The endgame is one of the most important phases of a chess game. Although the opening sets the game in motion, and the middlegame involves a significant amount of attacks and counterattacks, the endgame is where actual precision counts the most. At the point of the endgame, both players have very few pieces remaining, meaning there is a greater emphasis on technique, calculation, and an understanding of fundamental principles.

At the endgame, the king becomes a key fighting piece. Centralizing the king makes it possible for it to support pawns, restrict the opponent's movement, and attack weaknesses. Passed pawns play a crucial role in the endgame because they can quickly turn into winning assets. A pawn that has a clear path to promotion often decides the outcome of a game.

In the endgame, keeping your pieces in the center is an advantage. A knight, rook, or even the king controls more squares from central positions, making it easier to influence both sides of the board and respond quickly to threats.

When you are ahead in material, trading pieces usually helps secure the win because it limits your opponent’s chances to fight back. On the other hand, if you’re behind, it’s smarter to avoid unnecessary exchanges so you can keep pressure and look for opportunities to turn the game around.

​In chess, checkmate refers to the decisive move that marks the victory for a player in the game of chess. Checkmate happens when a king is in check or under an inextricable threat of capture. Unlike many board games that rely on point accumulation, chess is won by trapping the opponent's king in an inescapable position—though the king is never physically captured. Once a checkmate is delivered, the game ends immediately.

The rules of the game forbid a player from making a move that puts or leaves their own king in check, so once a checkmate occurs, the game ends immediately. There are many types of checkmate patterns. Back-rank mate traps a king behind its own pawns while a rook or queen delivers the final blow. A Smothered mate occurs when a knight checkmates a king surrounded by its own pieces with no room to escape. Fool's Mate is the quickest checkmate in chess, occurring in just two moves after careless pawn advances leave the king exposed.

​One unusual aspect of the game of chess is the stalemate. This occurs when the player whose turn it is has a king that is not in check, but lacks any moves to a safe square. If the king moves to any surrounding square it will be in check. At the same time, none of the other pieces can make moves that save the king. (If the king is in check and cannot move anywhere, that is considered a checkmate and the game ends in a loss.)

A stalemate ends the game in a draw and may occur in endgame scenarios with very few pieces remaining on the board. While the stalemate doesn’t benefit the side that is winning, it can be part of a defensive strategy on the part of the weaker player. This is because they receive a half point, rather than the zero points that accrue in a loss.

Stalemates are rare but can occur at even the highest level. Grand masters Anatoly Karpov and Viktor Korchnoi reached a stalemate in the 124th move of the 1978 World Chess Championship’s fifth game. This was the longest game in a final match in the event’s history. A bishop endgame, it concluded with Korchnoi’s bishop unable to either defend or attack, and his king not able to force the opponent’s king into a checkmate.

​
The world is now interconnected in a way that borders are no longer barriers, allowing businesses to take advantage of this unique opportunity to facilitate growth and expansion. The right business immigration strategy is often key to taking advantage of these opportunities. Corporate immigration provides access to an enlarged talent pool, enabling businesses to secure talented individuals and skilled experts from across the globe.

This approach, also known as business immigration, grants corporate institutions access to a broader global talent pool, allowing them to hire the brightest and finest experts from anywhere in the world. Access to a multifaceted global talent pool unlocks the vast potential of diverse professionals with broadened perspectives. This can drive growth, foster innovation, enhance critical problem-solving capabilities, and promote a highly productive and creative work culture within organizations.

Corporate immigration has become a crucial factor for many businesses to sustain growth, innovation, and global expansion. The ability to hire a diverse talent pool, bridge skill gaps, expand into new markets, and drive innovation makes it essential for companies to remain competitive in today's interconnected world. Recognizing its impact, businesses should consider corporate immigration a strategic imperative to stay nimble and adaptable in a fast-changing global landscape, as corporate immigration can be a key contributor to unlocking new opportunities and ensuring long-term success.

​The first half of 2024 has been an active year for venture capitalists. However, deal activity is still below the highs recorded in 2022.

According to data from PitchBook, venture investing in the first half of 2024 reached $93.4 billion. Venture capitalists put $37.8 billion into startups in the first quarter of 2024 and $55.6 billion in the second quarter. The 47 percent jump in funding from Q1 to Q2 was attributable to increased funding in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. Companies such as xAI raised $6 billion, CoreWeave raised $1.1 billion, and Scale AI raised $1 billion. Some of the companies that raised large sums outside AI were Xaira Therapeutics ($1 billion), Wiz ($1 billion), and Cruise ($850 million).

The amount raised in Q2 of 2024 was the highest quarterly raise in two years, but still far below the quarterly record high of $97.5 billion in Q4 of 2021. Funding commitments were also down in the first half of 2024, with only $37.4 billion in new fund commitments. Two reasons why venture capital investing has been low in the last couple of years are higher interest rates and a slower IPO market.

​The US News and World Report rated Arizona State University Law School, Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, America’s most innovative university. In 2023, ASU Law introduced artificial intelligence across its multiple degree programs, becoming America’s first law school to fully incorporate generative AI in its admission process.

Since then, ASU Law has continued to utilize AI both in and out of the classroom to offer an innovative legal education program to students pursuing the Master of Legal Studies (MLS), Master of Laws (LLM), and Juris Doctor (JD) degree programs.

In addition, the move introduced new legal courses such as AI in Legal Operations and Privacy and Legal Ethics in AI. The goal is to equip students with skills for integrating technology into legal practice. According to Stacy Leeds, Willard H. Pedrick Dean, and Regents and Foundation Professor of Law at Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, ASU Law is the first law school in the US to emphasize AI across several law degree programs.

According to Ms. Leeds, students at the law school will get an opportunity to explore the relationship between law and technology, thus positioning themselves for success in a fast-changing legal landscape dominated by artificial intelligence.

Including AI in legal programs aligns with the institution’s commitment to providing innovative legal education. ASU Law has showcased its expertise in AI through the annual GETS (Governance of Emerging Technologies and Science) conference. GETS and other initiatives demonstrate ASU Law School’s dedication to promoting the understanding and application of artificial intelligence in the legal profession.

​Starting your chess journey involves understanding key strategies that can enhance your gameplay. Developing these strategies early on provides a solid foundation for future progress. The opening move, for instance, plays a crucial role in shaping the rest of your game. Opting for control of the center of the board is a fundamental principle. Placing your pawns on central squares like e4 or d4 enables greater mobility for your pieces.

Positioning your knights and bishops effectively also has advantages. Knights typically perform best when placed on the central squares, where they control more territory. Develop bishops early to influence the game from a distance. Connecting your rooks by moving your queen and ensuring your king’s safety through castling should not be overlooked.

Another essential strategy involves pawn structure. Avoid creating weaknesses, such as isolated or doubled pawns, as they can become targets for your opponent. The pawns should support each other, forming a solid defense line. Understanding how to create and exploit pawn chains can also give you a strategic advantage.

The concept of piece coordination is pivotal. Ensure your pieces work together rather than in isolation. Knights and bishops often complement each other well, with knights covering the squares that bishops cannot and vice versa. Effective coordination can lead to successful attacks and solid defenses.

Considering your opponent’s potential moves is equally important. Anticipating their plans allows you to counter effectively and avoid traps. Recognizing patterns and familiarizing yourself with common tactics, such as forks, pins, and skewers, can help in offense and defense.

Finally, practicing endgames is beneficial. Knowing how to execute checkmates with minimal pieces, such as a king and a rook or a king and a queen, ensures you can finish a game efficiently. Understanding basic endgame principles, like opposition and zugzwang, can significantly impact close matches.

​During the early stages of a startup, entrepreneurs face many challenges. Without proper guidance and mentorship, these obstacles can be overwhelming and increase the chances of failure. In a fast-paced and competitive business environment, startups require mentors who can bring in their knowledge and experience. For starters, early-stage startup mentors provide company founders with valuable business support. They also help new business managers understand the value of thorough market research, identify potential dangers, and how to mitigate them.

Startup mentors guide businesses on how to survive a crisis, such as an economic downturn, to avoid distress and when it’s safe to make major business decisions. Mentors also help startups nurture skills in strategic decision-making and goal-setting and provide insights into key market trends and consumer behavior. Startup mentors also study business models, share appropriate feedback, and refine pitches/proposals.

Since startups are new, they often lack key networks to position themselves for success. Startup mentors understand networks are a valuable asset and help new entrepreneurs gain access to a wide pool of contacts and resources. Since they’re industry captains and successful professionals, they can connect startup owners with potential investors and fellow industry leaders and assist them in hiring the best-qualified staff. Mentors can also allow startups to access their facilities, such as workshops, which will enable them to design their prototypes or organize for discounts and other benefits on software or other types of equipment.

​Becoming a chess master is a journey that requires dedication, strategic thinking, and consistent effort. The path to mastery involves several vital steps to improve skills, such as understanding the fundamentals.

Mastering the rules, piece movements, and basic tactics forms the foundation for advanced strategies. Practice regularly and use daily chess puzzles to enhance tactical skills and problem-solving abilities, vital during actual games.

Analyzing games, both personal and those of established masters, plays a significant role in improving performance. Reviewing past games helps identify mistakes and understand different strategies. Studying grandmaster games exposes individuals to various styles and techniques, broadening their strategic perspective.

Next, study opening theory. Learning and practicing various openings prepares individuals for different opponents and positions. A well-prepared opening can provide a substantial advantage, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Equally important is the endgame. Understanding fundamental endgame principles, such as king and pawn positioning, can turn a potential draw into a win.

Joining a chess club or community helps the journey. Regularly playing with diverse opponents challenges individuals and helps them adapt to different playing styles. Additionally, receiving feedback from more experienced players is a formality and a source of valuable insights and suggestions for improvement.

Putting time into chess books will improve abilities even further. Online and in-print materials cover everything from basic techniques to sophisticated ones. Including these items in a study regimen broadens knowledge and introduces individuals to novel concepts.

Mastery in chess requires competitive play. Entering local or internet competitions enables individuals to use their knowledge under duress. These contests provide a priceless experience that helps individuals become resilient and adjust to high-stakes circumstances.

Finally, maintain a balanced approach—the best performance results from mental health, physical fitness, and enough rest. A healthy lifestyle helps individuals stay focused and make decisions when playing games.

​Obtaining a Green Card allows you to stay in the US on a permanent basis. To apply for a Green Card, you must meet specific criteria.

One way to qualify is through family connections. You can apply for a Green Card if you are an immediate relative of a US citizen, such as a spouse, an unmarried child under 21, or a parent of a US citizen aged 21 or older. Partners of US citizens such as fiancés and widows are also eligible.

Employment-based eligibility includes immigrant workers who fall under first, second, or third preference categories, which cover individuals with extraordinary ability, advanced degrees, or specific skills. Special immigrants eligible for a Green Card include religious workers, special immigrant juveniles, and nationals from Afghanistan or Iraq who worked for or with the US government. International broadcasters and employees or family members of international organizations or NATO are also eligible.

Refugees or asylees who were granted asylum or admitted as refugees at least one year ago may apply for a Green Card. Special immigrant juveniles and those who qualify under the Cuban Adjustment Act or the Haitian Refugee Immigration Fairness Act (HRIFA) are also eligible. You may also register for a Green Card if you have resided continuously in the US since before January 1, 1972.