Here is a beginner-friendly guide on how to play chess:
Chess Basics
- Chess is played on an 8x8 board with alternating light and dark squares.
- Each player starts with 16 pieces: 8 pawns, 2 rooks, 2 knights, 2 bishops, 1 queen, and 1 king.
- The pieces are arranged the same way for each player, with the queen on her own color and the king next to her.
- The player with the white pieces always moves first, and players alternate turns moving one piece at a time.
Setting Up the Board
- Place the board so the bottom-right square is light-colored.
- Pawns go on the second row from each player.
- Rooks in the corners, knights next to rooks, then bishops, then queen and king in the center (queen on matching color).
How Pieces Move
- Pawns move forward one square, or two on their first move, but capture diagonally.
- Rooks move horizontally or vertically any number of squares.
- Knights move in an "L" shape: two squares in one direction and then one at a right angle, and can jump over pieces.
- Bishops move diagonally any number of squares.
- Queens move horizontally, vertically, or diagonally any number of squares.
- Kings move one square in any direction.
Special Moves
- Castling: a move to protect the king by moving it two squares towards a rook, and the rook moves next to the king. Conditions apply (neither piece has moved, no pieces between them, not in check).
- Pawn promotion: when a pawn reaches the opposite end of the board, it can be promoted to any other piece except the king.
Objective and Ending
- The goal is to put the opponent’s king in "checkmate"—a position where it is under threat of capture with no escape.
- The game can also end in a draw under certain conditions.
Tips for Beginners
- Control the center of the board with pawns and pieces.
- Develop your knights and bishops early.
- Keep your king safe, especially by castling.
- Practice and study basic tactics and strategies.
This summary outlines the fundamental rules and ideas to start playing chess.
