Chess Basics
Welcome to your chess journey! This comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know to start playing chess. You'll learn how each piece moves, the special rules that make chess unique, and how games are won and lost.
Chess is a game of infinite depth, but the rules are straightforward. Take your time with each section, and soon you'll be ready to play your first games with confidence.
Start Interactive Chess Basics LessonsThe Chess Pieces
Each piece has its own movement pattern and strategic value. Learn them all to understand the battlefield.
The Pawn
Pawns move forward one square, but capture diagonally. On their first move, they can advance two squares. When a pawn reaches the opposite end of the board, it promotes to any piece (usually a queen).
Strategic Tips:
- Pawns are the soul of chess—their structure shapes the entire game
- Central pawns (d and e files) are especially valuable
- Connected pawns protect each other and are stronger together
The Knight
Knights move in an 'L' shape: two squares in one direction and one square perpendicular. They are the only piece that can jump over other pieces, making them excellent for tactical surprises.
Strategic Tips:
- Knights are strongest in closed positions with many pawns
- A knight on the rim is dim—centralize your knights
- Knights and bishops are roughly equal in value
The Bishop
Bishops move diagonally any number of squares. Each bishop stays on the same color squares throughout the game. Having both bishops (the 'bishop pair') is considered an advantage.
Strategic Tips:
- Bishops are powerful on open diagonals
- They work well together, covering squares of both colors
- A bad bishop is blocked by its own pawns
The Rook
Rooks move horizontally or vertically any number of squares. They are most powerful on open files (columns with no pawns) and on the seventh rank, attacking the opponent's pawns.
Strategic Tips:
- Activate rooks by placing them on open files
- Connect your rooks—having them protect each other is strong
- Rooks belong behind passed pawns (yours or your opponent's)
The Queen
The queen combines the power of the rook and bishop, moving any number of squares horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. She is the most powerful piece on the board.
Strategic Tips:
- Don't bring the queen out too early—she can be chased
- The queen excels at attacking multiple targets at once
- Avoid trading your queen for lesser pieces
The King
The king moves one square in any direction. While he cannot capture pieces that are defended, he becomes a powerful piece in the endgame when there are fewer threats.
Strategic Tips:
- Keep your king safe in the opening and middlegame
- In the endgame, activate your king—he's a fighting piece
- Learn basic checkmate patterns with your king helping
Special Moves
Chess has three special moves that don't follow the normal piece movement rules. Knowing these is essential.
Rules:
- Neither the king nor the rook can have moved before
- No pieces can be between the king and rook
- The king cannot be in check, move through check, or end in check
- You can castle kingside (short) or queenside (long)
Rules:
- Promotion is mandatory—you cannot keep it as a pawn
- You can have multiple queens (or other pieces) this way
- Sometimes promoting to a knight is best (for an immediate check)
Rules:
- Only available immediately after the opponent's two-square pawn advance
- Your pawn must be on your 5th rank (or your opponent's 4th rank)
- The capture is made diagonally to the square the pawn passed through
Check, Checkmate & Stalemate
Understanding how games end is crucial. These are the three most important concepts in chess.
When a piece attacks the opponent's king, the king is in 'check.' The player whose king is in check must get out of check on their next move. You can escape check by moving the king, blocking with another piece, or capturing the attacking piece.
Checkmate occurs when the king is in check and there is no legal move to escape. This ends the game—the player who delivers checkmate wins. Common checkmate patterns include the back-rank mate, scholar's mate, and the queen and king mate.
Stalemate occurs when a player is not in check but has no legal moves. This results in a draw, not a win. Stalemate often happens in endgames when one side has overwhelming material but accidentally traps the opponent's king.
Essential Checkmate Patterns
Every chess player should know these fundamental checkmate techniques
With just a king and queen against a lone king, you can force checkmate. The technique involves using your queen to cut off squares while your king helps drive the opponent's king to the edge of the board. The queen delivers the final blow, supported by the king.
The king and rook checkmate requires more precision but follows similar principles. Use your rook to create a box, shrinking the area where the enemy king can move. Your king must help by covering escape squares. Checkmate happens on the edge of the board.
A common pattern in actual games. When a king is trapped on the back rank by its own pawns and cannot escape, a rook or queen can deliver checkmate by landing on the back rank. Always give your king 'luft' (an escape square) to prevent this.
Ready for the Next Step?
Now that you understand how the pieces move and the rules of the game, it's time to learn how to start your games properly. Our Opening Principles guide teaches you the fundamentals that every strong player uses.