Beginner
The board, how every piece moves and your first checkmates.
- The boardNextRanks, files, diagonals and the name of every square.
- The rookThe rook goes in a straight line, as far as it likes.
- The bishopThe bishop moves diagonally and never changes square colour.
- The queenThe queen moves like the rook and the bishop at once.
- The kingThe king moves one square at a time and never onto an attacked square.
- The knightThe knight jumps in an L shape over the other pieces.
- The pawnThe pawn moves straight ahead, captures diagonally and, at the far end, turns into another piece.
- Capturing and piece valuesHow to capture, when it pays and what each piece is worth.
- Check, checkmate and stalemateAttacking the king, winning the game and the ending that is a draw.
- Castling and en passantThe two special moves: king and rook at once, and a very particular pawn capture.
- Basic matesWinning with queen and king, or rook and king, against the lone king.
- How to start a gameFour ideas for the first moves: centre, development, castling and patience with the queen.