Master Chess Rules

Learn everything you need to know to play chess like a pro

Game Setup

Chess is played on an 8×8 board with 64 squares alternating between light and dark colors.

Starting Position

  • 1 King (most important)
  • 1 Queen (most powerful)
  • 2 Rooks (corners)
  • 2 Bishops (diagonals)
  • 2 Knights (L-shaped moves)
  • 8 Pawns (front line)

Starting Position

White pieces start at bottom, Black at top

How Pieces Move

Pawn
Moves forward one square, or two on first move. Captures diagonally forward.
Rook
Moves horizontally or vertically any number of squares.
Bishop
Moves diagonally any number of squares.
Knight
Moves in L-shape: two squares in one direction, then one perpendicular.
Queen
Combines rook and bishop - moves in any direction any distance.
King
Moves one square in any direction. Must be protected!

Special Moves

Castling

A special defensive move involving the king and a rook. The king moves two squares toward the rook, and the rook moves to the square the king crossed. Can only be done if:

  • Neither king nor rook has moved
  • No pieces between them
  • King not in check
  • King doesn't pass through check

En Passant

A special pawn capture that occurs when an opponent's pawn moves two squares forward from its starting position, landing next to your pawn. You can capture it as if it had only moved one square.

Pawn Promotion

When a pawn reaches the opposite end of the board, it must be promoted to any piece except a king (usually a queen).

Game Objectives

Checkmate

The ultimate goal - attack the opponent's king so it cannot escape capture. This wins the game immediately.

Check

When the king is under attack but can still escape. The player must get out of check immediately.

Stalemate (Draw)

When a player has no legal moves but is not in check. The game ends in a draw.

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Quick Reference

Turn Order

White always moves first

Piece Values
Pawn = 1
Knight/Bishop = 3
Rook = 5
Queen = 9
King = ∞
Basic Strategy
1. Control center
2. Develop pieces
3. Protect king
4. Think ahead
Common Draws
• Stalemate
• Insufficient material
• 50-move rule
• Repetition
Ready to Practice?

Now that you know the rules, start playing!

Start Playing