Understanding the basics with our chess for beginners guide will enable you to get the tips and tricks you need to be a pro in no time. The modern game originated in southern Europe in the 15th century, but similar games were player in ancient India and Persia.
Chess Basics
Chess is played by two people on a board made of 64 squares of alternating light and dark color arranged in an 8 by 8 grid. Play begins with two sets of sixteen pieces. One player plays the black set and the other player plays the white set. Typically, white moves first.
To play, each player alternates moving one piece. There are six different types of pieces, with each piece having a specific style of movement. A piece may attack an opponent's piece by ending its move in the same square as the attacked piece. Pieces that are attacked are removed from play.
The object of the game is to attack (or "check") your opponent's king in such a way that there is no avenue of escape. The winning move is called a checkmate.
Setting Up A Chess Game
On chess boards, the rows are called "ranks", while the columns are called "files". Ranks are numbered one through eight, from bottom to top, while files are labeled "a" through "h," from left to right. The board is positioned so that the lower right square is a light colored square. Pieces are set up so that they each rest in a separate square.
The pieces are set up in a specific pattern. Along the first rank, the pieces are: rook, knight, bishop, queen, king, bishop, knight and rook. The next rank contains the eight pawns.
Details Of The Chess Pieces
Pawn. The pawn may move forward one or two spaces on its opening move and can only move one space thereafter. The pawn can only attack another piece with a forward diagonal move. If a pawn successfully crosses the board into the 8th rank, it may be exchanged for another, more powerful piece (but not the king). This process is called "promoting".
Rook. Often shaped like a castle tower, the rook may move any number of squares, but only in the vertical or horizontal direction.
Knight. This horse-shaped piece has a unique movement style. The knight's move is two part. The first part is two square move in either the horizontal or vertical direction, and the second part is a one square move at a 90 degree angle to the first. In other words, if a knight moves two squares to the right, it must then move one square either forward or back.
Bishop. The bishop may move any number of squares, but only in diagonal directions.
Queen. The queen is considered the most powerful piece in the game. The queen may move any number of squares, in any direction.
King. The king may move one square in any direction.
 | Learning basic chess strategies can help you raise the level of your game. |
 | Learning the art of setting up a chess board is fast and easy -- you'll be on your way to a great game in no time! |
Basic chess rules are complicated, but at its core, chess is a very simple game with one objective: capture the opponent's king. |
Want a brief chess history? Variations of chess have been played for thousands of years, but the history of chess we play today developed in the 15th century in southern Europe. |
Surprisingly, chess pieces haven't changed very much since the origin of the game almost 1,500 years ago. |
