ChessschoolLearn chess: a beginner’s first steps
Start with one rule at a time. You do not need to memorise openings before you can enjoy your first game.
Set up and move
Place a light square at your bottom-right corner. Put the queens on their own colours. Learn the rook and bishop moves, then the queen, king, knight and pawn. Pawns capture differently from the way they move.
Keep your king safe
A king may never move into check. When checked, capture the checking piece, block its line or move the king, if a legal option exists. A knight check cannot be blocked. Checkmate ends the game.
Play a short practice game
Before each move, ask what your opponent threatened and whether your chosen piece can be captured. After the game, choose one mistake to understand rather than trying to remember every move.
Try it yourself
What is the difference between check and checkmate?
Check the answer
Check attacks the king. Checkmate means the king is in check and there is no legal reply that removes it.
Put it into practice
Open the related lesson Practise with puzzles
Sources and corrections
For the official rules, see the FIDE Laws of Chess. Found an error? Send the position and page address.