How to Play Chess: Rules Explained Simply
1. Introduction
Chess is a classic board game that improves thinking, focus, and decision-making skills. For beginners, learning the rules clearly is the first step toward enjoying the game.
This guide is suitable for kids, beginners, students, and adults who are learning chess for the first time.
By the end of this article, you will learn:
How the chessboard is set up
How each piece moves
Basic rules of the game
Important terms like check and checkmate
Simple tips to play better chess
2. Understanding the Chessboard
A chessboard has 64 squares arranged in an 8×8 layout. The board features squares in two alternating colors—light and dark.
The correct way to place the chessboard is to make sure the bottom-right corner square is light-colored for both players.
Chess is played between two sides:
White
Black
White always starts the game, followed by Black.
3. Chess Pieces and Their Starting Positions
There are 16 pieces per player, making 32 pieces in total.
Chess Pieces:
King
Queen
Rook (2)
Bishop (2)
Knight (2)
Pawn (8)
The pawns are placed in the front row, while the other pieces are placed on the back row in a fixed order. Learning the correct starting positions is very important for beginners.
4. How Each Chess Piece Moves
Each chess piece moves in a unique way:
King: Moves one square in any direction
Queen: Moves in any direction—straight or diagonal
Rook: Moves straight along rows or columns
Bishop: Moves diagonally
Knight: Moves in an L-shape and has the unique ability to jump over other pieces..
Pawn: Moves forward one square and captures diagonally
Understanding how each piece moves helps beginners avoid illegal moves.
5. How a Chess Game Starts
A chess game begins with White making the first move. After that, players take turns.
Key points to remember:
Only one move is allowed per turn
A move can be either moving a piece or capturing an opponent’s piece
Players must follow the movement rules of each piece
6. Capturing Pieces
Capturing in chess happens when a piece moves to a square occupied by an opponent’s piece.The captured piece is taken off the board.
Moving a piece means going to an empty square
Capturing means replacing an opponent’s piece
Capturing helps reduce the opponent’s strength and improves your chances of winning.
7. Special Chess Moves (Beginner Introduction)
Chess has a few special moves that beginners should know about:
Castling: A move involving the king and rook to improve king safety
Pawn Promotion: When a pawn reaches the last row, it can become a queen or another piece
En Passant: A special pawn capture that can be made under certain conditions.
These rules may seem advanced at first, but they become easier with practice.
8. Check, Checkmate, and Draw Explained
Check: The king is under attack and needs to be protected.
Checkmate: The king cannot escape attack, and the game ends
Draw: The game ends without a winner
Common draw situations include stalemate, repetition of moves, or agreement between players.
9. Basic Chess Rules Every Beginner Should Remember
Always protect your king
You cannot play any move that puts or leaves your king in check.
Illegal moves are not allowed
Once you touch a piece, you must move it (touch-move rule, if followed)
Knowing these rules helps beginners play correctly and confidently.
10. Common Mistakes Beginners Make
Many beginners make similar mistakes, such as:
Moving pieces without a plan
Ignoring king safety
Losing pieces unnecessarily
Forgetting basic movement rules
Avoiding these mistakes will help you improve faster.
11. Simple Tips to Play Better Chess
Control the center of the board
Develop your pieces early
Castle early to protect your king
Think before every move
These basic principles form the foundation of good chess play.
12. How Beginners Can Practice Chess
Beginners can improve by:
Playing with friends or family
Using online chess platforms
Solving simple chess puzzles
Practicing regularly, even for short periods
Consistency is more important than long practice sessions.
13. Why Learning Chess from a Chess School Helps
A chess school provides:
Structured, rule-based learning
Guidance from trained coaches
Regular practice games
Faster and more confident improvement
Learning under proper guidance helps beginners build strong fundamentals.
14. Conclusion
Chess is an enjoyable and skill-building game that anyone can learn. By understanding the basic rules and practicing regularly, beginners can enjoy chess and improve steadily.
Start learning, stay consistent, and most importantly, enjoy the game of chess.