Hi Friends! If you've been following this blog (I know I'm posting super often and it's hard to keep up), you've learned how the pieces move and some basics in Chess Intro, how to beat the most common beginner's opening in Scholar's Mate? Think Again!, and how to mate with some common combos of pieces in Chess Endgames 101. The next step in your chess learning with me is how to set yourself up for success in the opening phase of the game. The three major principles the video

Hi Friends! Continuing our Introduction to Chess series, I've made two videos to help you finish your games. In my opinion, endgames are the foundation of chess. As the great World Champion José Raúl Capablanca said: "In order to improve your game, you must study the endgame before everything else." In most beginner games, the game will come down to a situation with very few pieces left. The person who promotes a pawn to a queen first usually wins. To do that though, you need

Hey Friends! Now that you know how to move the pieces (if you need a refresher, check out Chess Intro), let's learn about a common opening checkmate trap and how to stop it! You won't believe how many games between beginners end like this! Scholar’s Mate, also known as the four-move checkmate, is where White uses the queen and light squared bishop to attack Black’s weak f7 square and deliver checkmate before Black has finished developing. It’s very common among beginners and

Hi Friends! "Cariwch eich calon yn eich llaw." This is a Welsh quote literally translated to “Carry your heart in your hand” meaning travel free and embrace new experiences. Over the last week and a half, July 4-12, 2026, I had the opportunity to travel with Seattle Children’s Chorus to the United Kingdom of Great Britain. Buckle up folks, it’s going to be an epic journey! The journey began at Sea-Tac airport on July 4th. Happy 250th USA! After clearing security, our au

Hey Friends! One of the fun things I'm doing this summer is working for Pawn to Queen Chess Coaching, by kids for kids! I was recently promoted and now serve the roles of Advanced Coach as well as Director of Curriculum, where I get to design many exercises and videos to help folks learn chess. Below you'll find my video "How to Play Chess" designed to help someone completely unfamiliar with the game playing in no time! Now that you know how to play the game, check out a ches