How to Play Chess

Chess is a two-player strategy game played on an 8×8 board. This guide explains the rules of chess, how each piece moves, how to win (checkmate), and the most important special rules. It is written for beginners and for a clear reference on legal moves and basic gameplay.

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Objective

The objective of chess is to checkmate your opponent’s king. Checkmate means the king is in check (under attack) and there is no legal move that removes the check.

You can also draw a chess game in several ways (for example stalemate), which is covered later in this guide.

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The Chess Board and Coordinates

Chess is played on an 8×8 board with 64 squares. Squares are usually identified by a letter (file) and number (rank):

• Files: A through H (left to right from White’s perspective)
• Ranks: 1 through 8 (bottom to top from White’s perspective)

Example squares: E2, A1, H8.

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Starting Position (Setup)

Each player starts with 16 pieces:

• 1 King
• 1 Queen
• 2 Rooks
• 2 Bishops
• 2 Knights
• 8 Pawns

White pieces begin on ranks 1–2. Black pieces begin on ranks 7–8. White moves first.

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Turns and Legal Moves

Players alternate turns. On your turn you:

1. Choose one of your pieces
2. Move it to a legal destination square (or capture an opponent piece if allowed)
3. End your turn

A move is legal only if it follows the piece’s movement rules and does not leave your king in check.

Capturing is generally done by moving onto a square occupied by an opponent piece (except for special pawn rules).

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How Each Chess Piece Moves (with examples)

Note: The example diagrams show a piece on a central square to demonstrate its movement clearly. In real games, other pieces may block movement (except for knights).

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Pawn moves

Pawns move forward (toward the opponent’s side).

• A pawn moves forward 1 square if it is empty
• On its first move, a pawn may move forward 2 squares if both squares are empty
• Pawns capture diagonally 1 square forward (not straight forward)

Diagram: Pawn moves from E2

This example highlights a common opening move (E2 to E4) and a typical capture direction.

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Knight moves

Knights move in an “L” shape:

• 2 squares in one direction (horizontal or vertical)
• then 1 square perpendicular
• Knights can jump over other pieces

Diagram: Knight moves from D4

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Bishop moves

Bishops move diagonally any number of squares. A bishop cannot jump over pieces, so its path must be clear.

Diagram: Bishop moves from D4

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Rook moves

Rooks move horizontally or vertically any number of squares. A rook cannot jump over pieces, so its path must be clear.

Diagram: Rook moves from D4

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Queen moves

The queen combines rook and bishop movement: any number of squares horizontally, vertically, or diagonally (no jumping).

Diagram: Queen moves from D4

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King moves

The king moves 1 square in any direction. The king cannot move into check.

Diagram: King moves from E4

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Special Rules

Check and checkmate

• A king is in check if it is currently attacked by an opponent piece.
• You must respond to check by making a move that removes the check.
• Checkmate occurs when the king is in check and no legal move can remove it.

Stalemate (draw)

Stalemate occurs when the player to move has no legal moves and their king is not in check. Stalemate is a draw.

Castling

Castling is a special move involving the king and one rook. It helps protect your king and develop your rook.

Castling is legal only if:

• The king and the chosen rook have not moved
• There are no pieces between them
• The king is not in check
• The king does not move through or into check

Kingside castling for White: king E1 → G1, rook H1 → F1
Queenside castling for White: king E1 → C1, rook A1 → D1

Pawn promotion

When a pawn reaches the last rank (rank 8 for White, rank 1 for Black), it must promote, usually to a queen. It may also promote to a rook, bishop, or knight.

En passant

En passant is a special pawn capture that can occur immediately after an opponent pawn moves two squares forward from its starting square, passing adjacent to your pawn. The capture must be taken immediately on the next move or the opportunity is lost.

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Common Beginner Questions

Can you move into check?

No. Any move that leaves your king in check is illegal.

Can pieces jump over other pieces?

Only the knight can jump over pieces. All other pieces require a clear path.

How do captures work?

Most captures happen by moving onto an enemy-occupied square. Pawns capture diagonally forward rather than straight ahead.

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How a Chess Game Ends

• Win by checkmate
• Draw by stalemate, repetition, insufficient material, the 50-move rule, or agreement
• A player may also resign

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Summary

Chess is about controlling space, developing your pieces, and protecting your king while creating threats against your opponent. Start by learning how each piece moves, then focus on basic principles: develop your knights and bishops, control the center, and keep your king safe.