Chess is one of the most famous board games in the world. People of all age groups can enjoy this game. But if you are a newbie to this game, then you need a little training. The different pieces in chess work differently and have separate functions.

Once you grasp it, it will seem like one of the easiest and most interesting games you have ever played. If you’ve just begun your chess journey, here’s a little ‘know-how-to’ guide followed by some tips and tricks.

1. Introduction To Chess Pieces

• Pawn: Pawns are the least powerful but most in numbers. They move one square forward at a time and capture diagonally. They get promoted to any other powerful piece when they reach the opponent’s starting line.
• Rook: The rook in chess moves up, down, right, and left in straight lines across the board and is a powerful piece for controlling the open lines. It is also very powerful when connected with another rook in an open file.
• Knight: The knight in chess moves in a L- shaped pattern consisting of 2 squares in one line and another perpendicular to it. It is also the only piece that can jump over others.
• Bishop: By moving diagonally across the board, the bishop ensures a diagonal line for a particular colour. Every player has two bishops on two different-coloured tiles.
• Queen: The queen is the strongest piece in chess and can move across the board in a straight line. It is the ideal component for both defence and attack.
• King: The King is the main and the most important piece of the match. The main goal is to checkmate the opponent’s king. King can move 1 square at a time in any direction.

2. The Setup Of A Chess Board

The basic and foremost is the placement of pieces.

1. Basic Comprehension: Each Player has 16 pieces, comprising 1 king, 1 queen, 2 rooks, 2 bishops, 2 knights, and 8 pawns.  
2. Position the board: Place the chess board so the player and the opponent have a white square on their right side.
3. Piece arrangement: For beginners, set up the chess board with a white square at the right-hand corner. Place the pawns in a line on the second line behind them; from left to right, place the rook, knight, bishop, queen, and king. Repeat the same setup for your opponent, but mirror it so their pieces face yours. 

3. Basic Rules Of The Game

3.1. Castling

Castling represents a unique movement involving the king and one of the rooks. It is the sole instance in which two pieces can be moved simultaneously. Castling is a strategic way to protect the king while linking the rooks.

To successfully complete this move, several conditions must be met:

• Neither the king nor the chosen rook involved in castling has moved previously.
• There should be no pieces between the king and the rook.  
• The king must not be in check, and no square between the king and the rook should be under attack by an opponent’s piece.

3.2. En Passant

If an opponent’s pawn advances 2 squares forward from its starting position and lands adjacent to your pawn, you can capture it as if it had moved only one square. This rule prevents pawns from bypassing opponents.

To perform “en passant” in chess, the following conditions must be met:

• The captured pawn must be on its fifth rank (for white) or fourth rank (for black) after the opponent’s 2-square move.
• The captured pawn moves diagonally to the squares forward from its starting position.
• The capturing pawn moves diagonally to the square where the opponent’s pawn would have landed if it had moved only one square.

3.3. Pawn Promotion

When a pawn reaches the far end of the board, it can be converted into any other piece (except the king). Most players opt for a queen, being the strongest piece.

But you can choose rook, knight, or bishop, depending on your strategy.

3.4. Opening Principles

Starting the game should be securing the center squares with pawns and opening spaces for bishops and knights.

This will give your pieces greater control over the board and open up more pieces.

3.5. How The Game Ends

Chess ends under the following conditions:

• Checkmate: When the opponent’s king is attacked and makes no legal moves to avoid danger, it is considered a checkmate.
• Stalemate: A player has no legal moves left, and their king is not in check. In this case, the game ends in a draw because neither player wins.
• Draw by Agreement: Players can select to draw the diversion if they do not wish to continue the advance.  
•  Fifty-Move Rule: It is considered a draw if 50 moves are played without capturing any piece or moving the pawns.
• Triple Reepetiton: A draw can be called if a piece is placed in the same position 3 times.
• Resignation: A player might resign and acknowledge loss by giving up and ending the game.

4. Common Errors to Avoid

1. Moving the same piece too much: Repeatedly moving the same piece in the early game instead of developing other pieces.
2. Not developing pieces: Failing to move pieces from their starting position in the opening moves.
3. Ignoring the King’s safety: Not prioritizing the King’s safety through castling.
4. Missing threats: Failing to notice the opponent’s threats or attacks on your pieces. 
5. Poor Pawn moves: Making careless pawns that weaken your position or sacrificing pawns too much.
6. Not controlling the center: Neglecting to control the central squares of the bond.
7. Impulsive moves: Rushing to make moves without thinking through the consequences 
8. Neglecting end games: Not understanding essential endgame techniques.

5. Tips To Improve In Chess

Chess is a game that rewards consistent practice and study. Here are some tips to improve.

1. Regular play: The more you play, the more you improve. Engage in games with friends or online opponents; practice is crucial.
2. Game Analysis: Evaluate your games to identify your mistakes and areas for advancement.
3. Challenge Stronger Opponents: Confronting stronger players compels you to delve deeper into the game and learn from their strategies.
4. Online Resources: Online chess sites can greatly help you practice and improve your chess skills. Chess.com is one of the most trusted and renowned online platforms for playing chess.
5. Watch tutorials: Many grandmasters and chess enthusiasts share tutorials and strategies on YouTube and other platforms.

Chess is an easy game to learn. The tips and tricks involved will help you master it over time. You only need a little patience and an eagerness to learn the rules.

What are you waiting for? Seize a chess board and dive into the chess world!

Last Updated on May 11, 2024 by Ritu