Back row pieces begin on random squares.

The site most used for playing chess online (as of January 2026).

Only American player in the 20th century to become World Champion; still considered by some to be the GOAT (Greatest of all time).

The term used in chess for a game with no winner.

The part of the board you want to try to control.

Two person teams play each other. Partners pass captured pieces to one another and those pieces can be placed on the board.

Site where everything is free.

Current (January 2026) US Champion; he has 5 total US championships, including the last 4.

What a player might do instead of continuing to play when they believe they are going to lose.

True or false: It is usually good to move your queen into the middle of the board as soon as you can.

Fast play of 5 or less minutes per side.

Well established site for learning chess via interactive books/courses; known for "spaced repetition"?

Grandmaster who has the most U.S. Women's Championships at 8.

The last phase of the game in which few pieces are left on the board.

_____ safety is one of the goals of not gust the opening, but the whole game

Japanese chess

Fairly new site with "human-like bots" which allows users to create custom positions.

The current U.S. Women's Champion, she has won that event the last 3 in a row, and 4 total.

An "in between" move - usually unexpected - that comes before an "obvious" move, usually giving an advantage to the player who makes the move.

True or false: Generally it is considered good to avoid moving the same pieces more than once early in a chess game.

Players place a marker on a square that their opponent cannot move onto or through.

Site with online books; games; training for openings, tactics, endgames; and more.

The country's oldest operating chess club.

An opening where material is offered for development.

What you want to do with your pieces