Why This Game?
I picked chess because it brings back good memories from middle school. In Grade 6, one of my teachers actually taught our class how to play, and I got hooked right away. After that, my friends and I would play almost every lunch break while eating, it has became our daily thing to do.
I've been playing since Grade 6, so chess has been a part of my life for a long time. I would recommend it to everyone. It's fun and it could helps you think more carefully, and strategically, plus you can play it anywhere. You don't need to be smart to enjoy it; you just need to be willing to think a little!
01 Overview
Chess is a 2-player game played on a board with 64 squares. One player controls the white pieces, the other controls the black pieces. You take turns moving your pieces around the board.
The goal is to trap your opponent's King so it can't escape. That's called checkmate and when it happens, the game is over and you win!
02 What You Need
- 1 Chessboard: 8x8 grid, 64 squares
- 2 Kings: 1 per player
- 2 Queens: 1 per player
- 4 Rooks: 2 per player
- 4 Bishops: 2 per player
- 4 Knights: 2 per player
- 16 Pawns: 8 per player
No board? Play free online at chess.com or lichess.org!
03 Setup
- Put the board so the bottom-right corner is a light square. ("White on right")
- Place Rooks on all 4 corners of your back row.
- Place Knights right next to the Rooks.
- Place Bishops next to the Knights.
- Place the Queen on the square matching her color. (White Queen goes on a light square)
- Place the King on the last square in the back row.
- Fill the whole row in front of your pieces with your 8 Pawns.
- White always goes first.
04 How to Play
Players take turns. Each turn you move one piece to a new square. If you land on an opponent's piece, you capture it and remove it from the board.
How each piece moves:
| Piece | How It Moves |
|---|---|
| King | 1 square in any direction |
| Queen | Any number of squares, any direction; most powerful! |
| Rook | Any number of squares, left/right/up/down |
| Bishop | Any number of squares diagonally |
| Knight | L shape: 2 squares one way, 1 square sideways. Can jump over pieces! |
| Pawn | Forward 1 square. Captures diagonally. First move can go 2 squares. |
05 Scoring and Winning
Checkmate = You win! The opponent's King is trapped with no escape.
The game can also end in a draw (no winner) when:
- Stalemate: it's your turn but you have zero legal moves and you are not in check.
- Agreement: both players decide to call it a draw.
- Repetition: the same position happens 3 times.
A player can also resign at any time; this means they give up and the other player wins.
06 Common Mistakes and Tips
Use all your pieces, not just one. Every piece you don't use is wasted.
Your Queen will just get chased around. Move your other pieces out first.
Before you move, ask: "Can my opponent take this piece for free?" If yes, don't move there!
Pieces in the center are stronger. Try to put your pawns and pieces there early.
Castling moves your King to the corner where it's much safer. Do it before you attack.
After they move, ask: "What are they trying to do?" React to threats before making your own.
07 FAQ
Can I castle when I am in check?
No. You can't castle while your King is in check. Fix the check first, then castle later.
What is stalemate?
Stalemate is when it's your turn but you have no legal moves and your King is NOT in check. The game is a draw. Be careful not to accidentally stalemate your opponent when you're in a winning position!
Can a Pawn move backward?
No. Pawns only move forward. They capture diagonally forward. They can never go backward.
Do I have to say check out loud?
Not in official rules, but it's nice to say it when playing with friends. It helps beginners notice the threat.