Tamil Nadu State Chess Association

Course Material for

Examination Level I Chess Coaches 2025

Organised by
Tamil Nadu State Chess Association

Study Material

March 2025

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 CHESS
Introduction: The game of chess was invented about two thousand years
ago in India. It is a game that is played between two sides. All parents
want their children to grow up physically, emotionally and mentally. Sports
activity has an important role to improve these faculties.
Advantages: Playing the game of chess gives many advantages to children.
Especially, by playing chess the children can improve their cognitive skill
like concentration, memory, decision making, self-control, analytical
thinking, time management, planning, hard work, competitive spirit etc.,
These characteristic features will be very much useful for their life and
studies.
FIDE (World Chess Federation): FIDE (Federation Internationale des
Echecs) is a French word which means World Chess Federation. It is in
charge of all the chess activities around the world. FIDE has laid down the
rules (the laws of chess) for playing the game of chess.
Rules of the game: In order to play chess, you will need a chess board
and two sets of chess pieces of light and dark colours. In chess the player
with the white pieces always moves first and makes the first move.Then
Black makes his first move and the game proceeds with the players moving
the pieces alternately.
Object of the game: King is the most important piece in a chess game. The
object of chess is to checkmate the opponent’s king.
Chess Board: The chess board has 64 squares with alternating light (white
colour) and dark (black colour) squares. The chess board should be placed
between the two players in such a way that the corner square on each
player’s right-hand side should be white.

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On the chessboard, there are up and down squares (vertical), which are
called files (e.g. e1 to e8). There are 8 files on the chess board.
8 vertical lines are Files

The squares that go sideways (horizontal) are called ranks (eg.a1 to

h1). There are 8 ranks on the chess board.
8 Horizontal lines are Ranks

A straight line of squares of the same colour, running from one edge of the
boardto an adjacent edge, is called a ‘diagonal’. While squares on files or
ranks always have alternating colours, the squares of the diagonal are
always either light or dark colour.
Diagonals
Light Square Diagonal Dark Square Diagonal

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Chessmen (Chess pieces): Total number of chessmen are 32 with 16 light
(white) and 16 dark colour chess pieces (1King (K),1 Queen (Q), 2 Rooks (R),
2 Bishops (B), 2 Knights (N) and 8 Pawns). Initially we are arraigning in the
following manner.

Arrangement of the chessmen

Notation:
There is a system to denote the squares in the chess board. The files from left
to right side is denoted by a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h and the ranks are numbered
as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. By this way each square has its own letter and
number. To mention the square, the letter should always come before the
number. For example: e4,c5,h3 etc for pawn movements and Kg1,Rc8,Ng6
for piece movements.
The names of the squares are shown in the diagram.

a b c d e f g h
8 a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8 8
7 a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7 7
6 a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6 6
5 a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5 5
4 a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4 4
3 a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3 3
2 a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2 2
1 a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1 1

a b c d e f g h
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For easy reference, we divide the chessboard into two halves from a to d
(files) as Queen side and e to h (files) as King side.

Queen side King side

Movements of the pieces: It is not permitted to move a piece to a square

occupied by a piece of the same colour.
The move is not made until the piece or pawn is released on a square. You
cannot move a piece or pawn to a square occupied by your own piece or
pawn. The knightis the only piece that can leap over a square occupied by
another piece or pawn.
If a piece moves to a square occupied by an opponent’s piece the latter is
captured and removed from the chessboard as part of the same move.

Capture: One player’s pieces can be captured by the other player’s pieces
but the player is notallowed to capture his own pieces.
King should not be captured: King is the most important piece in a chess
game. So if you are not able to safe guard the king from opponent’s check
mate threat, the game is lost.
Rook: The rook may move to any square along the file or the rank on
which itstands.

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 Bishop: The bishop may move to any square along a diagonal on
which itstands.

Queen: The queen may move to any square along the file, the rank or a
diagonalon which it stands.

When making these moves, the bishop, rook or queen may not move over any
intervening pieces.
Knight: The Knight may move to one of the squares nearest to that on
which it stands but not on the same rank, file or diagonal. The knight
alone hops (jump)over other pieces.

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Pawn: The pawn may move forward to the square immediately in front of it
onthe same file, provided that this square is unoccupied, or
on its first move from the initial square, the pawn may move as above or
alternatively it may advance two squares along the same file, provided that
bothsquares are unoccupied, or
the pawn may move to a square occupied by an opponent’s piece diagonally
in front of it on an adjacent file, capturing that piece.
The Pawn moves forward only and they cannot move backwards at any
stage ofthe game.

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 En passant rule:
The word “En-Passant” is a French expression, which means “in passing”.
For simplicity, it is simply referred to as e.p.
The FIDE laws of chess define the En-Passant Pawn capture as follows:
A pawn occupying a square on the same rank as and on an adjacent file to
an opponent’s pawn which has just advanced two squares in one move from
its original square may capture this opponent’s pawn as though the latter
had beenmoved only one square. This capture is only legal on the move
following this advance and is called an "en passant capture”.

For example: In the following diagrams if Black plays its pawn from the
basic square c7 to c5, then white can capture the crossed black’s pawn
immediately by playing its pawn from b5 to c6 (bxc6). In the same way if
the white pawn on g2 movesto g4 in one move, then Black can capture the
crossed white’s pawn immediatelyby playing its pawn from f4 to g3.In
notation we mention it as fxg3

Pawn advances two Before the capture After the capture

steps from its original
square

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 Promotion of pawn: When a player, having the move, plays a pawn to
the rank furthest from its starting position, he must exchange that pawn
as part ofthe same move for a new queen, rook, bishop or knight of the
same colour onthe intended square of arrival. This is called the square of
‘promotion’.
The player's choice is not restricted to pieces that have been captured
previously.
This exchange of a pawn for another piece is called promotion, and the
effect ofthe new piece is immediate.

King: The King can move in every direction horizontally, vertically and
diagonally.However, the king is limited to move only one square at a time.

There are two ways of moving the king. The king can move one square in
any direction or by castling.

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Castling rule: Once during the course of the game, the King is allowed to
makea joint move with one of its Rook during which they pass over each
other. Castling is a combined move of the King and either Rook, counting as
a singlemove and executed as follows:
The king is transferred from its original square; two squares towards either
Rookon the same rank, then the rook concerned is transferred over the
king to the square that the king has just crossed.
We have to touch the King first and then the Rook while attempting to
castle.
Accordingly, when castling on the king-side, the white king moves from e1
to g1square and his rook from h1 to f1 square. The Black king from e8 to
g8 square and his rook from h8 to f8 square.

When castling on the queen-side, the white king moves from e1 to c1

square andhis rook from a1 to d1 square. The Black king from e8 to c8
square and his rookfrom a8 to d8 square.

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A player can castle only if the following conditions are satisfied:
1. Castling is permitted only if the King or the rook concerned have not
moved previously.
2. All the squares between the King and the rook with which you want to
castle must be empty.
3. The king should not be in check. Castling is not allowed for the
purpose of getting the king out of check.

4. The square, which the king is going to jump over, should not
be under attackby the opponent.
5. The square on which the king would land after castling should
not be underattack.

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Check: When the king is attacked by an enemy pawn or piece, it is said to be
under check. When a king is under check, it should be either moved away or
the attacking piece should be captured or the king should be shielded from
attack by interposing some piece. And this has to be done in the next move
itself becausethe king cannot be left ‘to capture’ at any time.
The king is said to be 'in check' if it is attacked by one or more of the
opponent's pieces, even if such pieces are constrained from moving to the
square occupied by the king because they would then leave or place their
own king in check.
No piece can be moved that will either expose the king of the same colour
to check or leave the king in check.
Touch Piece play: The laws of chess states that:
Each move must be played with one hand only.
If the player having the move deliberately touches on the chessboard one or
moreof his pieces, he must move the first piece touched that can be moved
or, if the player having the move deliberately touches on the chessboard
one or moreof opponent’s pieces, he must capture the first piece touched,
which can be captured.
Adjusting the chessmen: If you are having the move and you desire to
adjustone or more pieces on their squares, you must express your intention
to your opponent by saying “I adjust” (before touching the chessman to be
adjusted). Such adjustment can be made only in the presence of your
opponent.
Illegal move: A move is illegal when it fails to meet the relevant
requirement ofthe movement of the piece’s rules laid down in the laws of
chess by the World Chess Federation (FIDE).
i) If a player makes a move with a chessman, which is not in accordance
with the rules of the game, he must retract it and make a different move
with the same chessman, provided that is legal. If it is not, the player is
free to make a legal move with any other chessman. If a player leaves his
king in check and makes some other move, that move is illegal and
according to the Laws of Chess should be retracted and another move
made.
With the clock
ii) If the player has moved a pawn to the furthest distant rank, pressed the
clock, but not replaced the pawn with a new piece, the move is illegal. The

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pawn shall bereplaced by a queen of the same colour as the pawn.

iii) If the player presses the clock without making a move, it shall be
consideredand penalized as if an illegal move. (only if the clock is
introduced)
iv) If a player uses two hands to make a single move (for example in case
of castling, capturing or promotion) and pressed the clock, it shall be
considered andpenalized as if an illegal move.
If a player has made an illegal move and has not completed the move
(pressed the clock), he can retract the illegal move and make another legal
move with the same piece (if possible). That is; there is no penalty for an
illegal move made. The penalty is only for a completed illegal move.
As per FIDE Laws of Chess, for the first completed illegal move by a player,
the arbiter shall give two minutes extra time to his opponent; for the second
completedillegal move by the same player the arbiter shall declare the game
lost by this player. However, the game is drawn if the position is such that
the opponent cannot checkmate the player’s king by any possible series of
legal moves.
Recording of moves: To record the movement of the pieces from one
square to another square, each of the pieces is indicated by its first letter
(except knight: for knight-N) followed by its square of arrival. The
movement of a pawn is recorded by simply indicating the square of its
arrival. Captures are indicated by a small ‘x’, inserted between the
chessmen doing the capturing and the square on which the capture is being
made. The king side castling is recorded as O-O and the Queen side castling
is recorded as O-O-O.
Chess is the only game which can be recorded on a piece of paper (score
sheet)and played through even after many days and years.
The Completion of the Game:

Checkmate: If the king cannot get out of check, it is said to be ‘checkmated”

and the game ends immediately. The player who has checkmated his
opponent’sking is declared as the winner.
You have won a game:
i) if you have checkmated your opponent with the legal move.
ii) If your opponent declares that he has resigned when he realizes
that his position is hopeless and that he has no chances of even
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 drawing the game.
Drawn game: As per the FIDE Laws of Chess a game is considered
drawn:
1. When the player on move has no legal move and his king is not in check.
The game is said to end in ‘Stalemate’.
2.The game is drawn when a position has arisen in which neither player can
checkmate the opponent`s king with any series of legal moves. The game is
said toend in a `dead position`. This immediately ends the game, provided
that the moveproducing the position was legal.

3.The game is drawn upon agreement between the two players during the
game.This immediately ends the game.

4.The game may be drawn if any identical position is about to appear

or hasappeared on the chessboard at least three times. (Recording of
moves is needed to claim this draw.)

5.The game may be drawn if each player has made at least the last 50
consecutivemoves without the movement of any pawn and without
any capture. (Recording of moves is needed to claim this draw.)

Chess Clock: In chess competitions, digital chess clocks are used for
playing the game of chess. The clock indicates the thinking time of both the
players. Players have to complete their moves within the prescribed time
allotted to him which is announced in the tournament rules. As per the laws
of chess, if a player cannot complete his moves or the game within that time
limit, the game will be lost on time for the first player who has exhausted all
his thinking time.
Player has to play the move first and then only press the clock with the
hand that he made his move.
To play the game: A chess game can end in three ways: A player can win,
lose or draw. It is a battle of tactical ideas and strategical planning over
the chess board. The important element in order to understand the
dynamics of a chess game is learning the concept of attack and defence.
For easy understanding the chess game is divided into three phases:
Opening, Middle game and Endgame.
Value of the pieces: The Queen and Rooks are known as the ‘Major Pieces’.
Bishops and knights areknown as ‘Minor Pieces’.

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The approximate value of the pieces:
Queen----9 points
Rook------5 pts
Bishop----3 pts
Knight----3 points
Pawn-----1 point
King------None
Opening: The purpose of opening moves is to make a good start. Each
player would like to complete the opening successfully since it can give an
advantage to the player inthe next phase of the game.
Some of the opening principles are:
1.Develop all your pieces.
2.Develop the pieces to control the center.
3.Castle early (King safety).
4.Play with a plan (an idea).
5.Must see the opponent’s threats and plan.
6.Start the game with the movement of the center pawn.
7.Do not move a piece twice unnecessarily.
8.Do not follow the principles blindly.

Middle game: The Middle game constitutes that part of the game, where
there is direct clash between the developed forces of both the players. The
strategical planning with tactical ideas has to be used in this phase to outplay
the opponents. Attack and defense are the common themes here in the
middle game.
Tactics: Tactics are at the heart of chess and the command of tactical ideas in
games between the beginners usually decides who wins the game.
Pin: A piece standing in between an attacker and a piece of higher value or
the king of the defender is called as a pin.
Skewer: One piece attacks two pieces on the same line (file/rank/
diagonal) with one behind the other. This can be done only by queen or
rook or bishop.
Double Attack (Fork): One piece which attacks two of the opponent’s

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men or two threats at same time. Attacking two pieces (or two threats)
with one move like this is called double attack. It is one of the most effective
ways of attacking. Every chessman can fork. The importance of a fork move
depends on the value of attacked piece. The effect of fork moves increases if
attacked pieces are more valuable.
Discovered Check: In some positions, giving check may be blocked by a
player´s own piece. Giving check by moving the blocking piece is called
discoveredcheck.
Double Check: Double check is a kind of discovered check, when a piece
which moves and discovers a check, also gives check by itself, to the enemy
king. Doublecheck means to give check with two pieces and it is also very
effective. The king has no option but to move, which makes this a powerful
weapon.
Some of the Middlegame Strategies:
1. Attack against the king
2. Open file
3. Pawn majority
4. Weak pawn
5. Centre
6. Pawn Structure
7. Weak squares
8. Passed pawn
9. Outpost
10. Badly placed pieces

End game:
Some of the Endgame principles:
1. Activating the king.
2. Creating a passed pawn.

3. Opposition.
4. Active and Passive pieces.
5. Rook behind the Passed pawn.
6. Stalemate.
7. Zugzwang

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Tactics

Double Attack Pin Skewer

Double Attack (fork)

A double attack is an attack in which one piece attacks two targets. The targets in chess are
1. The king 2. a piece 3. an important square

KNIGHT FORK KNIGHT FORK

After Ne7+, white knight attacks White knight on c7 attacks two
king and queen. rooks and the bishop.

PAWN FORK BISHOP FORK

White pawn on b4 attacks the WHITE Bishop ond5 attacksthe
bishop and knight. e4 knight and c6 knight.

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 DOUBLE ATTACK DOUBLE ATTACK DOUBLE ATTACK
The white queen attacks the king The white rook attacks The white queen attacks
and rook. The king must move both the knights. One of the knight and an
away and the rook will belost. them can escape, but the important square d8. This
Check+ Piece other is lost. square is important
Piece + Piece because the queen can give
checkmate on d8.
Piece + Checkmate threat
PIN
*A pin is an attack on a piece that cannot be moved. In some cases, the piece can bemoved, but
it will result in the loss of material.
*A pin can take place: along a rank, along a file or along a diagonal.
*Only the queen, the rook and the bishop can pin other pieces.

PIN PIN PIN

White bishop on b5 pins White rook on e1 pins the White queen on b5 pins the
the black queen on c6. black knight on e5. black knight on c6.

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 DISCOVERED CHECK DISCOVERED ATTACK

In a discovered check, two pieces attacking In a discovered attack, two pieces

simultaneously, one on the king(check) and attacking simultaneously two of the
the other one on the piece. After Bh7+, the opponent pieces. By playing Bd4-c5, the
rook attacks the king and the bishop attacks bishop attacks the knight and the rook
the queen. attacks the bishop.

DOUBLE CHECK

White queen and knight White queen and bishop White plays1. Qd8+ Kxd8 2.
gives check resulting in gives check resulting in Bg5+ (Double check- white
checkmate checkmate rook on d1 and bishop on g5
gives check) 2…Ke8 3. Rd8#

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 MATE IN 1

White plays 1. Qg7# White plays 1. Rh5#

White plays 1. Rh7#

White plays 1. Qh7# White plays 1. Ba6#

White plays 1. Nd5#

White plays 1. Nxf7# White plays 1. Bxg7#

White plays 1. e8 = N#

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 MATE IN 2

1.Qh6+ Kg8 2. Qg7# 1.Qg8+ Rxg8 2. Nf7#

1.Qh4+ Kg8 2. Qh7#

1.Bg5+ Kc8 2. Rd8# 1.Qf8+ Rxf8 2. Rxf8# 1.Qh7+ Kf8 2.Qxf7#

1.Rbg7+ Kf8 2. Rh8# 1.Bf6+ Kg8 2. Rh8# 1.h7+ Kh8 2. Rxf8#

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Mating Patterns:
Checkmate Patterns
Basics

Few Checkmate
Patterns.

1. Qb5# 1. axb7 #

1. Qh8# 1.b4#
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Staircase Mate 1. Ra6 + Kf7 2. Rh7 + Kg8
3. Rb7 Kf8 4. Ra8 #

Queen’s Mate 1. Qd6 Ke8 2. Qc7 Kf8

3. Kg5 Kg8 4. Kg6 Kf8 5.Qf7#
* Queen to Knights
Jump.
* Cornering.
* Avoid Stalemate.
* Using King as
support.

Back rank mate – 1 1.Rc8#

Back rank mate – 2 1. Re8#

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Back rank mate – 3 1.Rd8+ Bf8 2. Bh6 f5
3.Rxf8#

Fools Mate 1. f3? e5 2. g4?? Qh4 #

Scholars Mate 1. e4 e5 2. Qh5 Nc6

3.Bc4 Nf6 4. Qxf7#

Anastasia’s Mate 1. Ne7 + Kh7 2. Rh1 #

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Smothered Mate 1. Nh6+ Kh8 2. Qg8+Rxg8
3.Nf7#

1. Nh6 + Kf8 2 Qf7#

Damiano’s Mate 1. Rh8+ Kxh8 2. Qh5 +Kg8

3. Qh7#

Pillsbury Mate 1. Qxf6, gxf6 2. Rg1+Kh8

3. Bxf6#

Blackburne’s Mate 1. Qxh5 gxh5 2. Bh7#

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Boden Mate 1. Qxc6+ bxc6 2. Ba6 #

Windmill 1...Kh8 2. Rxe7+ Kg8

3.Rg7+Kh8 4. Rxd7 +

Rook Sacrifice on g7 1. Rxg7+ Kxg7 2. Qg5+ Kh8

square 3.Qf6+ Kg8 4. Rg1#

Rook sacrifice on h7 1.Rh7+ Kxh7 2. Qxf7+Kh8

square 3. Rh1#

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 Pawn endgame

VERTICAL HORIZONTAL DIAGONAL

OPPOSITION OPPOSITION OPPOSITION

Sixth rank King in front of the

pawn
With your King on the sixth rank in front of your pawn, you’ll always win,
regardless of whosemove it is (except rook pawn)

Position –1 Position –2

Black to move White to move

After 1...Kd8 2. Kf7 Kd7 1.Kd6 Kd8 2. e6 Ke8 3.e7
3.e6+ Kd8 4.e7+ Kd7 Kf7 4.Kd7 Kf6 5.e8Q
5.e8Q+

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 The King is in front of the pawn
Position-3 Position-4

Black to move White to move

With Black to move, If it is White to move it is only a draw

White has the opposition as black gets the opposition.
and wins. 1.Kf4 Kf6 2. Ke4 Ke6 3.Kd4 Kd6 4.e4
Ke6 5.e5 Ke7 6.Kd5 Kd7 7.e6+ Ke7
1...Kd6 2. Kf5 Ke7 3.Ke5
8.Ke5 Ke8 only move to draw 9.Kd6
Kf7 4.Kd6 Kf6 5.e4 Kf7
Kd8 10.e7+ Ke8 11.Ke6-
6.e5 Ke8 7.Ke6
1/2-1/2(Stalemate)

White or Black to move the King is not in front of the pawn- draw!

Position-5 Position-6

White to move Black to move

1.Kd4 Ke72.Kd5 Kd7 3.e6+ 1…Ke72.Kd5 Kd7 3.e6+

Ke7 4.Ke5 Ke8 5.Kd6 Kd8 Ke7 4.Ke5 Ke8 5.Kd6 Kd8
6.e7+ Ke8 7.Ke6 ½–½ 6.e7+ Ke8 7.Ke6 ½–½
Position -4
Black got opposition. Black got opposition.

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 Rook Pawn
Position-7 Position-8

This is a draw because White can’t move

the opponent’s king from the corner. The final position will be
Pushing the pawn to h7 leads to stalemate. like this.
Black will move his King only g8 and h8
squares.

The game goes like this,1.h5 Kg8 2.h6

Kh8 3.h7 stalemate.

Defending by imprisoning the opposing King on the rook file

Position -9 Position-10

White to move Final position (stalemate)

.(See the White King is in prison)
This is a draw, not considering of who is on move. A blockade is successful
thanks to Black’s access to the c7 and c8 squares.

For example: 1.Ka7 Kc7 2.a6

Kc8 3.Ka8 [3.Kb6 Kb8 4.a7+
Ka8 5.Ka6] 3...Kc7 4.a7 Kc8

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 With Black on move: 1........ Kc7
2. Ka7 (If 2. Kb5, 2. ... Kb7.) 2.
... Kc8 3. a6 Kc7 4. Ka8 Kc8 5.
a7 Kc7 also stalemate.

Black to move

The Rule of the square

If the king is too far away from his own pawn, promotion of the pawn is only
possible if the enemy king cannot enter the square. The square is an
imaginary boxwhich is defined by a diagonal from the passed pawn to the
back rank at the other end of the board.

Black to play draws as

the black king reaches
the box in time and will

White to play wins as the

white pawn can advance one
square and the new box can
no longer be entered by the
black king.1.a4 Kf4 2.a5 Ke5
3.a6 Kd6 4.a7 Kc7 5.a8Q

Position After 1.a4.

Others:

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GENERAL:

Other topics related to training the beginner.

Calculation: Calculating variations in chess requires a blend of

strategic thinking and tactical precision. It is better to be good at
tactical vision and calculation, rather than to learn other parts of the
game at beginner level. Forcing moves are powerful tools in chess that
can simplify calculations and lead to decisive advantages. Here are
three important types of forcing moves:
1.Check: Moves that put the opponent's king in check. These force
the opponent to respond immediately, often limiting their options and
making it easier to calculate subsequent moves.
2.Captures: Moves that capture an opponent's piece. These can force
the opponent to recapture or deal with the loss of material, simplifying
the position and making it easier to foresee the consequences.
3.Threats: Moves that create immediate threats, such as attacking a
valuable piece or threatening a checkmate. These force the opponent to
respond to the threat, narrowing down their possible responses and
making it easier to plan your next moves.

Visualization: Visualizing the board several moves ahead without

moving the pieces is necessary for the planning. This skill is crucial for
deep calculation. Familiarize yourself with common tactical motifs and
strategic themes. Recognizing these patterns can speed up the
calculation process.

Time management: Generally, chess competitions are held in three

types of time controls; Standard, Rapid and Blitz. Players should be
given practice according to that.

Practical: Apart from theoretical knowledge players should be given

the tasks to solve chess puzzles, chess exercises for home work and
playing games. And then the games will be analyzed and advise them
to correct the mistakes. This will help them to play better in the
competitions.

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Psychology: It is important for the coaches to train the players to
improve their cognitive skills and mental strength so that they can play
a better game. By teach them the game discipline, positive thoughts,
confidence and good characters like meditation we can make them a
good chess player. It is better to make them understand the
psychological aspects of chess, such as handling pressure, maintaining
focus, managing time effectively.

Tournaments: There are various chess competitions like school

tournaments, district tournaments, state tournaments, national
tournaments and international tournaments are being held throughout
the year at various places. These tournaments will be played under
Swiss system. This system is neither a knock out tournament nor a
league tournament. Large number of players can take part in this
tournament at the same time and play the game with various players
till the end of that competition.

Current World Champion-Men : GM D Gukesh, India (Tamil Nadu).

Current World Champion-Women : GM Ju Wenjun, China.

Current World Olympiad Winner open: India.

Current World Olympiad Winner Women: India.

Chess federations and chess associations:

World: FIDE – World Chess Federation

India: AICF – All India Chess Federation is a member in FIDE.

Tamilnadu – TNSCA – Tamil Nadu State Chess Association is a

member in AICF.

District Chess Associations – Each district association in the State

will be the member of the respective States.

Taluk/Panchayat Chess Associations – Each taluk or panchayat chess

association will be the member of the respective Districts.

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1. *Candidate Moves*: Identify all possible moves in a given position.
This helps in exploring different lines of play.

4. *Elimination*: Rule out moves that are clearly bad or lead to a

disadvantage. This narrows down the options and focuses your
calculation.

7. Intermediate Moves (Zwischenzug)*: Look for unexpected

intermediate moves that can disrupt the opponent's plans.

Free piece

Unprotected piece

Value of the pieces

Forcing moves-Checks, threats, captures,

By focusing on these types of forcing moves, you can streamline your

calculations and increase the accuracy of your attacks.

Move Order: Consider the sequence of moves carefully. Sometimes the

order in which you play moves can make a significant difference.
These methods can significantly enhance your ability to calculate
variations and improve your overall chess performance.

Courtesy: FIDE, AICF & TNSCA

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