Chess Blog
Articles about FIDE, the chess world, and guides
FIDE Arbiter (FA) and International Arbiter (IA): Application Process in 2026
How do you become a FIDE arbiter? This guide explains the 2026 FA and IA path step by step, including seminars, norms, age limits, federation approval and application timing.
Chess Time Controls: Classical, Rapid, Blitz and Bullet Guide
What are chess time controls? Differences between Classical, Rapid, Blitz and Bullet, FIDE rules, Fischer increment, time control calculation formula and tournament formats.
Chess Titles Guide: How Are GM, IM, FM, and CM Earned? 2026
What are chess titles? How are the GM (Grandmaster), IM, FM, and CM titles obtained? What is a norm, and how many norms are required? A guide to FIDE title requirements and Turkish grandmasters.
What is UKD Rating? How is it Calculated? 2026 Guide
What is UKD (National Strength Rating)? How is it calculated? TSF license, first UKD rating, K-factor, calculation formula, UKD vs FIDE ELO differences and rating improvement strategies.
Chess Tactics Guide: Fork, Pin, Skewer and More
What are chess tactics? Learn fundamental tactical motifs like fork, pin, skewer, discovered attack, overloading, deflection and in-between moves with examples.
How to Play Chess? 2026 Comprehensive Beginnerâs Guide
How is chess played? The setup of the pieces, their movements, special moves (castling, en passant, pawn promotion), and the rules of checkmate and stalemate. A comprehensive Turkish guide for those who want to learn chess from scratch.
Chess Openings Guide: The Top 10 Openings and Their Strategies (2026)
Chess openings guide: Italian Opening, Spanish Opening, Sicilian Defense, French Defense, and more. The top 10 opening strategies and move sequences for every level.
Chess Checkmate Patterns Guide: From Back Rank Mate to Scholar's Mate
What are chess checkmate patterns? Learn back rank mate, smothered mate, scholar's mate, Legal's mate, Arabian mate and more with diagrams.
What Is the Swiss System? Pairing Rules and Round Calculation Guide (2026)
What is the Swiss system and how does it work? Pairing rules, round calculation, advantages and disadvantages. A comprehensive guide for arbiters and tournament organizers.
FIDE Chess Rules: The Complete Guide with Animations and Visuals (2026)
Learn the official FIDE chess rules with interactive animations and Turkish visuals. The movements of the pieces, castling, en passant, pawn promotion, checkmate, stalemate, and draw rules are explained step by step.
What Is a Chess ELO Rating? How Is It Calculated? 2026 Updated Guide
What is an ELO rating, and how is it calculated? A guide to the FIDE rating system, the K-factor, the difference between UKD and ELO, checking your ELO rating, and improving your chess rating.
Buchholz, Sonneborn-Berger and Tie-Break Methods Guide (2026)
What is Buchholz score and how is Sonneborn-Berger calculated? Complete guide to chess tournament tie-break methods: Buchholz, Median Buchholz, SB, Cumulative Score, Direct Encounter and more.
What Is the Berger System? Round-Robin Pairings and Berger Table Guide (2026)
What is the Berger system and how are round-robin pairings created? This guide covers the Berger table, single and double round robins, byes, color balance and crosstables.
FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026: The Road to the World Championship
FIDE Candidates Tournament 2026 starts in Cyprus! 8 grandmasters, double round-robin format, €700,000 prize fund. All candidate profiles, tournament schedule and how to watch.
How to Get a FIDE ID? 2026 Updated Application Guide
How do you get a FIDE ID? A step-by-step guide to the TSF athlete license, the FIDE registration process, initial rating, and ELO rating. Everything you need to know to participate in FIDE-rated tournaments in Turkey.