The Journal
Notes from the desk.
Short essays on training, tactics and chess culture — written around the board you play on.
Latest edition
Training
No. 37
FIDE’s rapid and blitz fee waiver: what it means for your next event
27 October 2026 · Training
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.
3 min read · Read the edition →
Archive
Tactics
No. 35
The Immortal Game: the quiet pawn behind the queen sacrifice
The Immortal Game: the quiet pawn behind the queen sacrifice
Why can’t Black’s queen take the offered queen on f6? Revisit our Immortal Game video, trace the blocked diagonal and test both legal replies to the final check.
23 October 2026 · Tactics · 3 min
Tactics
No. 33
The Opera Game: why 16.Qb8+ clears the way to mate
The Opera Game: why 16.Qb8+ clears the way to mate
Revisit our August Opera Game video with one precise challenge: draw the d7 knight away, open the rook’s path and explain why the final rook cannot be captured.
16 October 2026 · Tactics · 3 min
New editions Tuesday and Friday. Retrospectives show their archive date and actual publication date.