ChessschoolMoving, jumping and capturing
Before you start
Prerequisites: Pupils can orient the board and find named squares.
Materials: One board per pair, a rook, bishop, knight and several pawns, counters and pencils.
After this lesson, pupils can…
- Show a rook’s straight moves and a bishop’s diagonal moves.
- Explain that a knight can jump over pieces.
- Distinguish a move from a capture.
Teach the lesson
- 0–5 minutes
Start and recall
You do or ask: Ask pupils to recall the prerequisite: Pupils can orient the board and find named squares. Have everyone choose an answer before you discuss it.
Pupils do: Pupils explain a known rule and compare their answer with a partner.
- 5–12 minutes
Demonstrate the idea
You do or ask: On an otherwise empty board, place a rook on d4. Show its rank and file. Replace it with a bishop and compare diagonals. Show the knight’s two-plus-one move and explain that only the knight may jump.
Pupils do: Pupils predict a move or result, then explain which rule confirms it.
- 12–22 minutes
Guided pair practice
You do or ask: One pupil places a counter on a reachable square; the other explains the route. Add a friendly blocker, then an enemy piece. Swap roles and describe how the legal destinations change.
Pupils do: Each pupil thinks independently first. One explains and the other checks; then they swap roles.
- 22–32 minutes
Independent worksheet
You do or ask: Hand out the pupil worksheet. Check that pupils stop sliding pieces at a blocker and never capture a friendly piece. Ask a knight mover to show two squares in one direction and one at a right angle.
Pupils do: Pupils record an answer and a reason. They use the board to test their ideas without viewing the answer sheet.
- 32–40 minutes
Discuss and check
You do or ask: Ask pupils to name one difference between a rook and a knight. Discuss one common mistake and return to the stated learning goals.
Pupils do: Each pupil gives an individual exit answer. A pupil who needs support repeats a simpler example before moving on.
Support and extension
Teach rook and bishop separately before mixing them. For an extension, compare all reachable squares from d4 and explain why a bishop stays on one colour.
Check understanding
Check that pupils stop sliding pieces at a blocker and never capture a friendly piece. Ask a knight mover to show two squares in one direction and one at a right angle.
Ask pupils to name one difference between a rook and a knight.