Learning to Play Chess

Challenging and addictive fun

Chess is an ancient game of strategy enjoyed by people across the world. For those who are just learning to play chess, it can seem complicated and even boring. But anyone who's played even just once will quickly tell you the game is as exhilarating as it is challenging.

A quick look at some basic rules will start you learning to play chess and prepare you for the  fun and exciting world of chess.

Learning to play chess

Traditional chess is played by two players on a board of 64 alternating light and dark squares. Each player has 16 chess pieces which each move differently around the chess board.

Beginning. To start, the pieces are lined up on opposite ends of the board in two rows, eight pawns in the front row and the remaining eight pieces behind them.

The Play. Players alternate turns and move one piece each turn. For players learning to play chess, the object of the game is to capture your opponent's king.

Check.  This occurs when one of your pieces is in place to seize the opposing king.

Checkmate.  If the king cannot escape, then you have won the game with a "check-mate."

Because check-mate can happen at any moment, each game is different and unpredictable.

When learning to play chess, it is important to understand how each piece is allowed to move across the chess board.

Pawns

The pawns are the weakest pieces on the board, yet they provide vital protection for the king. A pawn's movement is restricted to one square forward during a given turn unless it is capturing another piece, when pawns are allowed to move one square diagonally.

One of the greatest advantages of the pawn valuable to players learning to play chess is its ability to be traded for any captured piece.

Rooks

As long as no other pieces are blocking the path, rooks can move vertically or horizontally any number of spaces in one direction.

Knights

Knights move in an "L" shape made by two vertical and two horizontal squares. A knight can move on a path blocked by other pieces, as long as the final square is unoccupied.

Bishops

Given a clear path, bishops can move any number of spaces diagonally across the board.

King

New players learning to play chess are often surprised to learn that the most important piece on the board is not the most powerful.

The king is only allowed to move one square at a time in any direction. The king must be protected at all times, as its capture means the end of the game.

Queen

The queen's ability to move any number of spaces in any direction makes her the most powerful piece on the chess board.

Chess is a game of strategy that is both challenging and fun. Learning to play chess will provide you with an enjoyable activity for years to come.

More information on chess sets