Recently, freestyle chess has exploded in popularity, driven by global chess elites and growing online communities. Magnus Carlsen, arguably the best player ever, is a major advocate. He helped launch the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour, a series of high-profile tournaments held in cities like Paris, Las Vegas, and Sydney. These events feature classical time […]

Winning chess in four moves is possible, but only if certain conditions line up just right. This quick checkmate is known as the “Four-Move Checkmate” or Scholar’s Mate. I’ll lay out the exact moves, then break down why it works, how to use it, and what you need to know as a player. If you

Stalemate is a type of draw. It happens when a player’s king is not in check, but that player has no legal moves left. That’s it. The key point is: no legal moves, and no check. It’s not a win. It’s not a loss. It’s a draw. And this can be frustrating, especially if you’re

When selecting a chess coach for your child, it’s not enough to choose someone who plays well. Teaching children requires patience, adaptability, and the ability to break down complex concepts into simple steps. A coach who has experience working with young learners will know how to keep lessons engaging while building core skills like calculation,

Beginners in chess often make predictable errors that limit their growth. These include poor opening choices, neglecting piece development, ignoring opponent threats, and moving without a plan. Fortunately, these mistakes can be corrected with proper guidance and consistent practice. 1. Playing Too Many Pawn Moves in the Opening Why is this a mistake? Moving too

What is a MOE-Registered Chess Trainer? A MOE-registered trainer is a coach approved by Singapore’s Ministry of Education (MOE) to conduct lessons in schools and other educational settings. This means the trainer has passed background checks, adheres to teaching standards, and is qualified to deliver structured, age-appropriate instruction. At Intchess Asia, many of our coaches