Andrew Hercules

Chessbase 16 Review: How Much Does It Cost & Is It Worth Buying?

Reviews By Andrew Hercules

I wouldn’t be exaggerating when I say 99% of titled players use Chessbase as a tool for chess improvement. Most of these players I know use it more than any other offline or online tool. Chessbase has a ton of cool features which I will be sharing inside this review article. This program is great […]

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How To Become A Grandmaster In Chess

How To Become A Grandmaster In Chess

By Andrew Hercules

Opening preparations – You have to be an expert in this by understanding your variations and the relevant theories. Computational skills – Improve your computational skills, making your calculations systematic and solving the complex chess puzzles to boost your recognition of patterns. Endgame skills – Be sure to master this exceedingly by studying the core […]

Giuoco Piano Mainline

Giuoco Piano Mainline

By Andrew Hercules

The mainline of the the Guioco piano begins with the moves 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nc6 3 Bc4 Bc5 The Giuoco (known outside the English-speaking world as the “Italian Game”) is a fifteenth century opening that has stood the test of time. The name means quiet, or mild, game in contrast to various gambits […]

King's Gambit Mainline

King's Gambit Mainline

By Andrew Hercules

The King’s Gambit begins with the moves 1 e4 e5 2 f4 and is the start of the mainline. The King’s Gambit is part of the mythology of chess. For more than a hundred years this opening has represented a lost golden age, a nobler past of swashbucking sacrifice and gung-ho attack, when few players were […]

Why Are Chess Sets So Expensive?

Why Are Chess Sets So Expensive?

By Andrew Hercules

If you have played chess for some time, you will note that chess sets are really expensive. Your next logical question of course is why exactly this is the case. This is not a question that may be answered straight away. We hence draft and dedicate this long article to that end.  In a nutshell, […]

Where Can I Play Chess Online For Free?

Where Can I Play Chess Online For Free?

By Andrew Hercules

Chess is a game and a sport that has gained a great deal of popularity lately. One popular TV show – The Queen’s Gambit singlehandedly brought probably tens of thousands if not more, new players into this amazing game. There’s a popular saying that chess is easy to learn but difficult to master and that is […]

Is En Passant Legal?

Is En Passant Legal?

By Andrew Hercules

Many beginner players are startled after first seeing en passant in a game of chess. The word is of French origin which translate to mean ‘in passing”. Now you may be asking “is en passant legal?” Yes, En passant is 100%  fair and legal move in chess. In the 15th century, the game was revised to […]

Can You Pass A Pawn Without Taking It?

Can You Pass A Pawn Without Taking It?

By Andrew Hercules

It’s important to understand the rules of the chess game if we wish to make any significant progress. One piece that most beginner players find difficult to learn to move are the pawns. Pawns are the soul of chess and are lined across the second rank of the board. They move only one square forward […]

What Happens If King Cannot Move?

What Happens If King Cannot Move?

By Andrew Hercules

The king is the most important piece in chess simply because it’s capture represents the loss of a game. Therefore, the protection of our king should be our top priority. There comes a point in our chess games where our king is exposed to mating threats and thus we should take the necessary precautions to […]

Can You Checkmate Without Check?

Can You Checkmate Without Check?

By Andrew Hercules

The term check refers to an immediate threat on the opponent’s king forcing him to move to a safer square or defend with one of his pieces. When we talk about checkmate however, this is when the king is under attack but has no legal moves to erase the threat. The game is over. With […]

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