Note: in chess, amateurs can win money, sometimes quite a bit, at tournaments like the World Open.Īttack: When you move a piece to a square where you could capture an opponent’s piece NEXT move.īack Rank: The rank where a player sets up his major pieces (1st for White 8th for Black)īack-Rank Mate: A checkmate on the 1st or 8th rank with a Rook or Queen.īattery: Lining up two pieces that move similarly, like a Queen and Rook or Queen and Bishop.īlitz: Fast chess. At the US Amateur, masters cannot play at the US Amateur Team tournaments, the team has to average below master rating. Replaced older Descriptive Notation (“P-K4" is now "e4") about 1970.Īmateur: In chess, a non-master. And even though the Rook is not a "castle" and the Knight is not a "horse", the beginner at chess will find many useful definitions here, compiled by National Master Dan Heisman.Īction Chess: A game where each player only has 30 minutes to make all his moves.Īlgebraic Notation: A method for writing moves down by using the names of the pieces and the ranks and files. One of the best ways to make progress at chess is to become familiar with the terminology used by chess players.