Use your mouse to move your Chess pieces across the board. Your objective in Chess is to get a checkmate. To land a checkmate, you’ll need to get your opponent’s King into a position where it can be captured, and cannot be freed by the opponent’s next move.

Chess Pieces

Each piece on the board moves differently. When your piece moves into a square that is currently occupied by an opponent's piece, you will capture that piece. Here is how each piece moves:

Pawns

Pawns can only move forward one square at a time in Chess, except on their first turn when they can move ahead two. However, they cannot move forward into a square that is occupied by another piece. Instead, they capture by moving forward one tile in a diagonal fashion. 

Pawns become useful in the endgame if you are able to advance them down the board. Keep on reading the instructions to learn about one of their unique abilities.

Rooks

Rooks can move any amount of squares, but only forward, backward, or sideways. Rooks are great defenders and are usually used to protect the King for most of the game. Don't forget to castle in order to get one of your Rooks into a more useful position.

Bishops

Bishops can also move any amount of squares, but only diagonally. Note: a Bishop will remain on squares of the same color it started on. Try and pair your Bishops with your Queen to make some dangerous offensive attacks.

Knights

Knights move in an “L” shape: two squares in one direction then another at a 90-degree angle. Knights are the only pieces that can hop over other ones on the board. Use this unique characteristic to your advantage.

The King

The King can move one square at a time in any direction. However, you won't be able to move your King into a position where it'll be in check. Make sure to keep him out of danger, he is the one you need to focus on protecting.

The Queen

The Queen can move in any direction and move as many squares as possible  - as long as it doesn’t move through any of its own pieces. She is your primary attacker and should be used to create creative offensive attacks.

Don’t forget: Chess is a game of logical thinking and strategic planning. You’ve got to get those mental muscles moving if you want to best your opponent! 

Chess Tips & Tricks

Chess can be a complicated game to play. Not to worry though, we have some simple words of wisdom to help you get started.

Study the board

Take a moment to consider your options before making your move. It’s ideal to move to a spot that puts any of your opponent’s pieces under attack, but be careful you don’t set yourself up for a loss!

Watch your opponent’s moves carefully

Stay focused and keep an eye on what kind of moves your opponent makes. Don't move into squares where they can capture your pieces, unless you see a potential advantage. Use their movements to come up with your own strategy for taking down each of their pieces. With enough practice, you’ll be able to predict your opponent's moves based on how the board is set up each turn.

Castle your King early

Protecting your King is your number one objective, so as soon as you see an opportunity to castle, you should. To castle, you must first clear all of the space between your King and one of your Rooks. This will open up special move options for your King. Note: Castling can only be done if neither your King nor Rook have moved. 

Pawns can become Queens (or almost any other piece)

If you can manage to get one of your pawns across the board to your opponent's back row, you can "promote" them into any other piece except a King. Simply choose the new piece you'd like them to become. You can even have "extra" Queens or other pieces!

Don’t be afraid to make sacrifices

In any game, you will lose some of your pieces to your opponent. An experienced Chess player will sometimes sacrifice lower-ranking pieces in order to save those that are more useful. When deciding which pieces to sacrifice, it can help to count the points.

Practice makes perfect!

As with any game, the more you play, the more you’ll learn. Chess isn’t meant to be mastered after the first game. It takes years of hard work and practice. Keep on playing and maybe someday you’ll be a Chess master, too!