Singapore Grandmaster (1998) born in China. Asian Champion in 2005. FIDE Trainer (2011). World Junior Vice Champion in 1996. Champion of China in 2001. Youth Chinese Champion in 1990. Learned the royal game when he was eight years old. Besides chess, Zhang Zhong has an interest in sports, music and literature. Best results: He won

What is chess strategy? The art of chess strategy is knowing how to formulate a plan for the chess game, and arrange your chess pieces to accomplish this plan. The chess strategy outlined below will get any new chess player on the road to understanding correct chess opening strategy – how to control the chess

From the time the game begins, you should remember that every move you make may affect your chances in the endgame. For instance, in the earlier parts of the game, a knight and a bishop are about equally powerful. Toward the end of the game, though, when there are fewer men in the way, the

Everyone knows that the object of the game is to checkmate the opponent’s king. But sometimes a player thinks about his own plans so much that he forgets that his opponent is also king hunting! It’s generally a good idea to place your king in a safe place by castling early in the game. Once

If you threaten something here in one move, something over there in the next move, and so forth, your opponent will have an easy time defending. Your pieces have to work together to be effective. Just imagine each instrument in an orchestra playing a different tune! When you develop a plan, your men can work

Chess is a game of strategy and tactics. Each player commands an army of 16 chessmen — pawns and other pieces (the king, queen, bishops, knights, and rooks). A well-played chess game has three stages. In the opening, the players bring out their forces in preparation for combat. The middlegame begins as the players maneuver

Russian Grandmaster (1997). World U20 Champion 1999, European U12 Champion in 1991. Best results: Metz Open 2000, 1-2nd; Isle of Man 2005, 3rd; Russian Championship Higher League 2011; 2-3rd. A participant in the 2000 and 2004 World Championships and in the 2007 World Cup. Peak rating: 2624 in 2008, he is not active since 2014.

French Grandmaster (2007). Best results: NAO Open GM 2003, 1st; Calvia Open 2005, 2nd-7th; Jura Open 2006, 1st; Geneva 2007, 2nd; Montpellier Masters 2007, 1st; Biel MTO 2008, 2nd; French Championship 2008, 5th; Caen Open 2012, 1-4th; Caligari Open 2012, 1st; London Classic Open 2016, 1-2nd; London Classic Open 2017, 1-3rd. A participant in the

French Grandmaster (1996) born in Russia and living in France since 1998 after a stay of 15 years in Kazakhstan. European Champion in 2007. French Champion in 2006 and Vice Champion in 2007, Kazakh Champion in 1991 and 1992, Kazakh U20 Champion in 1988 and 1989. Won or shared first in Okham 1993, Port Erin Open

Peruvian Grandmaster (1986) and one of the best players of South America since for more than 10 years. American Continental Champion in 2007 and 2012, 2013 and 2014. Peruvian Champion in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, and 2002. Gold medal for the best individual score on board one at the Panamerican team championship 1987. Best results: