(And Why Most Beginners Ask the Wrong Question) If you’ve ever searched for the “deadliest chess opening,” you’re not alone. Every beginner and club player wants a weapon — something sharp, aggressive, unstoppable. An opening that crushes opponents in 10 moves. But after 20 years of reporting on tournament chess and studying thousands of club […]
Is 70% Accuracy Good in Chess? What Your Accuracy Score Really Says About Your Game
If you play chess online, you’ve almost certainly seen this number after every game: accuracy percentage. 70%.75%.82%. And sooner or later, the question pops up in every player’s mind: “Is 70% accuracy actually good in chess?” The short answer: Yes—at some levels. No—at others.The long answer is where real improvement begins. As a coach who […]
Tata Steel Chess 2026: Tough Days for Indian Stars as Gukesh, Arjun Stumble and Pragg’s Wait for a Win Continues
The Tata Steel Chess Tournament in Wijk aan Zee is famously unforgiving. Often called the “Wimbledon of Chess,” it has a long history of testing even world champions at their emotional and technical limits. Round seven of the Tata Steel Chess 2026 Masters proved exactly that, as several Indian stars faced a sobering reality check […]
Does Chess Help Your IQ? What Science, Experience, and Chess Masters Reveal
By Sunil Hireholi | Chess Coach since 2005 | Hire Chess Academy One of the most common questions I’m asked by parents, students, and working professionals is: “Does playing chess actually increase IQ?” The short answer is:👉 Chess may not magically raise your IQ overnight—but it absolutely trains the skills that intelligent thinking is made […]
What Is the 80/20 Rule in Chess? How to Improve Faster by Studying Less
By Sunil Hireholi | Chess Coach since 2005 | Hire Chess Academy If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by chess books, opening theory, or endless YouTube videos, let me tell you something important: You don’t need to learn everything in chess to become strong. In fact, after coaching chess players for nearly two decades, I can […]
How Chess Players Earn Money in 2025: The Complete Guide for Aspiring Professionals
Chess is no longer just a board game played in quiet libraries and weekend clubs.In 2025, it has evolved into a global career path—with players, coaches, creators, and strategists earning serious income. Whether you’re an unrated beginner, a casual club player, or someone dreaming of a future chess career, understanding how chess players make money […]
⚡ When Blitz Turned Electric: Inside the 2025 UK Open Blitz Finals
On Saturday, 22 November 2025, the tranquil resort-hotel vibes of the Woodland Grange Hotel near Leamington Spa were replaced by the crackle of blitz energy. The 2025 UK Open Blitz Finals delivered 15 thrilling rounds of lightning-fast chess — and crowned a champion whose calm under pressure stole the spotlight. This wasn’t just another chess […]