How to play chess

• How the Rook Moves: The rook moves in straight lines: up, down, left or right, as far as it likes.
• How the Bishop Moves: The bishop moves diagonally, any number of squares. It always stays on its own colour.
• How the Queen Moves: The queen moves like a rook and a bishop combined: the most powerful piece.
• How the King Moves: The king moves one square in any direction. Slow, but the most important piece.
• How the Knight Moves: The knight jumps in an L-shape: two squares one way, then one square to the side.
• How the Pawn Moves: Pawns move straight forward one square (two on their first move) and capture diagonally.

• The Chessboard and How to Set It Up: Every square has a name, like a map.
• Capturing and Chess Piece Values: Move onto an enemy piece to capture it. Collect every black pawn with your queen.
• Check and Checkmate: When the king is attacked it is 'in check' and must escape at once.
• Castling: Castle kingside: tuck your king away and bring your rook into the game in one move.
• Pawn Promotion: A pawn that reaches the last rank becomes a queen (or rook, bishop, knight).
• En Passant: A special pawn capture: Black just moved d7-d5 next to your pawn. Capture it 'in passing'.
• Stalemate and Other Draws: Not every game has a winner.
• How to Start a Chess Game: Three simple rules for the opening.

After the rules comes Level 1, Beginner (≈ 400–800): Win more by not losing pieces, and finish games with mate.

• Basic checkmates: Finish the game: back rank, queen, rook and two rooks.
• Don't hang pieces: The blunder check: what can they capture after my move?
• Forks: Attack two things at once.
• Pins & skewers: Pieces stuck in front of something more valuable.
• Good opening habits: Classical openings that follow the golden rules.
• King & pawn endgames: Escort a pawn to promotion.