Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Chess Terms [F]
  Glossary of Chess Terms, Definitions, and Acronyms Chess has a rich vocabulary with many terms and acronyms ranging from from ACP to Zwischenzug. Here we provide an alphabetical list of chess terms along with their definitions as well as various acronyms and their definitions. It is our intention for this to be the most comprehensive and complete list available on the Internet. Our glossary of terms and acronyms will be updated on a regular basis as our readers inform us of additions. [FEN] [Fianchetto] [FIDE] [FIDE Master] [Figurine Notation] [Fifty Move Rule] [File] [Fish] [Five Minute/Blitz] [Flag] [Flank] [FM] [Fool's Mate] [Force] [Forced] [Forfeit] [Fork] [Fortress] FEN [Top] Acronym Forsyth-Edwards Notation. Definition A standard for describing chess positions using a text character set. Fianchetto [Top] Definition An Italian word meaning, "on the flank." When a Bishop is developed on QN2 or KN2 (b2 or g2 for White and b7 or g7 for Black), it is called a fianchettoed Bishop. This term applies only to Bishops. Side Note This places the Bishop in a less aggressive position in the short term than if it were developed on its longer initial diagonal. For the long term, the Bishop occupies the longest diagonal on the chess board and usually enters active play at a later stage of the game. A double fianchetto means that both Bishops of the same color are developed to N2. Pronuciation Fee-an-ket-to. FIDE [Top] Acronym Federation Internationale des Echecs, the International Chess Federation. Side Notes Founded on July 20, 1924 in Paris, The International Chess Federation, or Federation Internationale des Echecs, is the recognised international federation in the domain of chess. FIDE unites national chess federations throughout the world, and oversees all International competitions. FIDE is recognised by the International Olympic Committee as the supreme body responsible for the game of chess and its Championships. See Is Chess a Sport? The Debate goes on. Pronunciation Fee-day, rhymes with "free day." FIDE Master [Top] Definition An individual with the lowest International Chess Title. Figurine Notation [Top] Definition Similar to algebraic notation, except the pieces are represented by graphics instead of letters. Side Note Since figurine notation is not specific to any particular language, it is a universal system of publishing chess games which transcends the human languages. Fifty Move Rule [Top] Definition A type of draw where both players make 50 moves consecutively without either player advancing a pawn or making a capture. File [Top] Definition A vertical column of eight squares running from the White side of the chessboard to the Black side of the board. Side Notes In Algebraic notation, the files are labelled 'a' to 'h', starting from the Queenside, the left side of the player having the White pieces. An "open file" is a file that is not blocked by either side's pawns. Both the White and Black Kings start the game on the same file which is called the e-file. Fish [Top] Definition A derogatory term denoting a weak chess player. Five Minute/Blitz [Top] Definition A game where each player has five minutes to make all his moves. Flag [Top] Definition The part of an analog clock that rises when the minute hand nears the hour and falls at the hour. Flank [Top] Definition Flank is a generic term that includes both the Kingside and the Queenside on the chess board. Side Notes "Flank Openings" are openings that deal with flank development. Using chess notation, the a-, b-, and c-files make up Queenside flank, while the f-, g-, and h-files make up the Kingside flank. Typical starts for such systems are 1.c4, 1.Nf3, 1.b3, 1.g3, etc. The term is especially useful when discussing operations that can occur on either side, such as: a flank attack, a flank opening, or the development of a flank. Wing is used frequently to mean the same thing. FM [Top] Acronym FIDE master. Fool’s Mate [Top] Definition A 2-move mate similar to 1. f3?? e5 2. g4??? Qh4# Force [Top] Definition Material--all pieces and pawns are units of force. Forced [Top] Definition A move or series of moves that must be played if "disaster" is to be avoided. Examples 1. You face a forced move when a checked King only has one legal move to get out of check. 2. A Knight (or any other piece) is attacked and has only one safe square to go to. Moving it to that safe square is also considered to be forced, even though other moves could legally be played. Forfeit [Top] Definitions Has 2 Definitions, depending upon context; 1. When you don’t show up for a game, which is therefore not rated. 2. When someone loses on time, a “time forfeit,” which is rated like any other loss. Fork [Top] Definition A tactical maneuver in which a piece or pawn attacks two enemy pieces or pawns at the same time, usually by a Knight or Pawn, thus looking like a “fork” in the road. Side Note A fork is a common form of a double attack. Any piece, except a Pawn on a Rook file, can fork the enemy pieces. In a triple fork, three enemy pieces are attacked. Fortress [Top] Definition This is a defensive position where an outnumbered force prevents the opponent from making progress. This is done by creating a formation which the opponent's pieces are unable to penetrate. Side Note The material imbalance would normally result in a loss. The player creating the fortress seeks a drawn game. Note: This is a work in progress. As more terms are added this will be updated for their terms and definitions. Eventually, a separate section will be added for acronyms. You can help us make this the most complete list of chess terms by adding your comments to Chess Speak - What are they talking about? |
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