Learn chess

Chess Guides

Short, practical guides to the patterns that decide real games — each one paired with a free interactive drill so you can practice immediately against Stockfish.

• How to Checkmate with King and Queen
  Learn the king and queen checkmate step by step: the box method, avoiding stalemate, and finishing cleanly. Practice free against Stockfish.
• How to Checkmate with King and Rook
  The king and rook checkmate explained: the box method, using your king, and the waiting move. Drill it against perfect defense for free.
• Two Bishops Checkmate: How to Herd the King
  How to checkmate with two bishops: build the diagonal wall, herd the king to a corner, and avoid stalemate. Practice against Stockfish free.
• Opposition in King and Pawn Endgames
  The opposition explained: key squares, the rule of thumb that wins king and pawn endgames, and when the position is a dead draw.
• Back-Rank Mate: The Pattern Every Player Must Know
  The back-rank mate explained with examples: how to spot it, how to threaten it, and when to make luft. Train it with free tactics puzzles.
• Smothered Mate: The Knight’s Royal Finish
  The smothered mate pattern explained step by step, including the famous queen sacrifice (Philidor’s legacy). Practice mate puzzles free.
• Scholar’s Mate: How It Works and How to Stop It
  The four-move checkmate (Scholar’s Mate) explained — the attack, the refutation, and why it fails against prepared players.
• How to Read Chess Notation (PGN and FEN)
  Algebraic chess notation, PGN game format, and FEN position strings explained simply — with a free viewer to paste your own games into.