Chess is one of the most beloved games in history, combining strategy, patience, and a dash of creativity. But if you’re new, it can feel a bit daunting with all the different pieces and rules. Don’t worry—once you get the basics down, you’ll be ready to jump into the game. Let’s go over the essentials, step by step, so you can start playing chess with confidence.
Getting the Board Ready
The chessboard has 64 squares in an 8×8 grid with alternating light and dark colors. When setting it up, make sure each player has a light-colored square at their bottom right. Then, place the pieces like this:
- Back Row (the row closest to you): Line up your Rook, Knight, Bishop, Queen, King, Bishop, Knight, and Rook. (The Queen should match her color: white Queen on a white square, black Queen on a black square.)
- Front Row: Place all eight Pawns in a straight line on the row in front of your other pieces.
Meet Your Pieces and Learn Their Moves
two Bishops, and eight Pawns. Each piece has its unique way of moving:
- King: Moves only one square at a time, but can go in any direction (up, down, left, right, or diagonal). If your King is trapped, you lose—so protect him!
- Queen: The most versatile piece, able to move in any direction for any number of squares, as long as nothing is blocking her path. She’s your strongest asset.
- Rook: Moves in straight lines either horizontally or vertically for any number of squares.
- Bishop: Moves diagonally across the board, as far as it wants to go.
- Knight: Moves in an “L” shape—two squares in one direction and then one square perpendicular. Knights can jump over pieces, which can come in handy!
- Pawn: Moves forward one square at a time but captures by moving diagonally. On its first move, a pawn can move two squares forward. When a pawn reaches the opposite end of the board, it can “promote” to a different piece (often a Queen for added power).
The Goal: Checkmate
Your objective in chess is to checkmate your opponent’s King. When the King is threatened by another piece and can’t escape, the game is over. Here’s how it works:
- Check: If your King is under attack, you’re “in check.” You must make a move that protects the King by blocking, capturing the attacking piece, or moving the King out of harm’s way.
- Checkmate: If the King is in check and has no legal moves to get out of it, it’s checkmate—you’ve won the game!
Special Moves to Know
Chess has a few unique moves that can make or break your game:
- Castling: This move helps protect your King and activate your Rook. If neither your King nor the chosen Rook has moved yet, and there’s no piece between them, you can move the King two squares toward the Rook. Then, the Rook moves to the square right next to the King.
- En Passant: If a pawn moves two squares forward from its starting position and lands next to an opponent’s pawn, that pawn can capture it as if it had only moved one square. This move must be done immediately after the two-square move.
- Pawn Promotion: When a pawn reaches the far end of the board, it must be promoted to any piece you choose (except a King). Players usually choose a Queen for added strength.
Turn Basics and Game Rules
Chess is a turn-based game where White always starts, and players alternate moves. Here are some essentials to remember:
- Capturing Pieces: If your piece moves to a square occupied by an opponent’s piece, you capture it, removing it from the board.
- Check and Checkmate: You must get out of check when it happens. If it’s checkmate, the game ends.
- Stalemate: If one player has no legal moves left, and their King isn’t in check, it’s a draw—a stalemate.
- Draws: Games can also end in a draw if both players agree, if the same position repeats three times, or if 50 moves pass without any captures or pawn moves.
Ready to Play?
Chess can seem like a lot to learn, but with these basics, you’re ready to start. As you play more games, you’ll develop strategies, get better at spotting patterns, and build your unique playing style. Now, find a board, set up those pieces, and enjoy discovering the game!