How to Play Chess
A chess board has eight squares in each direction, and is designed for two players: one using black pieces, one using white.
Taking turns to move pieces, the goal is to “checkmate” the other player’s King. This means placing their King in a position in which there is no way out of being “taken.”
This becomes easier the more pieces you “take.”
Each piece is able to move in different ways, which we’ve listed below.
Each player has eight pawns. On the first move, they’re able to move forward one or two squares. Thereafter, pawns move one square at a time: forwards, sideways, or backwards, but not diagonally – unless they are taking another piece.
Pawn (x8)
Knight (x2)
Each player has two knights. They move in L shapes across the board and are the only pieces that can “jump” over other pieces.
Bishop (x2)
Each player has two bishops. They move only diagonally, but for an unlimited distance.
Rook (x2)
Each player has two rooks. They can move an unlimited distance forwards, backwards or sideways, but not diagonally.
Queen (x1)
Each player has one Queen. A Queen can move an unlimited distance in any direction.
King (x1)
Each player has one King. A King can only move one square at a time, but in any direction.