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I teach a lot of people who are just starting out with chess, and one of the most common questions I get is "what rating is actually good?" So here's a simple breakdown that might help clear things up.
If we're talking ELO (like what Chess.com or Lichess uses):

Below 800 – You're still learning the basics, and that's completely normal. Most people who just know how the pieces move fall here.
800 – 1200 – You understand the basic rules and are starting to avoid the most common blunders. A lot of casual players sit in this range.
1200 – 1600 – You have a real grasp of strategy — opening principles, basic tactics, and some endgame knowledge. Anyone in this range has genuinely moved past "beginner."
1600 – 2000 – This is a solid club-level player. You're calculating well and understanding positions on a deeper level.
2000+ – Expert to Master territory. This usually reflects years of serious, dedicated study.

One thing a lot of people don't realize: your online rating (Chess.com/Lichess) and your FIDE rating (used in official over-the-board tournaments) don't mean the same thing. Someone might have an 1800 online blitz rating, but if they play in a FIDE-rated tournament, they'll likely be rated lower — the player pools and conditions are just different.
If you're a beginner wondering where you stand: don't stress too much over the number itself. Rating is meant to track your progress over time, not define you as a player. Focus on the fundamentals — control the center, keep your king safe, don't waste moves — and the rating will naturally follow.
If you want to check your level and get some practice in, you can always play online for free on Chess.com or Lichess — that's usually the easiest starting point before jumping into official tournaments.
What[url] good chess ratings [/url]https://chess.game/blog/good-chess-rating is everyone else here sitting at? Curious to compare 😄

Did you know chess players can actually make serious money? Magnus Carlsen, the guy who's been world chess champion for years, has built an impressive net worth from a game people often assume is "boring."
As it stands, [Magnus Carlsen's net worth]https://chess.game/blog/magnus-carlsen-net-worth is estimated at over $40 million, and it doesn't come from tournament winnings alone. Here's the breakdown:

Tournament prize money (he's won the World Championship multiple times)
Chess.com equity — he holds a stake in the platform
Sponsorship deals with major brands
His own chess apps and business ventures
Coaching, media appearances, and content creation

The interesting part is that tournament winnings aren't even where most of the money comes from. Just like top athletes in other sports, endorsements and business ventures are what really pay the bills.
So here's a question for the forum: do you think chess can generate as much money as football or basketball, or is Magnus just really good at building a brand around his game? Drop your thoughts below.

A lot of people jump into chess without fully understanding what each piece is called or how it moves. If you have ever sat down at a board and felt confused, this post is for you.
Here is a quick breakdown of all 6 chess piece names(https://chess.game/blog/chess-pieces-names-and-moves):
1. King — The most important piece. If it gets checkmated, you lose. It moves one square in any direction.
2. Queen — The most powerful piece on the board. It moves any number of squares in any direction — horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.
3. Rook — Moves any number of squares horizontally or vertically. Very powerful in the endgame when the board opens up.
4. Bishop — Moves diagonally any number of squares. Each player has one light-squared and one dark-squared bishop.
5. Knight — The trickiest piece. Moves in an L-shape and is the only piece that can jump over other pieces.
6. Pawn — Moves forward one square at a time but captures diagonally. Eight pawns start the game and they can promote to any piece if they reach the other side of the board.

Knowing the chess piece names and how each one moves is the first step to understanding the game. Once you master this, learning openings, tactics, and strategies becomes a lot easier.
Are you a beginner or have you been playing for a while? Drop your experience below — would love to hear how you got started with chess!

Many chess players focus on checkmates and openings but completely ignore the skewer tactic. Once you learn this, you will start winning pieces you never thought possible.
So what is a skewer in chess?
A skewer happens when your Queen, Rook, or Bishop attacks a valuable enemy piece on a straight line. That piece is forced to run, and the piece hiding behind it gets captured for free.
Simple example: Your Bishop on a1 is pointing at the enemy Queen on h8, with a Rook sitting right behind it on h7. The Queen must move. You take the Rook. Game over.
Two types every player should know:

Absolute Skewer: The King is attacked first. It must move out of check. You win whatever was behind it. Your opponent has zero choice.
Relative Skewer: A Queen or Rook is attacked. They can save it but lose the piece behind it. Still a massive win.

Which pieces can do this?
Only three: Queen, Rook, and Bishop. Knights and Pawns cannot attack in straight lines so they cannot skewer.
How to set one up:
Look for two enemy pieces lined up on the same file, rank, or diagonal. Use checks or threats to force that alignment if it is not there already. Then strike.
How to avoid being skewered:
Never leave your King, Queen, or Rook lined up on open files or diagonals where enemy long-range pieces are active.
This tactic alone has decided thousands of games at every level. Learn it, practice it, and your opponents will start losing pieces without understanding why.
Has anyone here used a skewer chess(https://chess.game/blog/skewer-chess) to win a game? Share your experience below.

Many people think chess players only make money from winning tournaments. Magnus Carlsen has completely shattered that assumption.
Magnus Carlsen's net worth is estimated at $50 million+ in 2026, making him the richest active chess player on the planet by a wide margin. And the interesting part? Tournament prize money is only a small fraction of it.

His real wealth came from building and selling his app "Play Magnus" to Chess.com in exchange for equity worth $10-20 million. Add global sponsorships, modeling deals, and a long-term Chess.com ambassador contract and you start to understand the full picture.
For anyone who wants the complete breakdown of how he built this fortune, check this out:

https://chess.game/blog/magnus-carlsen-net-worth
Drop your thoughts below — do you think any other chess player can ever match his net worth?

If you are looking for one opening system that works against almost anything your opponent plays, the King's Indian Attack (KIA)(https://chess.game/blog/kings-indian-attack)is it.
Unlike most openings where you have to memorize 15-20 moves of theory, the KIA is a system-based opening. You follow a simple setup every game — knight to f3, pawn to g3, bishop to g2, castle kingside — and you are ready to attack.
Why it is so powerful:

Works against French, Sicilian, and even random setups
You control the game from move one on YOUR terms
Used by legends like Bobby Fischer, Kasparov, and even Magnus at times
Easy to learn but very deep strategically

The basic setup for White:

e4 2. d3 3. Nd2 4. Ngf3 5. g3 6. Bg2 7. 0-0

From here you build a kingside attack while keeping your center solid. Your opponent has to react to YOU.
Who should play this?
Beginners who want structure. Intermediate players who want to avoid heavy theory. Advanced players who want a reliable weapon.
Chess is not always about who memorizes more — it is about who understands more. And the KIA teaches you real chess thinking.
Drop your experience with this opening below — do you play it or do you struggle against it? 👇

If you think chess is boring, these movies will change your mind fast.

1. Queen's Gambit (2020) – Okay it's a series but nobody is skipping this list. Beth Harmon carried chess into every living room worldwide. Netflix hit.

2. Pawn Sacrifice (2014) – Tobey Maguire as Bobby Fischer. The Cold War, the pressure, the genius and the madness. Very intense watch.

3. Brooklyn Castle (2012) – Documentary about inner-city kids dominating chess tournaments. Emotional and inspiring.

4. Magnus (2016) – Follow Magnus Carlsen from child prodigy to World Champion. If you love chess this one is personal.

5. Computer Chess (2013) – Weird, indie, unique. About early days of chess computers. Not for everyone but chess lovers will appreciate it.

These are one of the [url]best chess movie[/url]https://chess.game/blog/best-chess-movies.

Finding the best chess openings for Black is essential for players who want to gain equal footing or even fight for an advantage right from the start. According to the chess.game, the Sicilian Defense (1.e4 c5) remains one of the strongest and most aggressive responses, creating unbalanced positions that allow Black to counterattack effectively. For players who prefer a solid and strategic approach, the French Defense (1.e4 e6) is an excellent choice, offering a strong pawn structure and long-term planning opportunities. The Caro-Kann Defense (1.e4 c6) is another reliable option, giving Black a safe yet flexible setup that avoids heavy risks. Against 1.d4, the King’s Indian Defense provides sharp counterplay and dynamic attacks, while the Queen’s Gambit Declined stands as a classical and stable opening for those who prefer structure over tactics. These chess openings for Black provide a perfect balance between aggressive play and strategic solidity, making them must-learn defenses for improving players.