Types of Center control in Chess

There are 2 types of Center control in Chess: Direct and Indirect

Direct control --> Pawns --> Occupy and Control the Center

Indirect control --> Pieces --> Control the Center remotely

Direct control (pawns) is better than Indirect control (pieces).

3 phases or stages of a Chess game: Opening, Middle Game, Endgame

The 3 phases or stages of a Chess game are the Opening, Middle Game and the Endgame

How to defend a Check in Chess

There are 3 ways to defend a Check in Chess

1. Move the King away from Check
2. Block the Check with another Piece/Pawn
3. Capture the Piece/Pawn giving Check

More details on my Lichess study

Chess Coordinates Training

Here is the link to practice Chess coordinates.

Square Name = File Name + Rank Name

https://lichess.org/training/coordinate

Two Strongest Moves in Chess - Check and Capture

 

Chess Square Names (Notation)

Square Name = File Name + Rank Name

Chess Course for Beginners at Nagesh Chess Academy

Below are the topics of the Chess Course for Beginners at Nagesh Chess Academy

1. Introduction to Chess
2. History
3. About the Chess Board
4. Files, Ranks & Diagonals
5. Chess Notation (Algebraic)
6. Square Names
7. Starting Position
8. Movement of Chess Pieces & Pawns
9. Capture
10. Check and Checkmate
11. Castling
12. Value of Chess Pieces
13. Exchange Value of Pieces
14. En-Passant
15. Pawn Promotion
16. Draw
17. Importance of the Center
18. How to record a Position (FEN)
19. How to record a Game
20. Basic Strategy

CENTER in Chess

The Center is the most important area of the Chess board. It has four squares: e4, d4, e5, d5

 

Best Center for White and Black

In the beginning of the game, it is very important to control the Center of the chessboard with your pawns.
Below is the best Center for White since both pawns on e4 & d4 occupy 2 squares of the center and control the other 2 squares.

Below is the best Center for Black since both pawns on e5 & d5 occupy 2 squares of the center and control the other 2 squares.

Ways to Improve your Chess

Every Chess Player is trying to improve their game. There are many ways to do this. Below links help you to improve your chess - follow the steps and start winning more games.
8 Shortcuts To Chess Improvement
From Beginner to Chess Expert in 12 Steps
10 Tips to Winning Chess
5 Ways to Improve Your Chess
10 secret obstacles

Learn the Basics of Chess on Nagesh Chess Academy

Learn the basics of Chess with this Online Course on Nagesh Chess Academy.com

Boden's Mate

This is a checkmating pattern with the two Bishops criss-crossing the enemy King.
The mate is known from the friendly game played below.
Schulder - Boden, London 1853

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 d6
3. c3 f5
4. Bc4 Nf6
5. d4 fxe4
6. dxe5 exf3
7. exf6 Qxf6
8. gxf3 Nc6
9. f4 Bd7
10. Be3 0-0-0
11. Nd2 Re8
12. Qf3 Bf5
13. 0-0-0? d5!
14. Bxd5? Qxc3+!
15. bxc3 Ba3#

More details on Wiki, Chess.com & Chesshistory
Games with Boden's mate pattern
Boden's Mate Video

Rules of Tournament Chess

1. Basic Rules of Chess apply.

2. Touch and Move rule to be strictly followed.
3. For Swiss league, all players to play all the rounds, irrespective of win or loss. Final results are as per the total points gained at the end of the tournament.
For Knockout, players who win will progress to the next level.
4. In case of points tie, tiebreak will be applied as per the arbiter's decision (either Progressive or SB).
5. For any doubts, ask the Arbiter, do not discuss with other players.
6. Recording the moves may or may not be mandatory. Check the tournament rules.
7. Never interfere with another game in progress. Observe from far away, do not go near the players. Never comment anything near the players.
8. Turn off your mobile phone or keep it in silent mode.
9. Understand how to use a chess clock; as the Arbiter if you have doubts.
10. After your game is over, submit the proper results to the Arbiter.

FIDE HandBook  
Wiki Links: Basic Rules Chess    Tournament Rules

How to record a Position

A simple way to record a position is to note down all the pieces with the squares on which they are placed.

For example the Starting Position would be recorded as below:
White: Ke1, Qd1, Ra1, Rh1, Bc1, Bf1, Nb1, Ng1, a2, b2, c2, d2, e2, f2, g2, h2
Black: Ke8, Qd8, Ra8, Rh8, Bc8, Bf8, Nb8, Ng8, a7, b7, c7, d7, e7, f7, g7, h7

Another popular way is the Forsyth Notation

Legal's Mate

Another famous trap involving a Queen sacrifice is the Legal's Mate.

One example sequence of moves:
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bc4 d6
4. Nc3 Bg4?!
5. h3 Bh5?
6. Nxe5! Bxd1??
7. Bxf7+ Ke7
8. Nd5# mate

Learn this trap from my Lichess study, Wiki, Chess.com, Chessfox

How to prevent Scholar's Mate

Read about the Scholar's Mate here

To prevent Scholar's mate, you must guard against the double attack on the f7 (or f2) pawn. This can be done by g7-g6 (or g2-g3 for white).

Scholar's Mate

One of the most common opening traps is the Scholar's Mate where the Queen and Bishop combine to deliver mate on the f7 (or f2) pawn.

For White

1. e2-e4 e7-e7

2. Bf1-c4 Nb8-c6

3. Qd1-h5 Ng8-f6 (blunder)

4. Qh5xf7#

For Black

1. e2-e4 e7-e5

2. Nb1-c3 Bf8-c5

3. Bf1-c4 Qd8-h4

4. Ng1-f3 (blunder) Qh4xf2#

Learn this trap on my Lichess study

Play through this mate on Chess

More on Wiki

Fool's Mate

The shortest possible way to checkmate in a game in just 2 moves is Fool's Mate.

1. f2-f3 e7-e5

2. g2-g4 (blunder) Qd8-h4#

The same idea for white

1. e2-e4 f7-f6

2. d2-d4 g7-g5 (blunder)

3. Qd1-h5#

Details on Wiki & Chesscorner

Learn this trap on my Lichess study

Play through this mate on Chess

ICA Basic Course

Itech Chess Academy - Chess Basics Course

1. What is Chess
2. History of Chess
3. Chessmen
4. About the Chessboard
5. Chess starting position
6. Movement of Chess Pieces and Pawns
7. How to capture Pieces and Pawns
8. Importance of the Centre
9. Check and Checkmate
10. Value of Pieces and Pawns
11. Rules of Castling
12. Pawn Promotion
13. DRAW
14. En-Passant
15. Rules of Chess
16. Chess Notation Symbols
17. Files and Ranks
18. How to record a Position
19. How to record a Game
20. Play chess online against the computer
21. Chess Glossary

How to capture Pieces and Pawns

When any chess piece or pawn is captured, it is removed from the chessboard and the piece which is capturing will occupy its square.

Usually when the players are equal strength, a material (chess pieces and pawns) advantage wins the game.

Definition on Wiki

Capturing on About