How to Get Started in Chess
No matter where you’re from, you’ve probably heard of chess. This ancient game brings people from all walks of life together, pitting them as opponents in a strategic mental battle. It forces people to make situational decisions and plan for potential future choices. One wrong move and you could lose the whole board.
But chess is more than just fun. It exercises both sides of your brain, improves memory, and sharpens problem-solving skills. It teaches patience, discipline, and resilience. It kills boredom and keeps you motivated to learn.
In February 2023, Chess.com hit a new high with over 1 billion games played on the platform. So, if you’re thinking of harnessing the benefits of playing chess, now’s the time. And we can help.
First things first: let’s explore all the rules of chess pieces to give you a solid foundation.
The Basics of Chess
Picture this: you’ve purchased your first chess set and are all ready to go. One problem: you don’t know the rules! Never fear, we’ve included all the chess basics you need to know below.
The Pieces
There are six sets of pieces in a chess game, available in black and white.
King: The most crucial piece, kings can move one square in any direction. You lose the game if your king is checkmated, meaning it’s under attack and can’t escape.
Queen: The most powerful piece. It can move in any direction as many squares as you want.
Rook: These look like little castles. Rooks can move multiple squares horizontally or vertically.
Bishop: They resemble pointy hats. Bishops can move more than one square diagonally.
Knights: Knights move in an L-shape: two squares in one direction and one square perpendicular. They’re the only pieces that can “jump” over others.
Pawn: Pawns move ahead one square but capture diagonally. They have the option to move two squares on the first move. When a pawn reaches the opponent’s back rank, it can be promoted to any other piece (except another pawn or king).
Each player starts with 16 pieces: a king, a queen, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, and eight pawns. The game ends when one of the kings is captured or checkmated.
Step 1: How to Setup a Chessboard
For starters, lay out the chessboard so each player has a white square on the bottom right. Then, arrange the chess pieces. Pawns go in the second row and the rooks go in the corners, followed by the knights and bishops. Finally, the queen sits in a matching square (white queen on white, black queen on black), and the king goes in the remaining square.
Step 2: Who Makes the First Move
In most formal chess games, the player with the white pieces makes the first move. You can decide this by tossing a coin or drawing lots in casual games. Note that the color of the pieces is largely symbolic and does not benefit the player in any real way. It’s mostly a matter of personal preference rather than a tactical advantage.
During the game, you take turns making moves. A piece can only move to an unoccupied square, or to a square occupied by your opponent’s piece which you then capture.
Step 3: Understanding Check and Checkmate
When a piece moves in a way that would allow it to capture the opponent’s king, the attacking player must announce “check”.
If your king is under attack, you can make moves to get out of check by moving it, capturing the attacking piece, or blocking the attack with another piece. Otherwise, the game is over, and your opponent wins.
On the other hand, if you’re in check but have no legal moves left, the game ends in a “stalemate”. A stalemate usually occurs when a player tries to force a win and overreaches, putting their opponent’s king in a position where it cannot move without being captured.
A player can also declare a draw if the same position is repeated thrice (not necessarily in a row) or if neither player has moved a pawn or captured a piece for fifty moves. They can also choose to resign, granting their opponent the victory.
Step 4: Special Moves in Chess
Once you master the basic chess rules for beginners, there are a few special strategies you should know.
Castling: Under certain conditions, the king and rook can move together in a move called castling. You can only make this move if neither piece has moved previously in the game. Also, you shouldn’t have any pieces between the king and the rook.
En Passant: In case a pawn moves two squares forward from its starting position and lands next to an opposing pawn, your opponent can capture the moving pawn as if it had only moved one square.
How to Practice and Improve: Tips for Beginners
Ready for some chess tips for beginners? Here’s how to improve your gameplay with a few effective tactics.
1. Play Seriously
You can’t watch videos to learn how to play chess like a pro. It’s important to set up the board and start playing in real life. Not only will this help you strengthen strategies and form plans for the opening, but it’ll also enable you to handle high-pressure situations.
At ACE Center, we offer regular chess tutorials and classes to equip you with the essential techniques to outsmart your opponents. With our guidance and a little practice, you’ll master the basic rules of chess in no time!
2. Control the Center
While playing, try and occupy the center of the board with your pawns and pieces. Controlling the center gives you more room to maneuver and attack.
3. Don’t Blunder
Be cautious about leaving your pieces undefended. Always check if your move exposes your valuable pieces to capture.
4. Tactics Practice
Like any skill, the more you practice, the better you’ll get at the game. Learn common tactical motifs like pins, forks, and skewers, and discover attacks. Use our online chess classes to improve your skills- you won’t be disappointed.
5. Don’t Move the Same Piece Twice in the Opening
Unless it’s necessary, avoid moving the same piece twice in the opening of the game. This wastes time and slows down your development.
The Bottom Line
There you have it: your quick beginner chess guide to kick-starting your journey! Chess is an incredibly stimulating game: once you get the hang of it, you’re sure to get hooked. So, grab that chessboard, challenge a friend, and let the battle begin!
Ace Center’s Chess Classes
Ready to elevate your chess skills to new heights? Enroll in ACE Center's chess classes today and unlock the potential within you. It's time to make your move towards becoming a true chess ace. Call us today!