The Palace Journal
Chess is about far more than 64 squares. This section explores its place in our culture: the history of chess, from its Indian origins to the digital age, the best films and series about chess, the manga that feature it, or unusual disciplines such as chessboxing. You’ll also relive the duel that changed the history of artificial intelligence, Kasparov versus Deep Blue. And if history inspires you, discover our historical and themed chess sets.
A haunted automaton, a medieval fresco, a champion who died in Estoril, novels by Nabokov and Zweig: five dark, verified chess stories for a memorable Halloween evening.
En passant is the only move that allows a pawn to capture an enemy pawn without occupying an adjacent diagonal square. Conditions, a step-by-step example and pitfalls to avoid: the complete guide to this special chess rule.
In 1996 and again in 1997, Garry Kasparov faced IBM’s supercomputer Deep Blue. Revisit these two historic matches, the move that unsettled the champion, and the legacy of this duel for chess and artificial intelligence.
A full portrait of Alexandra and Andrea Botez, the streaming sisters who made chess go viral on Twitch and YouTube: age, FIDE titles, Elo rating and key moments in their careers.
Born in Iran and naturalised French in 2021, Alireza Firouzja reached 2804 Elo points as early as 2022, a record for early achievement. A full portrait of the French-Iranian prodigy, from his beginnings in Babol to his place in the world’s top tier alongside Carlsen, Nakamura and the new guard.
Chessboxing is one of the most unusual sports in the world: competitors alternate between boxing rounds and rapid chess games, testing both their physical strength and their strategic intelligence. Born from a comic book and now a genuine international sport, chessboxing fascinates and intrigues. Here’s everything you need to know. What is chessboxing? Chessboxing (or […]
Chess, with its origins tracing back to the ancient Indian game of Chaturanga, has become a symbol of strategy, intelligence and sophistication. Over the centuries, this game has been adopted and adapted by different cultures, becoming a worldwide pastime for millions. But for some, chess is not just a game, it is also a form […]
Cinema has often flirted with the mysterious world of chess, attempting to capture the beauty and complexity of this ancient game. But among all these films, one shines particularly brightly: “Searching for Bobby Fischer”. If you’ve never heard of this gem, prepare to be captivated! The story of a prodigy: Released in 1993 and directed […]
Introduction Every summer, new game trends appear on beaches around the world. This year, a new sensation is taking sandy shores by storm: beach chess. Combining the enjoyment of chess with the relaxation of the beach, this activity has quickly become a must for chess enthusiasts who want to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air. […]
Chess is not an Olympic sport. Chess at the Olympic Games is represented by the Chess Olympiad in the classic sense — a worldwide event that brings together more than 180 nations every two years. Chess and the Olympic Games: a complex history Chess has been recognised as a sport by the International Olympic Committee […]
