piece moves out of the way of another

Discovered check

Main articles: Check (chess) and Discovered attack

A check delivered by a piece when another piece or pawn has moved out of its way. In games such as Chess, Shogi, and Xiangqi, a check is an immediate threat to capture the king (or general in xiangqi In Chess, a discovered attack is an attack revealed when one piece moves out of the way of another

Domination

Main article: Domination (chess)

A situation whereby capture of a piece is unavoidable despite it having wide freedom of movement. In Chess, and particularly in Endgame studies, domination occurs when a piece has a relatively wide choice of destination squares but nevertheless cannot avoid being Usually occurs in chess problems.

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 (a situation which may arise via a discovered attack in which the moved piece also makes a threat). In Chess, a fork is a tactic that uses one piece to attack two or more of the opponent's pieces at the same time hoping to achieve material gain (by capturing In Chess, a discovered attack is an attack revealed when one piece moves out of the way of another The attacks may directly threaten opposing pieces, or may be threats of another kind: for instance, to capture the queen and deliver checkmate.

Double check

Main article: Double check

A check delivered by two pieces at the same time. In Chess, a double check is a check delivered by two pieces at the same time A double check necessarily involves a discovered check.

Doubled pawns

Main article: Doubled pawns

A pair of pawns of the same color on the same file. In Chess, doubled pawns are two pawns of the same color residing on the same file.

Doubled rooks

Two of a player's rooks placed on the same file or rank.

Draw

Main article: Draw (chess)

A game that ends without victory for either player. In Chess, a draw is one of the possible outcomes of a game the others being a win for white and a win for black Most drawn games are draws by agreement. The other ways that a game can end in a draw are stalemate, threefold repetition, the fifty move rule, and insufficient material. A position is said to be a draw (or a drawn position) 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.

Drawing line

An opening variation that commonly ends in a draw, for example 1. In Chess the word " opening " has two common meanings both of which are discussed in this article In Chess, a draw is one of the possible outcomes of a game the others being a win for white and a win for black e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc6 Nf6 4. Bb5 Nd4 5. Nxd4 exd4 6. e5 dxc3 7. exf6 Qxf6 8. dxc3 Qe5+ 9. Qe2 Qxe2+, a line in the Rubinstein Variation of the Four Knights Game. The Four Knights Game is a Chess opening starting with the moves 1 See Collection of drawing lines at chessgames.com. ChessGamescom is a large Chess community on the Internet with over 100000 members Often such a variation is played because one or both players is/are eager to draw the game.

Drawing weapon

An opening line that a player plays with the intent of drawing the game. This may or may not be a line commonly thought of as a drawing line. This page explains commonly used terms in Chess in alphabetical order In high-level chess and correspondence chess, a player well-versed in opening theory may even use as a drawing weapon a sharp opening that has been analyzed to a drawn position in a number of lines, such as the Marshall Attack in the Ruy Lopez, and the Sveshnikov and Poisoned Pawn variations of the Sicilian Defense. Correspondence chess is Chess played by various forms of long-distance correspondence usually through a Correspondence chess server, through email or by In 1913 preeminent Chess historian HJR Murray wrote in his 900-page magnum opus A History of Chess that "The Game possesses a This page explains commonly used terms in Chess in alphabetical order The Ruy Lopez, called the Spanish Opening or Spanish Game outside English speaking countries, is a Chess opening characterised by the moves The Sicilian Defence is a Chess opening that begins with the moves 1 One example of the successful employment of a drawing weapon was the 2000 World Chess Championship match between Garry Kasparov and Vladimir Kramnik. Background Following the split in the World chess championship in 1993 there were two rival world titles the official FIDE world title and the PCA Garry Kasparov (Га́рри Ки́мович Каспа́ров) (born as Garry Kimovich Weinstein on April 13 1963 in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, Soviet Vladimir Borisovich Kramnik (Влади́мир Бори́сович Кра́мник (born June 25, 1975) is a Russian Chess grandmaster In that match, Kramnik used the Berlin Defense to the Ruy Lopez as a drawing weapon with great effect. The Ruy Lopez, called the Spanish Opening or Spanish Game outside English speaking countries, is a Chess opening characterised by the moves Kramnik drew all four games with that opening, drew all the rest of his games as Black, and won two games as White, with no losses.

Duffer

A weak chess player, also referred to as a "fish", "patzer" or "woodpusher. "

Dynamism

A style of play in which the activity of the pieces is favoured over more positional considerations, even to the point of accepting permanent structural or spatial weaknesses. Dynamism stemmed from the teachings of the 'Hypermodern movement' and challenged the dogma found in more classical teachings, such as those put forward by Wilhelm Steinitz and Siegbert Tarrasch. Wilhelm (later William) Steinitz ( May 17, 1836 – August 12, 1900) was an Austrian - American Siegbert Tarrasch ( March 5, 1862 &ndash February 17, 1934) was one of the strongest Chess players and most influential chess

E

ECF

Main article: English Chess Federation

The English Chess Federation (ECF) is the governing chess organisation in England and is one of the federations of the FIDE. The English Chess Federation (ECF is the governing Chess organisation in England and is one of the federations of the FIDE. The English Chess Federation (ECF is the governing Chess organisation in England and is one of the federations of the FIDE. Fédération Internationale des Échecs or World Chess Federation is an international organization that connects the various national Chess federations around the It was known as British Chess Federation(BCF) until 2005 when it was renamed.

ECO

The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings, a standard and comprehensive chess opening reference. The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings ( ECO) is a classification system for the opening moves in a game of chess In Chess the word " opening " has two common meanings both of which are discussed in this article Also a classification system (ECO code) for chess openings that assigns an alphanumeric code from A00 to E99 to each opening.

Elo rating system

Main article: Elo rating system

The Elo rating system is a method for calculating the relative skill levels of chess players, named after the Hungarian Arpad Elo. The Elo rating system is a method for calculating the relative skill levels of players in two-player games such as Chess and Go. Since 1970 FIDE publishes quarterly an international chess rating list using the Elo system. Fédération Internationale des Échecs or World Chess Federation is an international organization that connects the various national Chess federations around the

En passant

Main article: En passant

("in the act of passing"; derived from French) The rule that allows a pawn that has just advanced two squares to be captured by a pawn on the same rank and adjacent file. Illustration Example in opening In this line from the Petrov Defence, White can capture the pawn on d5 en passant on his sixth move French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people The pawn is therefore taken as if it had only moved one space. It is only possible to take en passant on the next move.

En prise

(from French) A piece that can be captured. Usually used of a piece that is undefended and can be captured.

Endgame

Main article: Chess endgame

The stage of the game when there are few pieces left on the board. In Chess, the endgame (or end game or ending) refers to the stage of the game when there are few pieces left on the board The endgame follows the middlegame.

Endgame tablebase

Main article: Endgame tablebase

A computerized database of endgames with up to seven pieces, providing perfect play for both players, and thus completely solving those endgames. An endgame tablebase is a computerized Database of all Chess positions within certain endgames The tablebase reveals the game-theoretical value (The six-piece endgames have been finished; some seven-piece endgames have been finished as of 2008. )

Epaulette mate

Main article: Epaulette mate

A checkmate position where the king is blocked on both sides by his own rooks. Epaulette or epaulet mate is in its broadest definition a Checkmate where two parallel retreat squares for a checked king are occupied by his

Extended Position Description (EPD)

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. A chess engine is a Computer program that can play the game of Chess.

Equalise/Equalize

To create a position where the players have equal chances of winning (referred to as "equality"). In opening theory, since White has the advantage of the first move, lines that equalize are relatively good for Black and bad for White. The first-move advantage in chess refers to the inherent advantage of the player (called White) who makes the first move in Chess.

Escape square

Main article: Flight square

A square to which a piece can move, which allows it to escape attack. In Chess, a flight square or escape square is a safe place or a square to which a King can move if it is threatened See also flight square and luft.

Exchange

• The capture of a pair of pieces, one white and the other black, usually of the same type (i. e rook for rook, knight for knight etc).
• The exchange is used to refer to the advantage of a rook over a minor piece (knight or bishop). The exchange in Chess refers to a situation in which one player loses a minor piece (i The player who captures a rook while losing a minor piece is said to have won the exchange, and the opponent is said to have lost the exchange. An exchange sacrifice is giving up a rook for a minor piece.

Exchange variation

Main article: Exchange variation

This is a type of opening in which there is an early, voluntary exchange of pawns or pieces. In Chess, an exchange variation is a type of opening in which there is an early voluntary exchange of pawns or pieces

Exhibition

A contest of one or more games played for the purpose of public entertainment, as opposed to a match or tournament. An exhibition may pit two masters against each other, in which case chess clocks are normally used and the contest is quite serious. A game clock consists of two adjacent Clocks and buttons to stop one clock while starting the other such that the two component clocks never run simultaneously A simultaneous exhibition (or display) has one or more masters play many celebrity or amateur opponents at once, and is often not timed.

Expanded centre

The central sixteen squares on the board.

F

Family fork, family check

A knight fork that attacks more than two opposing pieces concomitantly.

Fast chess

Main article: 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. Fast chess, also known as blitz chess, lightning chess, bullet chess and rapid chess, is a type of Chess game in which each side is A time control is a mechanism in the tournament play of almost all two-player Board games so that each round of the match can finish in a timely way and the tournament can See also blitz chess.

Fianchetto

Main article: Fianchetto

Refers to a bishop developed to the second square on the file of the adjacent knight (that is, b2 or g2 for white, b7 or g7 for black), or the process of developing a bishop to such a square. In Chess the fianchetto (/ˌfiən'kɛto/ Italian "little flanking" is a pattern of development wherein a bishop is developed to the second rank It usually occurs after moving the pawn on that file ahead one square (or perhaps two). The Italian word is actually a noun ("in fianchetto") and not a verb.

FIDE

Main article: FIDE

The World Chess Federation (Fédération Internationale des Échecs), the primary international chess organizing and governing body. Fédération Internationale des Échecs or World Chess Federation is an international organization that connects the various national Chess federations around the The abbreviated name FIDE is nearly always used in place of the full name in French.

First-move advantage

Main article: First move advantage in chess

The slight (by most accounts) advantage that White has by virtue of moving first. The first-move advantage in chess refers to the inherent advantage of the player (called White) who makes the first move in Chess. This page explains commonly used terms in Chess in alphabetical order

FEN

Main article: Forsyth-Edwards Notation

Abbreviation for Forsyth-Edwards Notation, which is 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.

FIDE Master (FM)

Main article: FIDE Master

A chess title ranking below International Master. FIDE Master (FM is a title awarded by the world Chess governing body Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE The title International Master is awarded to outstanding Chess players by the world chess organization FIDE.

File

A column of the chessboard. A chessboard is the type of Checkerboard used in the Game of Chess, and consists of 64 squares (eight rows and eight columns arranged in two alternating A specific file can be named either using its position in algebraic notation, a–h, or by using its position in descriptive notation. Algebraic chess notation is used to record and describe the moves in a game of Chess. Descriptive chess notation, or just descriptive notation is a notation for recording Chess games and at one time was the most popular notation in Britain For example, the f-file or the king bishop file comprises the squares f1–f8 or KB1–KB8.

Fifty move rule

Main article: Fifty move rule

A draw may be claimed if no capture or pawn move has occurred in the last fifty moves by either side. The fifty move rule in Chess states that a player can claim a draw if no capture has been made and no pawn has been moved in the last fifty consecutive

First board

See top board.

Fish

A weak chess player, also referred to as a "duffer", "patzer" or "woodpusher. "

Fischer delay

A time control method with time delay, invented by Robert Fischer. Robert James "Bobby" Fischer ( March 9 1943 – January 17 2008) was an American -born Chess Grandmaster When it becomes a player's turn to move, the delay is added to the player's remaining time.

Flight square

Main article: Flight square

A square to which a piece can move, which allows it to escape attack. In Chess, a flight square or escape square is a safe place or a square to which a King can move if it is threatened See also escape square and luft.

Flag

Part of an analogue chess clock (usually red) which 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.

Flank

The queenside a, b, and c-files, or the kingside f, g, and h-files, also called wing; distinguished from the center d and e-files.

Flank opening

Main article: Flank opening

This a chess opening played by White and typified by play on one or both flanks. A flank opening is a chess opening played by White and typified by play on one or both flanks (the portion of the chess board outside the central d and e files)

FM

Abbreviation for the FIDE Master title. FIDE Master (FM is a title awarded by the world Chess governing body Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE

Fool's mate

Main article: Fool's mate

The shortest possible chess game ending in mate: 1. For the Peter Hammill album of the same name see Fool's Mate (album Fool's mate, also known as the "two-move checkmate" f3 e5 2. g4 Qh4# (or minor variations on this).

Forced move

A move which is the only one which does not result in a serious disadvantage for the moving player.

Forfeit

Refers to losing the game by absence or by exceeding the time control (forfeit on time).

Fork

Main article: Fork (chess)

When one piece, generally a knight or pawn, simultaneously attacks two (or more) of the opponent's pieces, often specifically called a knight fork when the attacker is a knight. In Chess, a fork is a tactic that uses one piece to attack two or more of the opponent's pieces at the same time hoping to achieve material gain (by capturing 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 a universal usage.

Fortress

Main article: Fortress (chess)

A fortress is a position that, if obtained by the weaker side, will prevent the opposing side from penetration, this generally resulting in a draw (which the weaker side is seeking). In Chess, the fortress is an endgame drawing technique in which the side lagging in material sets up a zone of protection around their king

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. A game clock consists of two adjacent Clocks and buttons to stop one clock while starting the other such that the two component clocks never run simultaneously Fast chess, also known as blitz chess, lightning chess, bullet chess and rapid chess, is a type of Chess game in which each side is 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. Also called a casual game.

G

Gambit

Main article: Gambit

A sacrifice (usually of a pawn) used to gain an early advantage of space and /or time in the opening. A gambit is a Chess opening in which the first player risks or sacrifices material usually a pawn, with the hope of achieving a resulting advantageous In the game of Chess, a sacrifice is a move giving up a piece or pawn in the hopes of gaining tactical or positional compensation in other forms In Chess the word " opening " has two common meanings both of which are discussed in this article

GM

abbreviation for Grandmaster. The title Grandmaster is awarded to extremely strong Chess masters by the world chess organization FIDE.

Good bishop

A bishop which has high mobility, typically because the player's pawns are on squares of color opposite to that of the bishop. (See #Bad bishop. )

Grandmaster

Main article: Grandmaster (chess)

The highest title a chess player can attain (besides World Champion). The title Grandmaster is awarded to extremely strong Chess masters by the world chess organization FIDE. When used precisely, it is the title awarded by FIDE starting in 1950, but it can be used to describe someone of comparable ability. Fédération Internationale des Échecs or World Chess Federation is an international organization that connects the various national Chess federations around the The term International Grandmaster or IGM would refer only to the FIDE title. The title Grandmaster is awarded to extremely strong Chess masters by the world chess organization FIDE.

Grandmaster draw

A short uninteresting draw. In Chess, a draw is one of the possible outcomes of a game the others being a win for white and a win for black Originally applied only to games between grandmasters, it is now used for any quick game that is agreed drawn without either player making much of an effort to win. The title Grandmaster is awarded to extremely strong Chess masters by the world chess organization FIDE.

Greek gift sacrifice

Main article: Greek gift sacrifice

Also known as the classical bishop sacrifice, it is a typical sacrifice of a bishop by White playing Bxh7+ or Black playing Bxh2+ against a castled king. In Chess, the Greek gift sacrifice or classical bishop sacrifice is a typical sacrifice of a bishop by White playing Bxh7+ or Black playing Bxh2+

H

Half-open file

Main article: Half-open file

A file on which only one player has no pawns. In Chess, a half-open file, or semi-open file is a file with no pawns of one color

Handicap

Main article: Chess handicap

A handicap in chess is a way to equal the chances for players of differing strengths. A handicap (or "odds" in Chess is a way to enable a weaker player to play on more even terms with a stronger one Examples include the stronger player getting less time or starting with a knight down (knight odds).

Hanging

Unprotected and exposed to capture. Slang for en prise. To "hang a piece" is to lose it by failing to move or protect it.

Hanging pawns

Main article: Pawn structure#The Queen's Gambit - Hanging Pawns

Two friendly pawns abreast without friendly pawns on adjacent files. In Chess, the pawn structure (sometimes known as the pawn skeleton) is the configuration of pawns on the Chessboard. Hanging pawns can be either a strength (usually because they can advance) or a weakness (because they cannot be defended by pawns) depending on circumstances.

Heavy piece

A queen or rook, also known as a major piece. The queen (♕♛ is the most powerful piece in the game of Chess. A rook, (♖ ♜ borrowed from Persian رخ rokh, Sanskrit rath, "chariot" also known as a castle is a piece in the

Hole

A square that a player does not, and cannot in future, control with a friendly pawn. The definition is somewhat subjective: the square must have some positional significance for the opponent to be considered a hole - squares on the first and second ranks are not holes. On the other hand a square is a hole even if it can be controlled in the future with a pawn that has made a capture. An example of the hole is the square e4 in the Stonewall Attack. The Stonewall Attack is a Chess opening; more specifically it is a variation of the Queen's Pawn Game.

Hypermodern

Main article: Hypermodernism (chess)

An opening system geared towards controlling the center with distant pieces as opposed to occupying it with pawns. Hypermodernism is a school of Chess thought which advocates controlling the centre of the board with distant pieces rather than with pawns, thus inviting the opponent See also Classical.

I

ICU

Irish Chess Union [1] publishes ICJ Irish Chess Journal

IGM

An abbreviation for the older term International Grandmaster. The modern usage is Grandmaster (GM). The title Grandmaster is awarded to extremely strong Chess masters by the world chess organization FIDE.

IM

Abbreviation for the International Master title. The title International Master is awarded to outstanding Chess players by the world chess organization FIDE.

Inactive

See passive.

Initiative

The advantage that a player who is making threats has over the player who must respond to them. The attacking player is said to "have the initiative". s/he can often turn the play as s/he wills. The initiative often results from an advantage in time and/or space. The notion of the initiative was introduced by Capablanca.

Indian bishop

A fianchettoed bishop, characteristic of the Indian defences, the King's Indian and the Queen's Indian. Indian defenses are Chess openings characterised by the moves 1 The King's Indian Defence is a common Chess opening. It arises after the moves 1 "qid" redirects here For the medical abbreviation see List of medical abbreviations#Q.

Indian defence

Main article: Indian defence

A chess opening that begins 1. Indian defenses are Chess openings characterised by the moves 1 In Chess the word " opening " has two common meanings both of which are discussed in this article d4 Nf6. Originally used to describe queen's pawn defences involving the fianchetto of one or both Black bishops, it is now used to describe all Black defences after 1. In Chess the fianchetto (/ˌfiən'kɛto/ Italian "little flanking" is a pattern of development wherein a bishop is developed to the second rank d4 Nf6 that do not transpose into the Queen's Gambit. The Queen's Gambit is a Chess opening that starts with the moves 1

Insufficient material

An endgame scenario in which all pawns have been captured, and one side has only its king remaining while the other is down to just a king or a king plus one knight or one bishop. A king and bishop versus a king and bishop with the bishops on the same color is also a draw. The position is a draw because it is impossible for the dominant side to deliver checkmate regardless of play. Situations where checkmate is possible only if the inferior side blunders are covered by the fifty move rule. The fifty move rule in Chess states that a player can claim a draw if no capture has been made and no pawn has been moved in the last fifty consecutive (See Draw (chess)#Draws in all games. In Chess, a draw is one of the possible outcomes of a game the others being a win for white and a win for black )

Interference

Main article: Interference (chess)

This happens when the line between an attacked piece and its defender is interrupted by sacrificially interposing a piece. Interference occurs when the line between an attacked piece and its defender is interrupted by sacrificially interposing a piece

Intermediate move

See zwischenzug.

International Grandmaster (IGM)

The original name of the FIDE title now simply called Grandmaster (GM). Fédération Internationale des Échecs or World Chess Federation is an international organization that connects the various national Chess federations around the The title Grandmaster is awarded to extremely strong Chess masters by the world chess organization FIDE.

International Master (IM)

Main article: International Master

A chess title that ranks below Grandmaster but above FIDE Master. The title International Master is awarded to outstanding Chess players by the world chess organization FIDE. The title Grandmaster is awarded to extremely strong Chess masters by the world chess organization FIDE. FIDE Master (FM is a title awarded by the world Chess governing body Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE

Internet chess server

Main article: Internet chess server

This is an external server that provides the facility to play, discuss, and view chess over the internet, also abbreviated ICS. An Internet chess server ( ICS) is an external server that provides the facility to play discuss and view Chess over the Internet.

Interpose

To move a piece between an attacking piece and its target, blocking the line of attack. Interposing a piece is one of the three possible responses to a check, the others being to move the king or capture the attacking piece.

Interzonal Tournament

Main article: Interzonal

A tournament organised by the FIDE, the second qualifying cycle of the World Chess Championship. Interzonal chess tournaments were tournaments organized by FIDE, the World Chess Federation Fédération Internationale des Échecs or World Chess Federation is an international organization that connects the various national Chess federations around the See also Development of the World Chess Championship The World Chess Championship is played to determine the World Champion in the Board game Chess The participants are selected from the top players of the zonal tournaments. The top ranking players qualify for the candidates tournament.

IQP

An abbreviation for Isolated Queen Pawn. See also isolani.

Irregular opening

Main article: Irregular chess opening

Irregular openings are chess openings with an unusual first move from White. Irregular openings are Chess openings with an unusual first move from White These openings are all categorized under the ECO code A00.

Isolani

Main article: Pawn structure#The Queen's Gambit - Isolani

refers to a d-Pawn with no Pawns of the same color on the adjacent c- and e-files, and is a synonym for 'Isolated Queen's Pawn'. In Chess, the pawn structure (sometimes known as the pawn skeleton) is the configuration of pawns on the Chessboard. The term was coined by Nimzovitch, who considered the isolani as a weapon of attack in the middle game but an endgame weakness; he considered the problem of hanging pawns to be related. Aron Nimzowitsch ( Ārons Ņimcovičs; born Aron Niemzowitsch and also known as Nimzovich) (7 November 1886 – 16 March 1935 was a Latvian

Isolated pawn

Main article: Isolated pawn

A pawn with no pawn of the same color on an adjacent file. In Chess, an isolated pawn is a pawn for which there is no friendly pawn on an adjacent file.

Italian bishop

A White bishop developed to the c4 square or a Black bishop developed to c5. Algebraic chess notation is used to record and describe the moves in a game of Chess. Algebraic chess notation is used to record and describe the moves in a game of Chess. This development is characteristic of the Italian Game, 1. The Italian Game is a family of chess openings beginning 1 e4 e5 2 e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4, particularly the Giuoco Piano, 1. The Giuoco Piano is a Chess opening characterized by the moves 1 e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5, where both players have Italian bishops. Likewise, "Italian" may be used as an adjective denoting an opening where one or both players has an Italian bishop, such as after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bc4, the Italian Four Knights Game. The Four Knights Game is a Chess opening starting with the moves 1

J

J'adoube

Main article: Touch-move rule

(from French) "I adjust". The touch-move rule is used in serious Chess play If a player intentionally touches a piece on the board when it is his term to move then he must A player says "J'adoube" as the international signal that he intends to adjust the position of a piece on the board without being subject to the touched piece rule.

K

K

Symbol used for the king when recording chess moves in English.

Key square

1. An important square.
2. (Pawn endings) A square whose occupation by one side's king guarantees the achievement of a certain goal, such as the win of a pawn, see King and pawn versus king endgame#Key squares. Rule of the square The first thing to realize is that the pawn may be able to queen unassisted by his king simply by advancing to the queening square before the opposing king can

KGA

The King's Gambit Accepted chess opening. The King's Gambit is a Chess opening that begins 1 e4 e5 2 f4 White offers a pawn to divert the Black e-pawn

KGD

The King's Gambit Declined chess opening. The King's Gambit is a Chess opening that begins 1 e4 e5 2 f4 White offers a pawn to divert the Black e-pawn

KIA

the King's Indian Attack chess opening. The King's Indian Attack (KIA is a Chess opening system for white most notably used by Bobby Fischer.

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 breach of etiquette.

Kick

Attacking a piece, typically by a pawn, so that it will move.

KID

The King's Indian Defence chess opening. The King's Indian Defence is a common Chess opening. It arises after the moves 1

King

see king

King Bishop

The bishop that was on the king-side at the start of the game. In Chess, the King (♔ ♚ is the most important piece. The object of the game is to trap the opponent's king so that it would not be able to avoid capture The terms King Knight and King Rook are also used. Sometimes abbreviated KB, KN, and KR respectively.

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. Checkmate (frequently shortened to mate) is a situation in Chess (and in other Boardgames of the Chaturanga family in which one player's Some of the most famous games featuring king hunts are Edward Lasker-Thomas, Polugaevsky-Nezhmetdinov, and Kasparov-Topalov. Edward Lasker ( December 3 1885 &ndash March 25 1981) was a leading American Chess and Go player Rashid Gibiatovich Nezhmetdinov (Рашид Гибятович Нежметдинов Рәшит Һибәт улы Нәҗметдинов|Räşit Hibät ulı Näcmetdinov næʑmetˈdinəf}}

King 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.

Kingside

The side of the board where the kings are at the start of the game (the e through h files), as opposed to the queenside. In Chess, the King (♔ ♚ is the most important piece. The object of the game is to trap the opponent's king so that it would not be able to avoid capture

Knight

see knight

Knight pawn

A pawn on the knight's file, i. The knight (♘ ♞ sometimes referred to by players as a 'horse' is a piece in the Game of Chess, representing a Knight (armoured cavalry e. the b-file or g-file.

Knockout tournament

Main article: Single-elimination tournament

A tournament conducted as a series of matches in which the winner of each match advances to the next round and the loser is eliminated. A single-elimination tournament, also called a knockout, cup or sudden death tournament, is a type of Tournament where the loser of each Well known chess tournaments held in the knockout format include London 1851 and the 2007 Chess World Cup. London 1851 was the first international Chess tournament The tournament was conceived and organised by English player Howard Staunton, and marked the first time that The Chess World Cup 2007 served as a qualification tournament for the World Chess Championship 2009. Cf. Round-robbin tournament and Swiss tournament.

Kotov syndrome

Main article: Kotov syndrome

This phenomenon, first described by Alexander Kotov, can occur when a player does not find a good plan after thinking long and hard on a position. In Chess, Kotov syndrome is a phenomenon first described in Alexander Kotov's 1971 book Think Like a Grandmaster. Alexander Alexandrovich Kotov (Александр Александрович Котов ( &ndash January 8, 1981) was a Russian Chess grandmaster The player, under time pressure, then suddenly decides to make a move, often a terrible one which was not analysed properly.

Kt

The symbol sometimes used for the knight when recording chess moves in descriptive notation, mainly in older literature. Descriptive chess notation, or just descriptive notation is a notation for recording Chess games and at one time was the most popular notation in Britain A N is used instead in algebraic notation and in later descriptive notation to avoid confusion with K, the symbol for the king. Algebraic chess notation is used to record and describe the moves in a game of Chess.

L

Laws of Chess

The rules of chess. The rules of chess (also known as the laws of chess) are rules governing the play of the game of Chess.

Lightning chess

A form of chess with an extremely short time limit, usually 1 or 2 minutes per player for the entire game.

Light squares

the 32 light-coloured squares on the chessboard, such as h1 and a8.

Light-square bishop

One of the two bishops moving on the light squares, situated on f1 or c8 in the initial position.

Line

• A sequence of moves, usually in the opening or in analyzing a position.
• An open path for a piece (Queen, Rook, or Bishop) to move or control squares.

Liquidation

See simplification.

Long diagonal

One of the two diagonals with eight squares (a1-h8 or h1-a8).

Loss

A loss 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. Checkmate (frequently shortened to mate) is a situation in Chess (and in other Boardgames of the Chaturanga family in which one player's A resignation is the formal act of giving up or quitting one's office or position A time control is a mechanism in the tournament play of almost all two-player Board games so that each round of the match can finish in a timely way and the tournament can Asset forfeiture is a term used to describe the confiscation of Assets, by the State, which are either (a the proceeds of Crime or (b the instrumentalities Tournament directors typically perform a number of key functions at sporting events of all kinds including Martial arts tournaments major field sport tournaments Contract Chess being a zero-sum game, this results in a win for the other player, except in the very rare circumstance where the tournament director forfeits both players, for example for cheating or both players exceeding the time control (the latter does not normally result in a double forfeit today). In Game theory and Economic theory, zero-sum describes a situation in which a participant's gain or loss is exactly balanced by the losses or gains of the other This page explains commonly used terms in Chess in alphabetical order

Lucena position

Main article: Lucena position

A well-known rook and pawn versus rook endgame position in which the player with the extra pawn can force a win. Introduction The so-called Lucena position is named after the Spaniard Luis Ramirez de Lucena, although is something of a misnomer because the position does Terminology In the following discussion and positions assume that the side with the pawn is white

Luft

Main article: Luft

(from the German for air) Space made for a castled king to give it a flight square to prevent a back rank mate. Luft, the German word for "air" (sometimes also "space" or "breath" is used by some Chess writers and commentators to denote Usually luft is made by moving a pawn on the second rank in front of the king.

M

Main line

The principal, most important, or most often played variation of an opening or piece of analysis. For example, 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 0-0 6. Be2 e5 7. 0-0 Nc6 8. d5 Ne7 is often referred to as the main line of the King's Indian Defence. The King's Indian Defence is a common Chess opening. It arises after the moves 1

Major piece

A queen or rook, also known as a heavy piece. The queen (♕♛ is the most powerful piece in the game of Chess. A rook, (♖ ♜ borrowed from Persian رخ rokh, Sanskrit rath, "chariot" also known as a castle is a piece in the

Majority

A larger numbers of pawns on one flank opposed by a smaller number of the opponent's; often a player with a majority on one flank has a minority on the other.

Maróczy Bind

Main article: Maróczy Bind

A bind on the light squares in the center, particularly d5, obtained by White by placing pawns on c4 and e4. The Maróczy Bind is a pawn formation in Chess, named after Géza Maróczy and primarily but not exclusively played against the Sicilian Defence Named for Géza Maróczy, it originally referred to formations arising in some variations of the Sicilian Defence, but the name is now also applied to similar setups in the English Opening and the Queen's Indian Defence. Géza Maróczy (ˈɡeːzɒ ˈmɒroːtsi 3 March 1870 – 29 May 1951) was a leading Hungarian Chess Grandmaster The Sicilian Defence is a Chess opening that begins with the moves 1 In Chess, the English Opening is the opening where White begins 1 "qid" redirects here For the medical abbreviation see List of medical abbreviations#Q. It was once greatly feared by Black but means of countering it have been developed since the 1980s and earlier.

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. Unlike in some sports where the word match is sometimes used to describe a single game, a chess match always consists of at least two games (and often many more).

Mate

Short for checkmate.

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". When a player gains a material advantage they are also said to be "making material". (See Chess piece point value. Standard valuations The following is the most common assignment of point values. )

Mating attack

An attack aimed at checkmating the enemy king. This page explains commonly used terms in Chess in alphabetical order Checkmate (frequently shortened to mate) is a situation in Chess (and in other Boardgames of the Chaturanga family in which one player's In Chess, the King (♔ ♚ is the most important piece. The object of the game is to trap the opponent's king so that it would not be able to avoid capture

MCO

Modern Chess Openings, a popular chess opening reference. Modern Chess Openings (usually called MCO) is an important book of Chess openings first published in 1911 by the British players Richard In Chess the word " opening " has two common meanings both of which are discussed in this article Often the edition is also given, as in MCO-14, the 14th edition. Cf. ECO. The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings ( ECO) is a classification system for the opening moves in a game of chess

Middlegame

Main article: Chess 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. The middlegame in Chess refers to the portion of the game that happens immediately after the opening (usually the first move after the procession of moves that This is usually roughly moves 20 through 40.

Miniature

A short game (usually no more than 20 to 25 moves). Usually only decisive games (not draws) are considered miniatures, and 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. The Opera Game was a famous Chess game played in 1858 between the American Chess master Paul Morphy and two strong amateurs the Sometimes called a brevity (chiefly British).

Minor exchange

The exchange of a bishop for a knight.

Minor piece

A bishop or knight. A bishop (♗♝ is a piece in the Board game of Chess. Each player begins the game with two bishops The knight (♘ ♞ sometimes referred to by players as a 'horse' is a piece in the Game of Chess, representing a Knight (armoured cavalry

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. The pawn (♙♟ is the weakest and most numerous piece in the Game of Chess, representing Infantry

Mobility

The ability of a piece, or of a player's pieces collectively, to move around the board. (In computer chess this is often measured by the number of legal moves available. )

Mobile pawn center

Pawns on central squares able to advance without becoming weak.

Move

A turn by each player, but also used to refer to a ply.

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. For example, 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 avoids the Budapest Gambit (2. The Budapest Gambit (or Budapest Defence) is a Chess opening beginning with the moves 1 c4 e5!?), but makes it impossible for White to play the Sämisch Variation (2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. f3) or Four Pawns Attack (5. f4) against the King's Indian Defence, and to transpose to certain lines of the Nimzo-Indian Defence and Queen's Gambit Declined, Exchange variation where the knight goes to e2 instead of f3. The King's Indian Defence is a common Chess opening. It arises after the moves 1 The Nimzo-Indian Defence is a Chess opening characterised by the moves 1 The Queen's Gambit Declined (QGD is a Chess opening characterized by the opening moves 1 (See transposition. A transposition in Chess is a sequence of moves that results in a position which may also be reached by another more common sequence of moves )

Mysterious rook move

A horizontal rook move to a closed file. An example of prophylaxis, it is intended to discourage the opposing player from opening the file. An open file in chess is a file with no pawns of either color on it

N

N

Symbol used for the knight when recording chess moves in English. The knight (♘ ♞ sometimes referred to by players as a 'horse' is a piece in the Game of Chess, representing a Knight (armoured cavalry

NCO

Abbreviation sometimes used for the chess opening reference Nunn's Chess Openings. In Chess the word " opening " has two common meanings both of which are discussed in this article Cf. ECO and MCO. The Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings ( ECO) is a classification system for the opening moves in a game of chess Modern Chess Openings (usually called MCO) is an important book of Chess openings first published in 1911 by the British players Richard

NN or N. N.

Used in a game score in place of a player whose name is not known. The origin of this usage is uncertain. It may be an abbreviation of the Latin nomina (names), or it may be short for the Latin phrase nescio nomen (names unknown). Latin ( lingua Latīna, laˈtiːna is an Italic language, historically spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome.

Norm

Main article: Grandmaster norm

A performance at a chess tournament that indicates a player is ready to receive a title, or the level of performance needed. In order to qualify for the title of Grandmaster of Chess, a title awarded by FIDE, the World Chess Federation one must in most cases achieve three grandmaster In addition to other requirements, a certain number of norms is generally required to earn a title. See Grandmaster and International Master. The title Grandmaster is awarded to extremely strong Chess masters by the world chess organization FIDE. The title International Master is awarded to outstanding Chess players by the world chess organization FIDE.

Novelty

A new move in the opening. Sometimes called a "theoretical novelty" or "TN. "

O

Olympiad

Main article: Chess Olympiad

An international team chess tournament organized biennially by FIDE. The Chess Olympiad is a Biennial Chess tournament in which teams from all over the world compete against each other Fédération Internationale des Échecs or World Chess Federation is an international organization that connects the various national Chess federations around the Each team represents a FIDE member country.

Offhand game

See skittles.

Open file

Main article: Open file

A file on which there are no pawns. An open file in chess is a file with no pawns of either color on it A file on which only one player has no pawns is said to be half-open.

Open game

• A game in which exchanges have opened files and diagonals, as opposed to a closed game.
• A chess opening that begins with the moves 1. In Chess the word " opening " has two common meanings both of which are discussed in this article e4 e5 (which is also called a Double King Pawn opening). See also closed game and semi-open game.

Open tournament

A tournament where anyone can enter, regardless of rating or invitation. (Compare to closed tournament. )

Opening

Main article: Chess opening

The beginning moves of the game, roughly the first 10-20 moves. In Chess the word " opening " has two common meanings both of which are discussed in this article In the opening players set up their pawn structures, develop their pieces, and typically castle. The opening precedes the middlegame.

Opposite color bishops

See Bishops on opposite colors.

Opposition

Main article: Opposition (chess)

A situation in which two kings stand on the same rank, file or diagonal with one empty square between them. Direct opposition Direct opposition is when the two kings face each other along a rank or file with only one square in between The player to move may be forced to move the king to a less advantageous square. Opposition is a particularly important concept in endgames.

Outside passed pawn

Main article: Passed pawn#Outside passed pawn

A passed pawn that is near the edge of the board and far away from other pawns. In Chess, a passed pawn is a pawn with no opposing pawns to prevent it from advancing to the eighth rank, i In Chess, a passed pawn is a pawn with no opposing pawns to prevent it from advancing to the eighth rank, i In the endgame, such a pawn often constitutes a strong advantage for its owner.

Outpost

Main article: Outpost

An outpost is a square protected by a pawn that is in or near the enemy's stronghold. An outpost is a square in an open file which is protected by a pawn. Outposts are a favourable position from which to launch an attack, particularly using a knight.

Overextended

A position where a player has moved a piece or group of pieces (usually pawns) away from the rest in such a way that they are too difficult to defend.

Overloaded

Main article: Overloading (chess)

A piece that has too many defensive duties. Overloading is a Chess tactic in which a defensive piece is given an additional assignment which it cannot complete without abandoning its original assignment An overloaded piece can sometimes be deflected, or required to abandon one of its defensive duties.

Overprotection

Main article: Overprotection (chess)

The technique of massing forces in support of a strong point, often a Blockade. Overprotection in Chess is the strategy of protecting a pawn or specific square of the chessboard more than is immediately necessary

Over-the-board (OTB)

A game is said to be played over-the-board if opponents play the game face-to-face as opposed to online chess or correspondence chess. An Internet chess server ( ICS) is an external server that provides the facility to play discuss and view Chess over the Internet. Correspondence chess is Chess played by various forms of long-distance correspondence usually through a Correspondence chess server, through email or by

Overworked

Another term for Overloaded.

P

Pairing

The assignment of opponents in a tournament. Pairing is made more difficult in chess because of the need to try to give each player an equal number of games playing white and black and to try to not assign a player the same color in too many consecutive games. The most common pairing methods used in chess tournaments are round-robin and the Swiss system. A round-robin tournament or all-play-all tournament is a type of group tournament in which each participant plays every other participant an equal number of times A Swiss system tournament is a commonly used type of Tournament in Chess, bridge, Scrabble, squash, Magic The Gathering

Passive

A piece that is able to move to or control relatively few squares, also referred to as an inactive piece. See active.

Passive sacrifice

A sacrifice that need not be accepted (it can be declined without suffering a disadvantage).

Passed pawn

Main article: Passed pawn

A pawn that has no pawn of the opposite color on its file or on any adjacent files on its way to queening. In Chess, a passed pawn is a pawn with no opposing pawns to prevent it from advancing to the eighth rank, i

Passer

A passed pawn. In Chess, a passed pawn is a pawn with no opposing pawns to prevent it from advancing to the eighth rank, i

Patzer

A weak chess player, also referred to as a "fish", "woodpusher" or "duffer. " (German: patzen, to bungle. The German language (de ''Deutsch'') is a West Germanic language and one of the world's major languages. )

Pawn

see 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 his pawns, usually the king bishop pawn, removed from the board. The pawn (♙♟ is the weakest and most numerous piece in the Game of Chess, representing Infantry Opening manuals in the 19th centuries even had sections discussing best play at these odds. In Chess the word " opening " has two common meanings both of which are discussed in this article See E. Freeborough and Rev. C. E. Ranken, Chess Openings Ancient and Modern, Kegan Paul, Trench, Trübner and Co. (London), Third Edition 1896, pp. 272-76. In recent years, it has been shown that the strongest computer chess engines are able to successfully give odds of pawn and move (especially a rook pawn) even to strong grandmasters. A computer is a Machine that manipulates data according to a list of instructions. A chess engine is a Computer program that can play the game of Chess.

Pawn chain

A locked diagonal formation of pawns, each one supported by a friendly pawn diagonally behind and blocked by an enemy pawn directly ahead. Nimzovich considered pawn chains extensively, and recommended attacking the enemy pawn chain at its base as in the Advance Variation of the French Defence 1. Aron Nimzowitsch ( Ārons Ņimcovičs; born Aron Niemzowitsch and also known as Nimzovich) (7 November 1886 – 16 March 1935 was a Latvian The French Defence is a Chess opening. It is characterized by the moves 1 e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 c5 4. c3 c4. See pawn structure. In Chess, the pawn structure (sometimes known as the pawn skeleton) is the configuration of pawns on the Chessboard.

Pawn island

A group of pawns of one color on consecutive files with no other pawns of the same color on any adjacent files. A pawn island consisting of one pawn is called an isolated pawn. In Chess, an isolated pawn is a pawn for which there is no friendly pawn on an adjacent file.

Pawn storm

Main article: Pawn storm

An attacking technique where a group of pawns on one wing is advanced in order to break up the defence. A pawn storm is a Chess tactic in which several pawns are moved in rapid succession toward the opponent's defenses

Pawn structure

Main article: Pawn structure

The placement of the pawns is known as the pawn structure. In Chess, the pawn structure (sometimes known as the pawn skeleton) is the configuration of pawns on the Chessboard. 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.

Performance rating

A number reflecting the approximate rating level at which a player performed in a particular tournament or match. The Elo rating system is a method for calculating the relative skill levels of players in two-player games such as Chess and Go. A tournament (IPA) is a Competition involving a relatively large number of competitors all participating in a Sport or Game. A match is a consumable Tool for lighting a Fire under controlled circumstances on demand 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 players 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 (2800 + 2200 + 2500 + 2700, divided by four).

Perpetual check

Main article: Perpetual check

A draw forced by one player putting the opponent's king in a potentially endless series of checks. In the game of Chess, perpetual check is a situation in which one player can force a draw by an unending series of checks Such a situation typically arises

Philidor position

Main article: Philidor position

Usually refers to an important chess endgame which illustrates a drawing technique when the defender has a king and rook versus a king, rook, and pawn. Philidor's position rook and pawn versus rook Queen versus rook Rook and bishop versus rook See also Chess endgame It is also known as the third rank defence, because of the importance of the rook on the third rank cutting off the opposing king. It was analyzed by Philidor in 1777. (Also see rook and pawn versus rook endgame. Terminology In the following discussion and positions assume that the side with the pawn is white )

Piece

Main article: Chess piece

This term can mean either any chess piece including pawns (as in the touched piece rule), or a minor piece (as in "I hung a piece"), depending on context. Chess pieces vary in both value and abilities A standard chess match consists of each player having the following equipment 1 king It can also mean a major or minor piece, as in "White needs to get some pieces to the kingside".

Pin

Main article: Pin (chess)

When a piece can not move (either legally or advisedly) because doing so would expose a valuable piece, usually the king or queen, to attack. In Chess, a pin is a situation brought on by an attacking piece in which a defending piece cannot move without exposing a more valuable defending piece on its other side to capture Pins against the king are called absolute because it is then illegal to move the pinned piece.

Plan

A strategy used by a chess player to make optimal use of his advantages in a specific position while minimizing the impact of his positional disadvantages.

Ply

Main article: Ply (chess)

Term mainly used in computer chess to denote one play of either white or black. In two-player Sequential games a ply refers to one turn taken by one of the players The idea of creating a Chess -playing machine dates back to the eighteenth century Thus equal to half a move.

Poisoned Pawn

An unprotected pawn which, if captured, causes positional problems or material loss. It is also a variation of the Sicilian Defence, where some players call White's pawn on b2 a poisoned pawn. The Sicilian Defence is a Chess opening that begins with the moves 1

Portable Game Notation (PGN)

Main article: Portable Game Notation

This is a popular computer-processible ASCII format for recording chess games (both the moves and related data). Portable Game Notation (PGN is a Computer -processible format for recording chess games (both the moves and related Data) many chess programs recognize American Standard Code for Information Interchange ( ASCII)

Positional play

Play dominated more by long-term maneuvering for advantage than by short-term attacks and threats, and requiring judgment more than extensive calculation of variations, as distinguished from tactics.

Positional player

A player who specializes in positional play, as distinguished from a tactician.

Post-mortem

Analysis of a game after it has concluded, typically conducted by one or both players and sometimes spectators (kibitzers) as well.

Prepared variation

A well-analyzed novelty in the opening which is not published but first used against an opponent in competitive play.

Promotion

Main article: Promotion (chess)

Advancing a pawn to the eighth rank, converting it to a queen, rook, bishop or knight. Promotion to various pieces Promotion to a queen is the most common in practical play since the queen is the most powerful piece Promotion to a piece other than a queen is called underpromotion.

Prophylaxis

Main article: Prophylaxis (chess)

(adjectival form: prophylactic)

• a move that frustrates an opponent's plan or tactic;
• a strategy in which a player frustrates tactics initiated by the opponent until a mistake is made. Prophylaxis ( Greek προφυλαξις "prophylaxis" guarding or preventing beforehand) or a prophylactic move in Chess stops the opponent

Prophylactic techniques include the blockade, overprotection, and the mysterious rook move.

Protected passed pawn

Main article: Passed pawn

A passed pawn that is supported by another pawn. In Chess, a passed pawn is a pawn with no opposing pawns to prevent it from advancing to the eighth rank, i

Pseudo-sacrifice

See Sham sacrifice.

Push

To move a pawn forward.

Q

Q

Symbol used for the queen when recording chess moves in English.

QGA

The Queen's Gambit Accepted chess opening. The Queen's Gambit Accepted, commonly abbreviated to QGA, is a Chess opening characterized by the opening moves 1

QGD

The Queen's Gambit Declined chess opening. The Queen's Gambit Declined (QGD is a Chess opening characterized by the opening moves 1

QID

The Queen's Indian Defence chess opening. "qid" redirects here For the medical abbreviation see List of medical abbreviations#Q.

Queen

Main article: Queen (chess)

Also used as a verb for the act of promoting to a Queen, e. The queen (♕♛ is the most powerful piece in the game of Chess. g. ". . . to queen the pawn".

Queen Bishop

The bishop that was on the queenside at the start of the game. The terms Queen Knight and Queen Rook are also used. Sometimes abbreviated QB, QN, and QR respectively.

Queen 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 pawns on the a, b, and c-files respectively.

Queenside

The side of the board where the queens are at the start of the game (the a through d files), as opposed to the kingside. The queen (♕♛ is the most powerful piece in the game of Chess.

Queening

Promotion to a queen. Also called Promotion. Rarely used to indicate promotion to a knight, rook, or bishop as well (underpromotion). Promotion to various pieces Promotion to a queen is the most common in practical play since the queen is the most powerful piece

Quickplay finish

Same as "Sudden Death". This page explains commonly used terms in Chess in alphabetical order

Quiet Move

A move which does not attack or capture an enemy piece.

R

R

Symbol used for the rook when recording chess moves in English.

Raking bishops

Light and dark-square bishops that a player places on adjacent diagonals to strike the opponent's position from a distance. Raking bishops are often an advantage.

Rank

A row of the chessboard. A chessboard is the type of Checkerboard used in the Game of Chess, and consists of 64 squares (eight rows and eight columns arranged in two alternating Specific ranks are referred to by number, first rank, second rank, …, eighth rank. Unlike the case with files, rank names are always given from the point of view of each individual player, with the first rank being the home row of the king and other pieces. White's first rank is Black's eighth rank and White's eighth is Black's first, White's second rank is Black's seventh rank and White's seventh is Black's second, and so on.

Rapid chess

A form of chess with reduced time limit, usually 30 minutes per player.

Refute

Demonstrate that a strategy, move, or opening is not as good as previously thought (often, that it leads to a loss).

Related squares

See corresponding squares.

Relative pin

A pin, where it is legal to move the pinned piece. In Chess, a pin is a situation brought on by an attacking piece in which a defending piece cannot move without exposing a more valuable defending piece on its other side to capture See absolute pin.

Resign

To concede loss of the game. A resignation is usually indicated by stopping the clocks, and sometimes by offering a handshake or saying "I resign". A resignation is the formal act of giving up or quitting one's office or position The traditional way to resign is by tipping over one's king, but this is rarely done nowadays.

Romantic chess

Main article: Romantic chess

Romantic chess was the style of chess prevalent in the 19th century. Romantic chess was the style of Chess prevalent in the 19th century It is characterized by bold attacks and sacrifices.

Rook

see rook

Rook lift

A maneuver that places a rook in front of its own pawns, often on the third or fourth rank. A rook, (♖ ♜ borrowed from Persian رخ rokh, Sanskrit rath, "chariot" also known as a castle is a piece in the A rook, (♖ ♜ borrowed from Persian رخ rokh, Sanskrit rath, "chariot" also known as a castle is a piece in the The pawn (♙♟ is the weakest and most numerous piece in the Game of Chess, representing Infantry 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. In Chess, a half-open file, or semi-open file is a file with no pawns of one color An open file in chess is a file with no pawns of either color on it

Rook pawn

A pawn on the rook's file, i. e. the a-file or h-file.

Round-robin tournament

Main article: Round-robin tournament

This is a tournament in which each participant plays every other participant an equal number of times. A round-robin tournament or all-play-all tournament is a type of group 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. An example of the former is the Hastings 1895 chess tournament, an example of the latter is the Piatigorsky Cup. The Hastings 1895 chess tournament was a Round-robin tournament of Chess conducted in Hastings, England from August 5 to September 2 1895 The Piatigorsky Cup was a triennial series of double round-robin grandmaster Chess tournaments held in the United States in the 1960s This type of tournament is commonly used if the number of participants is relatively small. See also Swiss system tournament.

Royal fork

A fork between king and queen. In Chess, a fork is a tactic that uses one piece to attack two or more of the opponent's pieces at the same time hoping to achieve material gain (by capturing

S

Sac

Short for sacrifice, usually used to describe a sacrifice for a mating attack. In the game of Chess, a sacrifice is a move giving up a piece or pawn in the hopes of gaining tactical or positional compensation in other forms

Sacrifice

Main article: Sacrifice (chess)

When one player voluntarily gives up material in return for an advantage such as space, development, or an attack. In the game of Chess, a sacrifice is a move giving up a piece or pawn in the hopes of gaining tactical or positional compensation in other forms A sacrifice in the opening is called a gambit.

Sans voir

(from the French) See Blindfold chess.

Scholar's mate

Main article: Scholar's mate

A four-move checkmate (common among novices) in which White plays 1. In Chess, scholar's mate is the Checkmate which occurs after the moves 1 e4, follows with Qh5 (or Qf3) and Bc4, and finishes with 4. Qxf7#.

Score

A record of the moves of a particular game, usually expressed in algebraic notation.

Score sheet

The sheet of paper used to record a game in process. During formal games, it is usual for both players to record the game using a score sheet.

Sealed Move

Lengthy over the board games can be adjourned. To prevent unfair advantage, the players can agree on the next move being secretly recorded in a sealed envelope. Upon resumption, the arbiter makes the sealed move and the game continues. See also Adjournment. To adjourn means to suspend until a later stated time Law In Law, adjournment means to suspend proceedings to another time or place

Second

An assistant, often hired to help a player in preparation for and during a major match or tournament.

See-saw

See Windmill.

Semi-Open Game

Main article: Semi-Open Game

A chess opening that begins with White playing 1. A Semi-Open Game is a Chess opening in which White plays 1e4 and Black breaks symmetry immediately by replying with a move other than 1 In Chess the word " opening " has two common meanings both of which are discussed in this article e4 and Black replying with a move other than 1. . . e5. Also called Half-open or Asymmetrical King Pawn openings. See also open game and closed game.

Semi-Closed Game

Main article: Semi-Closed Game

A chess opening that begins with White playing 1. A Semi-Closed Game (or Semi-Closed Opening) is a Chess opening in which White opens with the queen's pawn 1 In Chess the word " opening " has two common meanings both of which are discussed in this article d4 and Black replying with a move other than 1. . . d5. See also open game and closed game.

Sham sacrifice

An offer of material which is made at no risk, as acceptance would lead to the gain of equal or greater material or checkmate. Checkmate (frequently shortened to mate) is a situation in Chess (and in other Boardgames of the Chaturanga family in which one player's This is in contrast to a true sacrifice which the compensation is less tangible. Also called a pseudo-sacrifice.

Sharp

Risky, double-edged, highly tactical. Sharp can be used to describe moves, maneuvers, positions, and styles of play.

Simplification

A strategy of exchanging pieces of equal value. Simplification can be used defensively to reduce the size of an attacking force. It can also be used by a player with an advantage in order to amplify that advantage or reduce the opponent's counterplay. Simplification is also used as an attempt to obtain a draw, or as an attempt to gain an advantage by players who are strong in endgame play with simplified positions. In Chess, a draw is one of the possible outcomes of a game the others being a win for white and a win for black Also liquidation and trading.

Simultaneous chess

Main article: Simultaneous exhibition

A form of chess in which one (usually expert) player plays against several (usually novice) players simultaneously. A simultaneous exhibition or simultaneous display (often abbreviated to "simul" is an event where one player (commonly a Chess master or grandmaster Is often an exhibition.

Skewer

Main article: Skewer (chess)

An attack to a valuable piece, compelling it to move to avoid capture and thus exposing a less valuable piece which can then be taken. In Chess, a skewer (or thrust) is an attack upon two pieces in a line and is similar to a pin. Also called an X-ray attack.

Skittles

A casual or "pick-up" 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 match.

Smothered mate

Main article: Smothered mate

A checkmate delivered by a knight in which the mated king is unable to move owing to it being surrounded (or smothered) by its own pieces. In Chess, a smothered mate is a Checkmate delivered by a knight in which the mated king is unable to move because he is surrounded (or smothered The knight (♘ ♞ sometimes referred to by players as a 'horse' is a piece in the Game of Chess, representing a Knight (armoured cavalry

Sound

Correct. A sound sacrifice has sufficient compensation, a sound opening or variation has no known refutation, and a sound composition has no cooks. In the game of Chess, a sacrifice is a move giving up a piece or pawn in the hopes of gaining tactical or positional compensation in other forms In Chess the word " opening " has two common meanings both of which are discussed in this article A chess problem, also called a chess composition, is a puzzle set by somebody using Chess pieces on a Chess board that presents the solver with

Space

The squares controlled by a player. A player controlling more squares than the other is said to have a spatial advantage.

Spanish bishop

A White king bishop developed to the b5 square. Algebraic chess notation is used to record and describe the moves in a game of Chess. This is characteristic of the Ruy Lopez, also known as the Spanish Opening. The Ruy Lopez, called the Spanish Opening or Spanish Game outside English speaking countries, is a Chess opening characterised by the moves

Spite check

A check given by a player who is about to be checkmated. In games such as Chess, Shogi, and Xiangqi, a check is an immediate threat to capture the king (or general in xiangqi Checkmate (frequently shortened to mate) is a situation in Chess (and in other Boardgames of the Chaturanga family in which one player's It serves no other purpose than to delay the defeat.

Squeeze

• Gradually increasing the pressure of a bind.
• Sometimes a synonym for zugzwang that is not a mutual zugzwang. Zugzwang ' is also a musical work by Juan Maria Solare. Zugzwang' ( German for "compulsion to move" ˈtsuːktsvaŋ

Stalemate

Main article: Stalemate

A position in which the player whose turn it is to move has no legal move and his king is not in check. Stalemate is a situation in Chess where the player whose turn it is to move is not in check but has no legal moves A stalemate results in an immediate draw.

Staunton chessmen

Main article: Staunton chess set

The standard design of chess pieces, required for use in competition. The Staunton chess set is composed of a particular type of Chess pieces used to play the game of Chess.

Stem game

A stem game is the chess game featuring the first use of a particular opening variation. Sometimes, the player or the venue of the stem game is then used to refer to that opening.

Sudden death

The most straightforward time control for a chess game: each player has a fixed amount of time available to make all moves.

Swindle

Main article: Swindle (chess)

A ruse by which a player in a losing position tricks his opponent, and thereby achieves a win or draw instead of the expected loss. In Chess, a swindle is a Ruse by which a player in a losing position tricks his opponent and thereby achieves a win or draw instead of the expected loss It may also refer more generally to achieving a win or draw from a clearly losing position. See also cheapo.

Swiss tournament

Main article: Swiss tournament

This is a tournament that uses the Swiss system to determine player pairings. A Swiss system tournament is a commonly used type of Tournament in Chess, bridge, Scrabble, squash, Magic The Gathering The basic idea is that every round each player is paired with an opponent with the same (or close to the same) score. The 33rd Chess Olympiad is an example of a Swiss tournament. The 33rd Chess Olympiad, organized by the Fédération Internationale des Échecs and comprising an open and women's tournament took place between September See also Round-robin tournament.

T

Tabia or Tabiya

(from Arabic)

1. The initial position of the pieces in Shatranj
2. The final position of a well-known chess opening
3. (from 2) The opening position from which two players familiar with each others' tastes begin play. Arabic (ar الْعَرَبيّة (informally ar عَرَبيْ) in terms of the number of speakers is the largest living member of the Semitic language Shatranj is an old form of Chess, which has been popular in Persia and the Middle East for almost 1000 years In Chess the word " opening " has two common meanings both of which are discussed in this article

Tablebase

See Endgame tablebase.

Tactician

A player who specializes in tactical play, as distinguished from a "positional player. "

Tactics

Main article: Chess tactics

Play characterized by short-term attacks and threats, often requiring extensive calculation by the players, as distinguished from positional play. In Chess, a tactic refers to a short sequence of moves which limits the opponent's options and may result in tangible gain

Takeback

Used in casual games when both players agree to undo one or more moves.

Tarrasch rule

Main article: Tarrasch rule

Named after Siegbert Tarrasch, this refers to the general principle that rooks should be placed behind passed pawns. Reasons The advance of the passed pawn lengthens the range of a rook behind and reduces the range of a rook in front Siegbert Tarrasch ( March 5, 1862 &ndash February 17, 1934) was one of the strongest Chess players and most influential chess

TD

See Tournament director.

Tempo

Main article: Tempo (chess)

An extra move, an initiative at development. In Chess, tempo refers to a "turn" or single move When a player achieves a desired result in one fewer moves he "gains a tempo" and conversely when A player gains a tempo (usually in the opening) by making the opponent move the same piece twice or defend an enemy piece. In the endgame, one may wish to lose a tempo by triangulation to gain against the opposition. (Plural: tempos or tempi).

Text move

This term is used in written analysis of chess games to refer to a move that has been played in the game as opposed to other possible moves. Text moves are usually in bold whereas analysis moves are not.

Theoretical Novelty (TN)

A new move in the opening. Also called simply a "novelty. "

Threat

A plan or move that, if left unattended, would result in an immediate depreciation of the opponents position.

Threefold repetition

Main article: 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 same set of legal moves each time (the latter includes the right to take en passant and the right to castle). In Chess and some other Abstract strategy games, the threefold repetition rule (also known as repetition of position) states that a player can claim a

Tiebreaks

Main article: 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. Tie-break systems are used in Chess Swiss system tournaments to break ties between players who have the same total number of points after the last round A Swiss system tournament is a commonly used type of Tournament in Chess, bridge, Scrabble, squash, Magic The Gathering

Time

Opportunities to make moves: similar meaning to tempo. In Chess, tempo refers to a "turn" or single move When a player achieves a desired result in one fewer moves he "gains a tempo" and conversely when A move that does not alter the position significantly is described as "wasting time", and forcing the other player to waste time is described as "gaining time".

Time control

Main article: Time control

The allowed time to finish a game, usually measured by a chess clock. A time control is a mechanism in the tournament play of almost all two-player Board games so that each round of the match can finish in a timely way and the tournament can A game clock consists of two adjacent Clocks and buttons to stop one clock while starting the other such that the two component clocks never run simultaneously A time control can require either a certain number of moves be made per time period (e. g. , 40 moves in 2½ hours) or it can limit the length of the entire game (e. g. , 5 minutes per game for blitz). Fast chess, also known as blitz chess, lightning chess, bullet chess and rapid chess, is a type of Chess game in which each side is Hybrid schemes are used, and time delay controls have become popular since the widespread use of digital clocks.

Time delay

A time control which 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 or time trouble

Having very little time on one's clock (especially less than five minutes) to complete one's remaining moves. A game clock consists of two adjacent Clocks and buttons to stop one clock while starting the other such that the two component clocks never run simultaneously See Time control. A time control is a mechanism in the tournament play of almost all two-player Board games so that each round of the match can finish in a timely way and the tournament can

Toilet move

Coined by Nigel Short, a quickly played move described as "any move which doesn't immediately jeopardise your position" allowing the player time to visit the toilet while his opponent thinks. Nigel David Short MBE (born June 1, 1965 in Leigh, Lancashire) is often regarded as the strongest British Chess

Top board

In team chess, the player who is assigned to face the strongest opponents. Also called first board. 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.

Touched piece rule

Main article: Touch-move rule

The rule requiring a player who touches a piece that has at least one legal move to move that piece (and, if the player moves the piece to a particular square and takes his hand off it, to move it to that square). The touch-move rule is used in serious Chess play If a player intentionally touches a piece on the board when it is his term to move then he must Castling must be initiated by moving the king first, so a player who touches his rook may be required to move it, without castling. The rule also requires a player who touches an opponent's piece to capture it if possible. A player wishing to touch a piece to adjust its position on a square without being required to move it signals this intent by saying "J'adoube" or "I adjust". This way of playing is common in official games, in favour of clock move.

Tournament

Main article: 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 (IPA) is a Competition involving a relatively large number of competitors all participating in a Sport or Game. 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. Tournaments are usually referred to by combining the city in which they were played with the year, as in London 1851, although there are well known exceptions such as AVRO. London 1851 was the first international Chess tournament The tournament was conceived and organised by English player Howard Staunton, and marked the first time that

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. David Ionovich Bronstein (Дави́д Ио́нович Бронште́йн February 19 1924 &ndash December 5 2006) was renowned as a leading

Tournament director (TD)

Organizer and arbiter of a tournament, responsible for enforcing the tournament rules and the Laws of Chess. The rules of chess (also known as the laws of chess) are rules governing the play of the game of Chess. Also tournament controller (chiefly British).

Transposition

Main article: Transposition (chess)

Arriving at a position using a different sequence of moves. A transposition in Chess is a sequence of moves that results in a position which may also be reached by another more common sequence of moves

Trap

A move which may tempt the opponent to play a losing move. See also Swindle.

Trébuchet

a position of mutual zugzwang in which either player would lose if it is his turn to move. Zugzwang ' is also a musical work by Juan Maria Solare. Zugzwang' ( German for "compulsion to move" ˈtsuːktsvaŋ

Triangulation

Main article: Triangulation (chess)

A technique used in king and pawn endgames (less commonly seen with other pieces) to lose a tempo and gain the opposition. Triangulation is a tactic used in Chess to put one's opponent in Zugzwang.

U

Undermining

Main article: Undermining (chess)

This is a chess 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. Undermining (also known as Removal of the Guard is a Chess tactic in which a defensive piece is captured leaving one of the opponent's pieces undefended or underdefended In Chess, a tactic refers to a short sequence of moves which limits the opponent's options and may result in tangible gain

Underpromotion

Main article: Promotion (chess)

Promoting a pawn to a rook, bishop, or knight instead of a queen. Promotion to various pieces Promotion to a queen is the most common in practical play since the queen is the most powerful piece Rarely seen unless the knight can deliver a crucial check, or promotion to a rook instead of a queen is necessary to avoid stalemate. In games such as Chess, Shogi, and Xiangqi, a check is an immediate threat to capture the king (or general in xiangqi Stalemate is a situation in Chess where the player whose turn it is to move is not in check but has no legal moves

Unpinning

the act of breaking a pin. In Chess, a pin is a situation brought on by an attacking piece in which a defending piece cannot move without exposing a more valuable defending piece on its other side to capture This allows the piece that was formerly pinned to move.

United States Chess Federation (USCF)

Main article: United States Chess Federation

This is a non-profit organization, the governing chess organization within the United States, and one of the federations of the FIDE. The United States Chess Federation ( USCF) is a non-profit organization the governing Chess organization within the United States, and one of the federations The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Fédération Internationale des Échecs or World Chess Federation is an international organization that connects the various national Chess federations around the

Unorthodox opening

Main article: Unorthodox opening

See Irregular opening. Irregular openings are Chess openings with an unusual first move from White

V

Vacating sacrifice

A sacrifice made for the purpose of clearing a square for a different piece of the same color. In the game of Chess, a sacrifice is a move giving up a piece or pawn in the hopes of gaining tactical or positional compensation in other forms

Valve

A move which opens one line and closes another.

Variant

Main article: Chess variant

A chess-like game played using a different board, pieces, or rules than standard chess. A chess variant is a Game derived from related to or similar to Chess in at least one respect

Variation

Main article: Variation (game tree)

A sequence of moves or alternative line of play, often applied to the opening. A Variation can refer to a specific sequence of successive moves in a turn-based game often used to specify a hypothetical future state of a game that is being played In Chess the word " opening " has two common meanings both of which are discussed in this article A variation does not have to have been played in a game, it may also be a possibility that occurs only in analysis. 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. In Chess, one of the main variations of the Sicilian Defence, the Dragon Variation begins 1 The Sicilian Defence is a Chess opening that begins with the moves 1

W

Waiting move

A passive but harmless move, which is played while waiting for initiative from the opponent.

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.

WFM

Abbreviation for the Woman FIDE Master title.

WGM

Abbreviation for the Woman Grandmaster title.

White

Main article: White and Black in chess

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. In Chess, the player who moves first is referred to as "White" and the player who moves second is referred to as "Black Chess pieces vary in both value and abilities A standard chess match consists of each player having the following equipment 1 king Similarly, the light-colored squares on the chessboard are often referred to as "the white squares" even though they often are not literally white. A chessboard is the type of Checkerboard used in the Game of Chess, and consists of 64 squares (eight rows and eight columns arranged in two alternating See also Black, First move advantage in chess. This page explains commonly used terms in Chess in alphabetical order The first-move advantage in chess refers to the inherent advantage of the player (called White) who makes the first move in Chess.

WIM

Abbreviation for the Woman International Master title.

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. Checkmate (frequently shortened to mate) is a situation in Chess (and in other Boardgames of the Chaturanga family in which one player's A resignation is the formal act of giving up or quitting one's office or position A time control is a mechanism in the tournament play of almost all two-player Board games so that each round of the match can finish in a timely way and the tournament can Asset forfeiture is a term used to describe the confiscation of Assets, by the State, which are either (a the proceeds of Crime or (b the instrumentalities Tournament directors typically perform a number of key functions at sporting events of all kinds including Martial arts tournaments major field sport tournaments Contract Chess being a zero-sum game, this results in a loss for the other player. In Game theory and Economic theory, zero-sum describes a situation in which a participant's gain or loss is exactly balanced by the losses or gains of the other This page explains commonly used terms in Chess in alphabetical order

Win/winning position

A position is said to be a win (or a winning position) if one specified side, with correct play, can eventually force a checkmate against any defence (i. e. perfect defence).

Windmill

Main article: Windmill (chess)

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. In Chess, a windmill is a tactic in which a combination of discovered checks and regular checks, usually by a rook and a In Chess, a combination is a relatively long sequence of moves often initiated by a sacrifice which leaves the opponent few options and results in tangible gain In games such as Chess, Shogi, and Xiangqi, a check is an immediate threat to capture the king (or general in xiangqi In Chess, the King (♔ ♚ is the most important piece. The object of the game is to trap the opponent's king so that it would not be able to avoid capture 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. In Chess, tempo refers to a "turn" or single move When a player achieves a desired result in one fewer moves he "gains a tempo" and conversely when The most famous example is Torre–Lasker, Moscow 1925. Carlos Torre Repetto (23 November 1905 in Mérida Yucatán – 19 March 1978 in Mérida Yucatán was a Chess grandmaster from Mexico. Also called a see-saw.

Wing

The queenside a, b, and c-files, or the kingside f, g, and h-files, also called flank.

Wing Gambit

Main article: Wing Gambit

Is the name given to the branches of several openings in which one player gambits a wing pawn, usually the b pawn. In Chess, Wing Gambit is the name given to the branches of several openings in which White Gambits his b-pawn against the opponents c-pawn

Woman FIDE Master (WFM)

Main article: Woman FIDE Master

A women-only chess title ranking below Woman International Master.

Woman Grandmaster (WGM)

Main article: Woman Grandmaster

The highest ranking gender-restricted chess title except for Women's World Champion.

Woman International Master (WIM)

Main article: Woman International Master

A women-only chess title ranking below Woman Grandmaster and above Woman FIDE Master.

Woodpusher

A weak chess player, also referred to as a "fish", "patzer" or "duffer. "

X

X-ray attack

Main article: X-ray (chess)

See Skewer. In Chess, an x-ray or x-ray attack is a tactic where a ranged piece supports a friendly piece "through" an enemy piece

Z

Zeitnot

(from the German) See Time pressure.

Zonal Tournaments

Tournaments organised by the FIDE, the first qualifying cycle of the World Chess Championship. Fédération Internationale des Échecs or World Chess Federation is an international organization that connects the various national Chess federations around the See also Development of the World Chess Championship The World Chess Championship is played to determine the World Champion in the Board game Chess Each zonal tournament features top players of a certain geographical zone. The winners are then qualified for the interzonal tournament.

Zugzwang

Main article: Zugzwang

(from the German) When a player is put at a disadvantage by having to make a move; where any legal move weakens the position. Zugzwang ' is also a musical work by Juan Maria Solare. Zugzwang' ( German for "compulsion to move" ˈtsuːktsvaŋ Zugzwang usually occurs in the endgame, and rarely in the middlegame.

Zwischenzug

Main article: Zwischenzug

(from the German) An "in-between" move played before the expected reply. The zwischenzug ( German for "intermediate move" ˈtsvɪʃənˌtsuːk is a Chess tactic in which a player instead of playing the expected move

See also

• Sample chess game
• Chess problem terminology

References

• Brace, Edward R. This is a list of terms used in Chess problems. For a list of unorthodox pieces used in chess problems see Fairy chess piece. (1977), An Illustrated Dictionary of Chess, Hamlyn Publishing Group, ISBN 1-55521-394-4 
• Brace, Edward R. (1979), An Illustrated Dictionary of Chess, Hamlyn Publishing Group, ISBN 0-600-32920-8 
• Burgess, Graham (2000), The Mammoth Book of Chess, Carroll & Graf Publishers, ISBN 0-7867-0725-9 
• Evans, Larry (1967), New Ideas in Chess, Cornerstone Library (1984 Dover edition, ISBN 0-486-28305-4 
• Golombek, Harry, ed. For the football player of the same name see Larry Evans (football player. Dover Publications is an American book Publisher founded in 1941 by Hayward Cirker and his wife Blanche Harry Golombek OBE ( March 1[[ 911]]– January 7 1995) was a British Chess International Master and honorary grandmaster (1977), Golombek's Encyclopedia of Chess, Batsford, ISBN 0-517-53146-1 
• Hooper, David & Whyld, Kenneth (1992), The Oxford Companion to Chess (second ed. David Vincent Hooper ( 31 August 1915 - May 1998 born in Reigate, was a British Chess player and writer Kenneth Whyld ( March 6, 1926 - July 11, 2003) was a British Chess author and researcher best known as the co-author (with The Oxford Companion to Chess is a reference Book on Chess written by David Hooper and Kenneth Whyld. ), Oxford: Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-280049-3 
• Horton, Byrne Joseph (1959), Dictionary of modern chess, Owen, ISBN 0-8022-0746-4 
• 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 
• Zelepukhin, N. Bruce Pandolfini is a Chess author teacher and coach He was famously portrayed by Ben Kingsley in the 1993 film Searching for Bobby Fischer P. (1982), Dictionary of Chess, French & European Pubns, ISBN 0-8288-2350-2 

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