Chess might look complicated at first, but don’t worry — everyone starts as a beginner.
Once you learn the basics, it becomes a fun and challenging game that sharpens your mind.
Let’s break it down step by step.
The Chessboard and Pieces
A chessboard has 64 squares — 8 rows and 8 columns. Each player has 16 pieces:
- 1 King (the most important piece)
- 1 Queen (the most powerful)
- 2 Rooks
- 2 Knights
- 2 Bishops
- 8 Pawns
White always moves first.
How the Pieces Move
Each piece moves in a special way:
- Pawn: Moves forward 1 square (2 on its first move), captures diagonally
- Rook: Moves straight — up, down, or sideways
- Bishop: Moves diagonally
- Knight: Moves in an “L” shape (2 squares in one direction, then 1 to the side) — can jump over pieces
- Queen: Moves like a rook and bishop combined
- King: Moves one square in any direction
The Goal: Checkmate
The goal of the game is checkmate — trapping your opponent’s king so it can’t escape.
If the king is in danger, it’s called check.
If there’s no way to get out of check, it’s checkmate — and the game is over.
Basic Rules to Know
- You can’t make a move that puts your own king in check
- You can win by checkmate, your opponent resigning, or time running out
- If no legal moves are left and the king isn’t in check, it’s a draw (called stalemate)
Simple Beginner Tips
- Control the center of the board with your pawns and pieces
- Develop your pieces — don’t leave them stuck on the back row
- Castle early to keep your king safe
- Think before you move — don’t just rush
- Protect your king and avoid unnecessary piece trades
Practice Makes You Better
The best way to learn is by playing. Start with online chess apps or play with a friend.
Each game helps you improve, even if you lose.
Remember — every chess master was once a beginner.
Ready to make your first move? Let the game begin. ♟️