Chess Terms
There are many terms that are related directly to the game of Chess and below is a short list containing several
of these chess related terms.
Analysis - A complete examination of tactical and positional possibilities, usually containing explanatory comments.
Backward pawn - A pawn that is weakened, because it has not advanced as much as the pawns on the close files.
Blocked pawn - A pawn that can not advance because an enemy pawn blocks its way.
Blunder - To totally miss something which is obvious, so that the opponent will now benefit.
Center pawns - The pawns d2,e2 and d7,e7 in the initial position.
Check - To threat the opponents king.
Checkmate, Mate - To threat the opponents king, so that it he has no escape.
Compensation - A positional returning to compensate for the material loss.
Combination - A sequence of moves that results in an advantage, either material or positional.
Dark-squared bishop - A bishop, either white or black, that moves on the black squares.
Development - The procedure of moving the pieces from their initial positions into more active squares. It is very important to develop ones pieces in the opening.
Doubled pawns - Two or more pawns of the same colour residing on the same file.
Endgame, Ending - The last of the three phases of the game, when only a few pieces are left on the board.
Exchange - To capture an enemy piece and let the opponent capture a piece of the same value.
File - a column in the chessboard.
Forced move - A move that one is obliged to make, because it is the only valid move in the position. Sometimes used to describe a move that if one does not make he will lose for sure.
Free pawn - A pawn that may advance easily, for there are no enemy pawns in front of it on its own file or on the close files.
Gambit - A pawn sacrifice in order to achieve something, usually a valuable tempo or the opening of files, diagonals etc.
Heavy piece - A queen or a rook.
Initiative - The privilege to be a little more active than the opponent. It is considered to be a slight advantage, but if not exploited it may vanish.
Isolated pawn - A pawn is isolated, when no pawns of the same colour exist in the close files.
Light piece - A bishop or a knight.
Light-squared bishop - A bishop, either white or black, that moves on the white squares.
Manoevre - A sequence of moves that places a piece on a target square.
Material - One or more pieces, not including the king.
More Chess Terms