An encyclopedia, worthy of the game.
For centuries chess belonged to books. Then it belonged to engines. Caissly is the third chapter — chess, written in our age, for those who still wish to read.
- Openings
- 3,161
- Annotated games
- 110
- Player profiles
- 43
- Essays
- 13
- Variants
- 6
- Glossary terms
- 46
From the editor's desk
Praggnanandhaa Wins Norway Chess 2026
Last and 5½ points back after seven rounds, Praggnanandhaa won his final four classical games — over Firouzja, Carlsen, Gukesh and Keymer — to take the title on Carlsen's home soil. He is the first Indian to win Norway Chess.
The world No. 1 has lost twice in three classical games on home turf, sitting four points behind Alireza Firouzja after four rounds of ten.
The most analysed opening in chess begins with a quiet pawn move. Here is what 5...a6 is really for, what each White system wants, and how Black fights back.
A practical guide to the Spanish Opening — the idea behind 3.Bb5, Black's main defences, and the plans that decide the long maneuvering battles.
Six ways to open the book.
Openings
Every ECO classification A00–E99, with playable boards, master-game statistics, and editorial coverage on the most studied lines.
Games
Annotated landmark games — Fischer in 1956, Kasparov–Topalov, the modern world-championship era — each with playable board and editorial body.
Players
Biographies of the world's strongest players, past and present. Career arcs, peak ratings, signature openings, links to live profiles.
Essays
Long-form editorial on the state of chess — openings theory in the engine era, Carlsen's abdication, the rise of the new champions.
Variants
Chess960, Bughouse, Crazyhouse, King of the Hill, Atomic, Antichess — the side rooms of the game, with rules and play links.
Glossary
The vocabulary of the game — zugzwang, prophylaxis, Maróczy Bind, fianchetto — each defined and linked to positions and games where it matters.
The faces of the book.
Games that made the book.
Beyond the main board.
The library is open.
Pick a door.
Begin with the openings tree — the interactive explorer covers every line in the encyclopedia. Or read an essay over coffee. Or look up a player whose games you've always meant to study.