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Lakshminathan

Co-founder of ChessAlive · fundamentals, strategy & improvement

Lakshminathan is a co-founder of ChessAlive and a lifelong chess player. He started ChessAlive to build the learning tool he wished he had as a beginner — one that explains why a move is good, not just which move to play. He writes the foundational guides on this site and is happiest helping new players turn a pile of confusing rules into a clear plan. He plays most of his games at rapid time controls and believes almost everyone underestimates how far daily tactics and honest game review can take them.

Guides by Lakshminathan

Start here

How to Play Chess

The board, every piece's move, check and checkmate, and the special rules.

 Fundamentals

Rules & Notation

Read and write moves, plus castling, en passant, promotion, and draws.

 Strategy

Strategy for Beginners

Make a real plan: the centre, piece activity, and pawn structure.

 Improve

How to Get Better

A realistic study plan that actually moves your rating.

 Reference

Chess Glossary

Every common chess term, defined in plain English.

Play and practise

Try the ideas from these guides against ChessAlive's friendly coach bots — free.

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