Glossary
Chess terms explained in one or two sentences, with diagrams and videos.
Castling
Castling: the king moves two squares toward a rook and the rook jumps over to the other side. It is the only move that moves two pieces at once.
Check
Check means the king is under attack by an enemy piece. A player whose king is in check must get out of check on the very next move.
Checkmate
Checkmate is a check that cannot be escaped: the king is attacked and there is no legal move to save it. The player who is checkmated loses.
Chess notation
Chess notation is the way chess moves are written down using piece letters and square names, such as Nf3 or exd5.
Draw
A draw is a tied chess game. It can happen by agreement, stalemate, threefold repetition, the 50-move rule, or insufficient material to checkmate.
Elo rating
An Elo rating measures a chess player's relative strength: it rises when you beat expectations and falls when you don't. FIDE has used it since 1970.
En passant
En passant is a special pawn capture: a pawn takes an enemy pawn that just moved two squares and landed beside it. It is only allowed on the very next move.
FIDE
FIDE is the world chess federation. It sets the Laws of Chess, runs the rating list, awards titles and organises the world championships.
FIDE Master (FM)
FIDE Master (FM) is the chess title for players who reach a FIDE rating of 2300. One step below it is Candidate Master (CM), at 2200.
Fork
A fork is a single piece attacking two or more enemy pieces at the same time. The opponent can usually save only one of them.
Gambit
A gambit is an opening in which a player deliberately gives up material, usually a pawn, for faster development or an attack.
Grandmaster (GM)
Grandmaster (GM) is the highest chess title FIDE awards. It needs GM norms (usually three) and a FIDE rating of at least 2500, and lasts for life.
International Master (IM)
International Master (IM) is the FIDE chess title one step below Grandmaster. It requires IM norms and a FIDE rating of at least 2400.
Norm
A norm is a title-level performance (GM, IM, WGM, WIM) in a single international tournament that meets FIDE's conditions. GM and IM titles require norms.
Pin
A pin is when a piece cannot, or should not, move because a more valuable piece behind it would then be attacked.
Promotion
Promotion happens when a pawn reaches the last rank. The pawn must be replaced by a queen, rook, bishop, or knight of the same color.
Stalemate
Stalemate happens when the player to move is not in check but has no legal moves at all. The game ends in a draw, not a win.
Touch-move
Touch-move rule: deliberately touch one of your pieces and you must move it; touch an opponent's piece and you must capture it, if legal.
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