Chess

1 Game Overview

Chess is a two-player abstract strategy game played on an 8x8 checkered board. Each player controls 16 pieces: 1 king, 1 queen, 2 rooks, 2 bishops, 2 knights, and 8 pawns. The goal is to checkmate your opponent's king - put it in a position where it's under attack and cannot escape.

Chess has been played for over 1,500 years and remains one of the most popular games in the world. It's a game of complete information: both players see the entire board, so pure strategy determines the outcome.

2 What's in the Box

• 1 chess board (8x8, alternating light and dark squares)
• 16 white pieces: 1 king, 1 queen, 2 rooks, 2 bishops, 2 knights, 8 pawns
• 16 black pieces: 1 king, 1 queen, 2 rooks, 2 bishops, 2 knights, 8 pawns
• (Optional) Chess clock for timed games

3 Setup

1. Place the board so each player has a light square in the bottom-right corner ("light on right").
2. Set up pieces on the back two rows. Back row (left to right): Rook, Knight, Bishop, Queen, King, Bishop, Knight, Rook. Front row: all 8 Pawns.
3. The Queen goes on her own color (white queen on white square, black queen on black square).
4. White always moves first.

4 How to Play

How Pieces Move

• King: One square in any direction. The most important piece - cannot move into check.
• Queen: Any number of squares in any direction (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal). Most powerful piece.
• Rook: Any number of squares horizontally or vertically.
• Bishop: Any number of squares diagonally. Each bishop stays on one color forever.
• Knight: Moves in an "L" shape: 2 squares in one direction, then 1 square perpendicular. Knights can jump over other pieces.
• Pawn: Moves forward 1 square (or 2 on its first move). Captures diagonally forward 1 square.

Special Moves

Castling: King moves 2 squares toward a rook, and the rook jumps to the other side of the king. Requires: neither piece has moved, no pieces between them, king not in check, king doesn't pass through check.

En Passant: If a pawn moves 2 squares on its first move and lands beside an enemy pawn, the enemy pawn can capture it as if it had only moved 1 square. Must be done immediately.

Pawn Promotion: When a pawn reaches the opposite back rank, it promotes to any piece (usually a queen).

Check

When your king is under attack, you're "in check." You must escape check on your next move: move the king, block the attack, or capture the attacking piece. You cannot leave your king in check.

5 Winning

Checkmate: Your opponent's king is in check and has no legal move to escape. You win!

Stalemate (Draw): Your opponent has no legal moves but is NOT in check. The game is drawn.

Other draws: Insufficient material (not enough pieces to checkmate), threefold repetition (same position 3 times), 50-move rule (50 moves with no pawn move or capture), or mutual agreement.

6 Strategy Tips

• Control the center. The four central squares (e4, d4, e5, d5) are most powerful. Get your pieces there early.
• Develop your pieces. In the opening, move each piece once before moving any piece twice. Get knights and bishops off the back rank quickly.
• King safety first. Castle early to tuck your king away. An exposed king loses games.
• Knights before bishops. In most openings, knights move before bishops because their destinations are clearer.
• Don't bring your queen out too early. The queen can be chased away by lesser pieces, losing tempo.
• Think before you move. Ask: "If I move here, what can my opponent do?" Never move without a reason.
• Rooks belong on open files. Place rooks on files (columns) with no pawns blocking them.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions