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.
October's Rating Movers: Turn the Headlines into a Training Habit
The October FIDE list highlighted strong Olympiad performances. Use the news to build a small, repeatable review habit of your own.
Uzbekistan and China Take Gold: A Team-Chess Lesson from Samarkand
Uzbekistan and China topped the Olympiad. Try a simple review exercise that turns an individual game into a shared learning session.
Poland's Olympiad Gold and the Work of Welcoming Every Player
Poland won gold in Samarkand. Our practical challenge: make your next chess session easier for another person to join and enjoy.
A chess lesson should leave you able to do something
FIDE’s September education summit announcement inspires a beginner lesson with one clear goal: explain a rook’s route and spot a blocker.
A chess film needs a question, not just a brilliant move
A September State of Chess recap prompts a simple storytelling exercise: pause, predict, explain and return to the board.
Praggnanandhaa’s Grand Chess Tour comeback: build a better reset
Revisit the 2026 Tour final, then try a practical routine for recovering after a loss and making decisions that fit the match score.
Wesley So’s third Sinquefield Cup: practise the art of staying in the game
A retrospective on So’s title, plus a simple exercise for finding defensive resources and discussing difficult positions with a friend.
New editions Tuesday and Friday. Retrospectives show their archive date and actual publication date.