Learn the Pieces

How each piece moves, special rules, and basic concepts

Learn how pawns move, capture, and their special first-move option.

Learn the knight's unique L-shaped move and its ability to jump over pieces.

Learn how bishops move diagonally and why the bishop pair is powerful.

Learn how rooks move along ranks and files and why open files matter.

Learn how the queen combines the power of the rook and bishop.

Learn how the king moves and why keeping it safe is your top priority.

Learn the special move that protects your king and activates your rook.

Learn the special pawn capture that catches an advancing pawn "in passing."

Learn what happens when a pawn reaches the other side of the board.

Learn what check means, how to escape it, and how checkmate wins the game.

Learn when a chess game ends in a draw and the tricky stalemate rule.

Learn the relative value of each piece and when trading is a good idea.

Learn the six golden rules for starting a chess game the right way.