Notes from the desk.
Short essays on training, tactics and chess culture — written around the board you play on.
FIDE’s rapid and blitz fee waiver: what it means for your next event
FIDE has extended its rapid and blitz rating-fee waiver through 2027. Separate that federation charge from tournament entry costs, then prepare for one manageable first event.
Train in Order
Chess skills stack — literally. Introducing the Curriculum: six stages, everything in the house, arranged the way a player actually grows.
Streaks Without Burnout
A daily streak is a habit engine or a guilt machine, depending entirely on how you set the bar.
Why Playing Friends Makes You Better, Faster
Anonymous opponents give you games. A regular rival gives you a mirror, a rhythm and a reason to fix the thing you keep getting wrong.
Choosing an Opening Repertoire Honestly
Most repertoire advice is aspirational. Pick openings for the positions you enjoy defending at three in the afternoon, not the ones you admire.
Leaderboards, and When to Ignore Them
A ranking is a good servant and a poor master. The trick is knowing which weeks are which.
New editions Tuesday and Friday. Retrospectives show their archive date and actual publication date.