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R

R: Abbreviation for Rook.

Rank: A row of squares running from side to side of the board e ach side numbers the ranks from one to eight, starting with the rank nearest him and running to the rank nearest his opponent. Also, any horizontal row on a Chessboard.

Rapid Chess: A Chess game where each player has 30 minutes in which complete the game; previously called Active Chess by FIDE. In the US, the preferred term is Action Chess and in the UK the expression Quick Play is employed.

Rat: Another name for the Modern Defense.

Rating: A number that measures a player's relative strength. The higher the number, the stronger the player . In the UK, the term grading is used in place of rating.

Refute: To prove that a previously accepted move, line, or opening is deficient when best play is pursued by both sides.

Remis: German for draw.

Repetition of Position: A player may claim a draw if he can demonstrate that a three-fold repetition of the position has occurred, with the same player having the move each time.

Resign: When a player realizes that he is going to lose and graciously gives up the game without waiting for a Checkmate. When resigning, a player can simply say, "I resign", or he can tip over his King in a gesture of helplessness.

Retrograde Analysis: To analyze a position to deduce previous moves or to explain how the position was reached.

Round Robin: Tournament where each contestant plays one game with every other contestant.

Royal Fork: A Fork that attacks both the King and the Queen.

Royal Game: Commonly used description for the game of Chess.

Ruy Lopez: One of the oldest Chess openings. Also known as the Spanish Game, it was analyzed by Ruy Lopez in his 1561 book "Libro del Ajedrez".