John McCrary
![Queen Bishop](/sites/default/files/styles/350x200_scale_and_smart_crop/public/media/images/queenbishopcropped.jpg.webp?itok=y6xe_FfT)
The history of Western society suggests some answers on how bishops became soldiers and how queens became the strongest warrior in the chess army.… Read More »
![Perpetual Check](/sites/default/files/styles/350x200_scale_and_smart_crop/public/media/images/perpcheck.jpg.webp?itok=0YoN7bEr)
Early attempts at these rules were too ambiguous for proper enforcement, and later attempts were made to provide clarity on dealing with repeat moves… Read More »
![The Chess Player by George Walker](/sites/default/files/styles/350x200_scale_and_smart_crop/public/media/images/thechessplayerscript.jpg.webp?itok=4X3Mf85x)
The 50-move draw rule took centuries to reach its modern definition.Read More »
![Stalemate](/sites/default/files/styles/350x200_scale_and_smart_crop/public/media/images/stalematecropped.jpg.webp?itok=faCGtF2b)
Though the concept of stalemate had long been recognized, there was no universally accepted rule on its significance before the 19th century.Read… Read More »
![En Passant](/sites/default/files/styles/350x200_scale_and_smart_crop/public/media/images/enpassantcropped.jpg.webp?itok=n96XyUnE)
For centuries, pawns could move forward two squares on their initial move. But the rules were debated when the move bypassed control of an enemy pawn… Read More »
![The Evolution of Modern Chess Rules](/sites/default/files/styles/350x200_scale_and_smart_crop/public/media/images/oldchesspicturecropped.jpg.webp?itok=US_NaMLS)
Throughout the history of chess, the only direction a pawn could move is forward. The only variable left was what happened when a pawn reached the… Read More »
![Chess Castling](/sites/default/files/styles/350x200_scale_and_smart_crop/public/media/images/castling3.jpg.webp?itok=guvXLsUH)
Part Three of former US Chess President John McCrary's historical series tracks the progression of the modern-day castling maneuver.Read More »
![White on Right](/sites/default/files/styles/350x200_scale_and_smart_crop/public/media/images/whiteonright2.jpg.webp?itok=R2djMdoS)
Former US Chess President John McCrary continues his historical series by examining when and how White received the first move.Read More »
![Former US Chess Federation President John McCrary](/sites/default/files/styles/350x200_scale_and_smart_crop/public/media/images/mccrary.jpg.webp?itok=BwPVP-t7)
Former US Chess President John McCrary digs up the origins of chess' rules as we know them, beginning his historical series discussing the draw.Read… Read More »