---
title: "Chess terms glossary: plain definitions"
url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md"
canonical_url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary"
last_updated: "2026-11-07"
type: "index"
summary: "Chess terms explained in plain words: a glossary of definitions, each with an example position or the rule it comes from, and links to related terms."
related: ["https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/tactics.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/strategy.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/endgames.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/opening-concepts.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/rules-notation.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/tournaments-ratings-titles.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/time-controls.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/computer-chess.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/training-psychology.md"]
---

# Chess terms glossary: plain definitions

> **For AI agents:** the complete index of GeorgeLiChess pages is [llms.txt](https://georgelichess.com/llms.txt). Every page is also served as markdown at its URL plus .md.

Chess terms explained in plain words: a glossary of definitions, each with an example position or the rule it comes from, and links to related terms.

420 chess terms in this glossary, explained in plain words, each with the rule or the position behind it.

## Topics

- [Tactics and combinations](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/tactics.md) (60)
- [Strategy and positional concepts](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/strategy.md) (70)
- [Endgames](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/endgames.md) (60)
- [Opening concepts and named structures](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/opening-concepts.md) (50)
- [Rules, notation and equipment](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/rules-notation.md) (50)
- [Tournaments, ratings and titles](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/tournaments-ratings-titles.md) (50)
- [Time controls and formats](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/time-controls.md) (25)
- [Computer chess and analysis](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/computer-chess.md) (30)
- [Training and psychology](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/training-psychology.md) (25)

## All terms

### A

- [Absolute pin](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/absolute-pin.md)
- [Accepted gambit](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/accepted-gambit.md)
- [Accuracy](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/accuracy.md)
- [Active rook](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/active-rook.md)
- [Adjusting a piece](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/adjusting-a-piece.md)
- [Algebraic notation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/algebraic-notation.md)
- [Alpha-beta pruning](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/alpha-beta-pruning.md)
- [Anastasia's mate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/anastasias-mate.md)
- [Annotation symbols](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/annotation-symbols.md)
- [Antichess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/antichess.md)
- [Arabian mate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/arabian-mate.md)
- [Arbiter](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/arbiter.md)
- [Armageddon](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/armageddon.md)
- [Atomic chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/atomic-chess.md)
- [Attraction](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/attraction.md)
- [Average centipawn loss](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/average-centipawn-loss.md)

### B

- [Back rank mate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/back-rank-mate.md)
- [Backward pawn](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/backward-pawn.md)
- [Bad bishop](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/bad-bishop.md)
- [Battery](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/battery.md)
- [Benoni structure](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/benoni-structure.md)
- [Best move](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/best-move.md)
- [Bind](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/bind.md)
- [Bishop](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/bishop.md)
- [Bishop and knight checkmate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/bishop-and-knight-checkmate.md)
- [Bishop pair](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/bishop-pair.md)
- [Bishop versus knight endgame](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/bishop-versus-knight-endgame.md)
- [Blackburne's mate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/blackburnes-mate.md)
- [Blindfold chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/blindfold-chess.md)
- [Blitz chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/blitz-chess.md)
- [Blitz rating](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/blitz-rating.md)
- [Blockade](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/blockade.md)
- [Blunder](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/blunder.md)
- [Blunder check](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/blunder-check.md)
- [Blunder check habit](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/blunder-check-habit.md)
- [Board number](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/board-number.md)
- [Boden's mate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/bodens-mate.md)
- [Book move](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/book-move.md)
- [Brilliant move](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/brilliant-move.md)
- [Buchholz](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/buchholz.md)
- [Bughouse](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/bughouse.md)
- [Bullet chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/bullet-chess.md)
- [Bye](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/bye.md)

### C

- [Calculation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/calculation.md)
- [Candidate Master](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/candidate-master.md)
- [Candidate moves](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/candidate-moves.md)
- [Candidates Tournament](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/candidates-tournament.md)
- [Capture](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/capture.md)
- [Carlsbad structure](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/carlsbad-structure.md)
- [Caro-Kann structure](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/caro-kann-structure.md)
- [Castling](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/castling.md)
- [Castling plan](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/castling-plan.md)
- [Catalan setup](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/catalan-setup.md)
- [Center control](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/center-control.md)
- [Centipawn](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/centipawn.md)
- [Central break](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/central-break.md)
- [Check](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/check.md)
- [Checking distance](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/checking-distance.md)
- [Checkmate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/checkmate.md)
- [Chess clock](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess-clock.md)
- [Chess engine](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess-engine.md)
- [Chess Olympiad](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess-olympiad.md)
- [Chess pieces](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/piece.md)
- [Chess psychology](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess-psychology.md)
- [Chess training](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess-training.md)
- [Chess variant](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess-variant.md)
- [Chess960](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess960.md)
- [Chessboard](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chessboard.md)
- [Clamp](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/clamp.md)
- [Classical chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/classical-chess.md)
- [Clearance sacrifice](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/clearance-sacrifice.md)
- [Closed game](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/closed-game.md)
- [Closed Sicilian](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/closed-sicilian.md)
- [Coach](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/coach.md)
- [Colle system setup](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/colle-system-setup.md)
- [Color complex](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/color-complex.md)
- [Combination](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/combination.md)
- [Compensation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/compensation.md)
- [Concentration](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/concentration.md)
- [Confidence](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/confidence.md)
- [Connected passed pawns](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/connected-passed-pawns.md)
- [Connected pawns](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/connected-pawns.md)
- [Coordinates](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/coordinates.md)
- [Correspondence chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/correspondence-chess.md)
- [Corresponding squares](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/corresponding-squares.md)
- [Counterattack](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/counterattack.md)
- [Countergambit](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/countergambit.md)
- [Counterplay](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/counterplay.md)
- [Crazyhouse](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/crazyhouse.md)
- [Cutting off the king](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/cutting-off-the-king.md)

### D

- [Damiano's mate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/damianos-mate.md)
- [Database](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/database.md)
- [Dead position](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/dead-position.md)
- [Declined gambit](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/declined-gambit.md)
- [Decoy](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/decoy.md)
- [Deflection](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/deflection.md)
- [Delay](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/delay.md)
- [Deliberate practice](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/deliberate-practice.md)
- [Descriptive notation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/descriptive-notation.md)
- [Desperado piece](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/desperado-piece.md)
- [Development](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/development.md)
- [Diagonal](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/diagonal.md)
- [Diagonal opposition](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/diagonal-opposition.md)
- [Disambiguation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/disambiguation.md)
- [Discovered attack](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/discovered-attack.md)
- [Discovered check](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/discovered-check.md)
- [Distant opposition](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/distant-opposition.md)
- [Domination](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/domination.md)
- [Double attack](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/double-attack.md)
- [Double check](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/double-check.md)
- [Double round robin](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/double-round-robin.md)
- [Doubled pawns](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/doubled-pawns.md)
- [Dragon structure](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/dragon-structure.md)
- [Draw by agreement](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/draw-by-agreement.md)
- [Draw offer](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/draw-offer.md)
- [Dynamic play](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/dynamic-play.md)

### E

- [Early queen move](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/early-queen-move.md)
- [Elo rating](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/elo-rating.md)
- [En passant](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/en-passant.md)
- [Endgame](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/endgame.md)
- [Endgame study](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/endgame-study.md)
- [Endgame tablebase](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/endgame-tablebase.md)
- [Engine analysis](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/engine-analysis.md)
- [Epaulette mate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/epaulette-mate.md)
- [Evaluation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/evaluation.md)
- [Evaluation bar](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/evaluation-bar.md)
- [Exchange advantage](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/exchange-advantage.md)
- [Exchange sacrifice](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/exchange-sacrifice.md)

### F

- [Fair play](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/fair-play.md)
- [FEN](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/fen.md)
- [Fianchetto](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/fianchetto.md)
- [Fianchetto setup](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/fianchetto-setup.md)
- [FIDE](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/fide.md)
- [FIDE Master](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/fide-master.md)
- [FIDE rating](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/fide-rating.md)
- [Fifty-move rule](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/fifty-move-rule.md)
- [File](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/file.md)
- [Fivefold repetition](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/fivefold-repetition.md)
- [Flagging](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/flagging.md)
- [Flank attack](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/flank-attack.md)
- [Flank opening](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/flank-opening.md)
- [Fluid center](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/fluid-center.md)
- [Fool's mate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/fools-mate.md)
- [Forfeit](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/forfeit.md)
- [Fork](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/fork.md)
- [Fortress](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/fortress.md)
- [French structure](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/french-structure.md)
- [Frontal checks](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/frontal-checks.md)

### G

- [Gambit](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/gambit.md)
- [Game review](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/game-review.md)
- [Game review habit](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/game-review-habit.md)
- [Glicko rating](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/glicko-rating.md)
- [Good bishop](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/good-bishop.md)
- [Grandmaster](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/grandmaster.md)
- [Grandmaster norm](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/grandmaster-norm.md)
- [Greek gift sacrifice](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/greek-gift-sacrifice.md)
- [Grunfeld structure](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/grunfeld-structure.md)

### H

- [Half-move](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/half-move.md)
- [Half-open file](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/half-open-file.md)
- [Hanging pawns](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/hanging-pawns.md)
- [Hanging piece](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/hanging-piece.md)
- [Hedgehog structure](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/hedgehog-structure.md)
- [Hook mate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/hook-mate.md)
- [Horde chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/horde-chess.md)
- [Hyperbullet](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/hyperbullet.md)
- [Hypermodern opening](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/hypermodern-opening.md)

### I

- [Illegal move](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/illegal-move.md)
- [Inaccuracy](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/inaccuracy.md)
- [Increment](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/increment.md)
- [Initiative](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/initiative.md)
- [Insufficient material](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/insufficient-material.md)
- [Insufficient mating material](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/insufficient-mating-material.md)
- [Interference](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/interference.md)
- [International Master](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/international-master.md)
- [International Master norm](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/international-master-norm.md)
- [Invitational tournament](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/invitational-tournament.md)
- [Isolated pawn](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/isolated-pawn.md)
- [Isolated queen's pawn structure](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/isolated-queens-pawn-structure.md)
- [Italian setup](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/italian-setup.md)

### K

- [K-factor](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/k-factor.md)
- [Key squares](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/key-squares.md)
- [King](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/king.md)
- [King activity](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/king-activity.md)
- [King and pawn endgame](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/king-and-pawn-endgame.md)
- [King and queen checkmate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/king-and-queen-checkmate.md)
- [King and rook checkmate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/king-and-rook-checkmate.md)
- [King in the center](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/king-in-the-center.md)
- [King of the Hill](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/king-of-the-hill.md)
- [King safety](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/king-safety.md)
- [King's Indian structure](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/kings-indian-structure.md)
- [Kingside castling](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/kingside-castling.md)
- [Kingside pawn storm structure](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/kingside-pawn-storm-structure.md)
- [Knight](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/knight.md)
- [Knight endgame](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/knight-endgame.md)
- [Knight fork](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/knight-fork.md)
- [Knight versus bishop](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/knight-versus-bishop.md)
- [Knockout tournament](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/knockout-tournament.md)

### L

- [Ladder mate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/ladder-mate.md)
- [Lead in development](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/lead-in-development.md)
- [Legal's mate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/legals-mate.md)
- [London system setup](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/london-system-setup.md)
- [Long algebraic notation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/long-algebraic-notation.md)
- [Long side](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/long-side.md)
- [Loose piece](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/loose-piece.md)
- [Lucena position](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/lucena-position.md)

### M

- [Main line](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/main-line.md)
- [Maroczy bind](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/maroczy-bind.md)
- [Match play](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/match-play.md)
- [Material advantage](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/material-advantage.md)
- [Material imbalance](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/material-imbalance.md)
- [Mating attack](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/mating-attack.md)
- [Mating net](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/mating-net.md)
- [Minimax](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/minimax.md)
- [Minor piece endgame](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/minor-piece-endgame.md)
- [Minority attack](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/minority-attack.md)
- [Mirror defense](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/mirror-defense.md)
- [Missed win](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/missed-win.md)
- [Mistake](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/mistake.md)
- [Morphy's mate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/morphys-mate.md)
- [Move order](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/move-order.md)
- [Mutual zugzwang](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/mutual-zugzwang.md)

### N

- [Najdorf structure](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/najdorf-structure.md)
- [National federation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/national-federation.md)
- [Neural network engine](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/neural-network-engine.md)
- [Norm](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/norm.md)
- [Norm tournament](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/norm-tournament.md)
- [Novelty](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/novelty.md)

### O

- [Online rating](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/online-rating.md)
- [Open file](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/open-file.md)
- [Open game](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/open-game.md)
- [Open Sicilian](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/open-sicilian.md)
- [Open tournament](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/open-tournament.md)
- [Opening](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opening.md)
- [Opening book](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opening-book.md)
- [Opening explorer](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opening-explorer.md)
- [Opening preparation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opening-preparation.md)
- [Opening principles](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opening-principles.md)
- [Opening repertoire](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opening-repertoire.md)
- [Opening theory](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opening-theory.md)
- [Opera mate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opera-mate.md)
- [Opponent preparation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opponent-preparation.md)
- [Opposite-colored bishops](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opposite-colored-bishops.md)
- [Opposite-side castling](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opposite-side-castling.md)
- [Opposition](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/opposition.md)
- [Out of book](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/out-of-book.md)
- [Outpost](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/outpost.md)
- [Outside passed pawn](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/outside-passed-pawn.md)
- [Overloading](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/overloading.md)
- [Overprotection](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/overprotection.md)

### P

- [Pairing](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pairing.md)
- [Passed pawn](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/passed-pawn.md)
- [Passive rook](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/passive-rook.md)
- [Pattern recognition](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pattern-recognition.md)
- [Pawn](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pawn.md)
- [Pawn break](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pawn-break.md)
- [Pawn breakthrough](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pawn-breakthrough.md)
- [Pawn center](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pawn-center.md)
- [Pawn chain](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pawn-chain.md)
- [Pawn fork](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pawn-fork.md)
- [Pawn island](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pawn-island.md)
- [Pawn lever](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pawn-lever.md)
- [Pawn majority](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pawn-majority.md)
- [Pawn promotion race](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pawn-promotion-race.md)
- [Pawn shield](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pawn-shield.md)
- [Pawn storm](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pawn-storm.md)
- [Pawn tension](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pawn-tension.md)
- [Perpetual check](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/perpetual-check.md)
- [PGN](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pgn.md)
- [Philidor position](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/philidor-position.md)
- [Piece activity](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/piece-activity.md)
- [Piece coordination](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/piece-coordination.md)
- [Piece domination](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/piece-domination.md)
- [Piece exchange](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/piece-exchange.md)
- [Piece value](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/piece-value.md)
- [Pillsbury's mate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pillsburys-mate.md)
- [Pin](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pin.md)
- [Plateau](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/plateau.md)
- [Poisoned pawn](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/poisoned-pawn.md)
- [Positional play](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/positional-play.md)
- [Positional sacrifice](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/positional-sacrifice.md)
- [Post-game analysis](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/post-game-analysis.md)
- [Pre-game routine](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pre-game-routine.md)
- [Premove](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/premove.md)
- [Principal variation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/principal-variation.md)
- [Principle of two weaknesses](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/principle-of-two-weaknesses.md)
- [Promotion](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/promotion.md)
- [Prophylaxis](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/prophylaxis.md)
- [Protected passed pawn](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/protected-passed-pawn.md)
- [Provisional rating](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/provisional-rating.md)
- [Puzzle rating](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/puzzle-rating.md)
- [Puzzle theme](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/puzzle-theme.md)

### Q

- [Queen](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/queen.md)
- [Queen endgame](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/queen-endgame.md)
- [Queen sacrifice](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/queen-sacrifice.md)
- [Queen versus pawn](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/queen-versus-pawn.md)
- [Queen versus rook](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/queen-versus-rook.md)
- [Queenside castling](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/queenside-castling.md)
- [Queenside majority structure](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/queenside-majority-structure.md)
- [Quiet move](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/quiet-move.md)

### R

- [Rank](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rank.md)
- [Rapid chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rapid-chess.md)
- [Rapid playoff](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rapid-playoff.md)
- [Rapid rating](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rapid-rating.md)
- [Rating category](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rating-category.md)
- [Rating floor](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rating-floor.md)
- [Rating list](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rating-list.md)
- [Rating performance](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rating-performance.md)
- [Rating system](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rating-system.md)
- [Refutation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/refutation.md)
- [Relative pin](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/relative-pin.md)
- [Removing the defender](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/removing-the-defender.md)
- [Repertoire building](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/repertoire-building.md)
- [Reserve tempo](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/reserve-tempo.md)
- [Resignation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/resignation.md)
- [Resilience](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/resilience.md)
- [Restriction](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/restriction.md)
- [Reti maneuver](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/reti-maneuver.md)
- [Rook](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rook.md)
- [Rook and pawn versus rook](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rook-and-pawn-versus-rook.md)
- [Rook endgame](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rook-endgame.md)
- [Rook lift](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rook-lift.md)
- [Rook pawn](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rook-pawn.md)
- [Rook versus minor piece](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rook-versus-minor-piece.md)
- [Rook versus pawn](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rook-versus-pawn.md)
- [Round robin](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/round-robin.md)
- [Royal fork](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/royal-fork.md)
- [Rule of the square](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rule-of-the-square.md)
- [Rules of chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/rules-of-chess.md)

### S

- [Sacrifice](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/sacrifice.md)
- [Same-colored bishops](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/same-colored-bishops.md)
- [Scholar's mate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/scholars-mate.md)
- [Scholastic tournament](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/scholastic-tournament.md)
- [Scoresheet](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/scoresheet.md)
- [Search depth](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/search-depth.md)
- [Second rank defense](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/second-rank-defense.md)
- [Sectional](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/sectional.md)
- [Seeding](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/seeding.md)
- [Semi-open defense](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/semi-open-defense.md)
- [Semi-open game](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/semi-open-game.md)
- [Seventh rank](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/seventh-rank.md)
- [Seventy-five-move rule](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/seventy-five-move-rule.md)
- [Short side](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/short-side.md)
- [Shouldering](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/shouldering.md)
- [Sideline](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/sideline.md)
- [Simplification](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/simplification.md)
- [Simultaneous exhibition](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/simultaneous-exhibition.md)
- [Skewer](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/skewer.md)
- [Slav structure](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/slav-structure.md)
- [Smothered mate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/smothered-mate.md)
- [Sonneborn-Berger](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/sonneborn-berger.md)
- [Space advantage](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/space-advantage.md)
- [Spaced repetition](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/spaced-repetition.md)
- [Spanish setup](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/spanish-setup.md)
- [Square](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/square.md)
- [Stalemate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/stalemate.md)
- [Stalemate trick](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/stalemate-trick.md)
- [Starting position](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/starting-position.md)
- [Static advantage](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/static-advantage.md)
- [Staunton pieces](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/staunton-pieces.md)
- [Stockfish](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/stockfish.md)
- [Stonewall structure](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/stonewall-structure.md)
- [Strategic plan](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/strategic-plan.md)
- [Strong center](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/strong-center.md)
- [Study plan](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/study-plan.md)
- [Sudden death](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/sudden-death.md)
- [Swallow's tail mate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/swallows-tail-mate.md)
- [Swiss system](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/swiss-system.md)
- [Symmetrical position](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/symmetrical-position.md)
- [System opening](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/system-opening.md)
- [Syzygy tablebases](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/syzygy-tablebases.md)

### T

- [Tabiya](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/tabiya.md)
- [Tactic](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/tactic.md)
- [Tactical motif](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/tactical-motif.md)
- [Tactical play](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/tactical-play.md)
- [Tactics training](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/tactics-training.md)
- [Tarrasch rule](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/tarrasch-rule.md)
- [Team event](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/team-event.md)
- [Tempo](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/tempo.md)
- [Theoretical draw](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/theoretical-draw.md)
- [Theoretical win](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/theoretical-win.md)
- [Thinking process](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/thinking-process.md)
- [Three-check chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/three-check-chess.md)
- [Threefold repetition](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/threefold-repetition.md)
- [Tiebreak](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/tiebreak.md)
- [Tilt](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/tilt.md)
- [Time control](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/time-control.md)
- [Time management](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/time-management.md)
- [Time odds](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/time-odds.md)
- [Time scramble](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/time-scramble.md)
- [Title application](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/title-application.md)
- [Title requirement](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/title-requirement.md)
- [Touch-move rule](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/touch-move-rule.md)
- [Transposition](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/transposition.md)
- [Trap in the opening](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/trap-in-the-opening.md)
- [Trapped piece](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/trapped-piece.md)
- [Trebuchet](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/trebuchet.md)
- [Triangulation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/triangulation.md)
- [Two bishops checkmate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/two-bishops-checkmate.md)
- [Two knights endgame](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/two-knights-endgame.md)

### U

- [Underpromotion](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/underpromotion.md)
- [US Chess rating](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/us-chess-rating.md)
- [USCF](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/uscf.md)

### V

- [Vacating sacrifice](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/vacating-sacrifice.md)
- [Vancura position](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/vancura-position.md)
- [Visualization](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/visualization.md)

### W

- [Waiting move](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/waiting-move.md)
- [Weak pawn](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/weak-pawn.md)
- [Weak square](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/weak-square.md)
- [Windmill](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/windmill.md)
- [Winning chances](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/winning-chances.md)
- [Woman FIDE Master](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/woman-fide-master.md)
- [Woman Grandmaster](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/woman-grandmaster.md)
- [Woman International Master](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/woman-international-master.md)
- [World Chess Championship](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/world-chess-championship.md)
- [Worst-placed piece](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/worst-placed-piece.md)
- [Wrong rook pawn](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/wrong-rook-pawn.md)
- [Wrong-colored bishop](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/wrong-colored-bishop.md)

### X

- [X-ray attack](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/x-ray-attack.md)

### Z

- [Zugzwang](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/zugzwang.md)
- [Zwischenzug](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/zwischenzug.md)

## Guides that go with the glossary

- [Chess ratings explained](https://georgelichess.com/chess-ratings-explained.md): What a rating measures, how FIDE, Lichess, US Chess and chess.com compute theirs, and why the numbers differ.
- [FIDE chess titles](https://georgelichess.com/titles.md): How the Candidate Master, FIDE Master, International Master and Grandmaster titles are earned, with every Handbook clause.
- [How to choose a chess coach](https://georgelichess.com/how-to-choose-a-chess-coach.md): What to decide first, the questions to ask, what a first lesson should show and the red flags to avoid.
- [How much does chess coaching cost?](https://georgelichess.com/chess-coaching-cost.md): Published rates for private, group and subscription chess coaching, with the source and the date of each.
- [Free chess tools](https://georgelichess.com/tools.md): Rating, US Chess rating, performance, time control and title norm calculators that show their formulas and sources.
- [The first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book/first-lesson.md): A game review, a read on your level and a written study plan from George Li.

[Book your first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book.md) and George Li reviews your games and builds a study plan around them. Questions about lessons: write to hello@georgelichess.com.

## Related

- [Chess terms: Tactics and combinations](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/tactics.md)
- [Chess terms: Strategy](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/strategy.md)
- [Chess terms: Endgames](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/endgames.md)
- [Chess terms: Opening concepts](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/opening-concepts.md)
- [Chess terms: Rules, notation and equipment](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/rules-notation.md)
- [Chess terms: Tournaments, ratings and titles](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/tournaments-ratings-titles.md)
- [Chess terms: Time controls and formats](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/time-controls.md)
- [Chess terms: Computer chess and analysis](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/computer-chess.md)
- [Chess terms: Training and psychology](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/training-psychology.md)