Chess is known to many as a classic game that challenges the mind and sparks one’s competitive spirit. As such, it can seem overwhelming to learn! Thankfully, learning a game like chess has never been easier with so many resources available to aspiring players.
Learning chess is fun, rewarding, and complex. A good starting point for learning chess is understanding each piece and their move. Let’s take a closer look at the basics of chess, including the details on each chess piece and what their moves and values are.
What are the Basics of Chess?
Chess is played on an 8 by 8 grid, with light and dark squares that alternate. Typically, the squares are black and white. The square at the bottom right corner of the board should be light.
Players begin the game with 16 pieces each:
- 1 king
- 1 queen
- 2 rooks
- 2 knights
- 2 bishops
- 8 pawns
The first row, or back rank, is arranged as: rook, knight, bishop, queen, king, bishop, knight, and rook. The second row is all pawns.
Once you know the basics of chess, how do you improve the way you play the game? How do you become a more strategic player? Learn eight approaches that will make you more competitive when it’s time to play.
How do you Play Chess?
The objective of chess is to put the opponents king piece in check. A player wins the game when the opponent’s king is in checkmate. A stalemate occurs if a player cannot move according to the rules and their king is not in check. Players can also end by mutual agreement.
During the game, players take turns moving a piece per turn. When a piece moves to a square occupied by an opponent’s piece, their piece is captured and removed from the board.
Moves and Value of Each Chess Piece
What are the moves and value of the King?
The king moves one square in any direction - horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The king’s move is castling: moving two squares towards a rook and moving that rook to the square beside the king on its opposite side.
Castling is a move that happens only if neither the king nor the rook involved have moved before, the squares between them are empty, the king is not in check, and the squares the king moves through are not being attacked.
The king’s value is considered infinite, or invaluable. Its capture means the end of the game, so its safety is critical.
If you have just started playing chess, it is likely that you are eager to learn more about how you can improve your play. Find out more about the most commonly used chess tactics.
What are the moves and value of the Queen?
The queen can move in any direction for any number of squares (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally); she combine the movements of the rook and the bishop. The value of the queen is 9 points because of her movement abilities.
What are the moves and values of the Rook?
The rook can move horizontally or vertically for any number of squares and are powerful. The value of the rook is 5 points because of its ability to move on open files and ranks.
What are the moves and value of the Bishop?
The bishop can move diagonally for any number of squares. It starts on either a light or dark square and remains on that colour for the duration of the game. Bishops are effective when they can move without obstruction.
The bishop’s value is 3 points.
What are the moves and values of the Knight?
The knight moves in the shape of an “L’ - two squares in one direction, either horizontal or vertical, and then one square perpendicular. Unlike other chess pieces, the knight can jump over others.
The value of the knight is 3 points.
What are the moves and values of the Pawn?
Finally, the pawn can move forward one square, and can capture diagonally a square forward. For its first move, a pawn can move forward two squares instead of one. The knight can do a special capture called “en passant”, in which a pawn moves two squares forward from its starting position and lands beside an opponents pawn. When a pawn reaches the other side of the board, it must be promoted to either a queen, rook, bishop, or knight.
The value of a pawn is 1 point.
Chess is a game that continues to capture the interest of people from all walks of life. When getting started in chess, it is important to learn the game, its terminology, and some basic tips to play.
What are the Benefits of Learning Chess?
Chess is a classic game that has been played for centuries because the gameplay is mentally challenging and exciting. People of all ages play chess, from children to seniors. Many people play competitively - you may have gotten a sense of how competitive chess can be from shows like the Queen’s Gambit!
Learning chess can be a great cognitive challenge, and helps people to grow intellectually. Playing compels one to think strategically, which is a skill that can be applied not only in gaming but in the workplace.
Perhaps most importantly, playing chess is a game that can give you joy for an entire lifetime. You can make new friends, join new social networks, and keep yourself busy in a healthy way that doesn’t not involve endless scrolling on a smart phone.
Enhancing your chess game can turn into a lifelong pursuit, thanks to the endless amount of content you will find in books on different types of openings and strategies you can use. Your journey can begin as easily as simply learning the game and playing with a partner or online!
While the chessboard may seem rather straightforward - we can all picture the simplicity of black and white checkered squares - there are actually many elements that go into chessboard setup.
How Can I Learn the Rules of Chess?
Interested in getting into chess yourself? Or are you looking to see if a child or loved one might benefit from getting into the game?
One way to start really learning chess gameplay is to start with your own independent research. Use videos that explain chess with examples, or read books that tell you step by step how to get started.
Alternatively, you can join a chess club in your school or community. In a chess club, you will find people who can show you the basics and will enjoy helping you to grow as a player.
Try playing with a patient, experienced partner or find a friend who would like to learn at the same time as you. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and lose - this is often the best way to learn the game.
You can also find plenty of chess apps where you can play with an unknown or digital opponent. With lots of practice, you’ll build your skills quickly.
Learn Chess with a Tutor
If learning independently does not interest you, consider hiring a chess tutor or teacher to show you how to play. With a private chess tutor, you can learn at your own pace with the guidance of an experienced player.
A chess tutor can explain the rules of the game to you in a way that makes sense with you, and model different chess moves or play with you so you can build your chess skills. They can give you their own personal insights on the game, and help you to enhance your play even if you are already an experienced player!
People that aspire to play chess are following in the footsteps of giants. And while chess is is a game that has entertained some of the most brilliant minds in the world, it is also a game that children, can play. Find out how you can get started as a beginner.
How do I Find a Private Chess Tutor?
Finding a chess tutor to teach you or your child the basics of the game is easy thanks to Superprof Canada. Superprof is a site that connects students to private instructors in a wide range of pursuits and disciplines, including chess.
The site is quite easy to use, with a search tool that quickly displays available chess tutors when prompted. You can see all available chess tutors near you or across Canada, should you be interested in learning virtually.
Take a look at the individual profiles of each tutor, and see if they are appropriate for your needs. If you are looking for a child, be sure to contact only those that are qualified and interested in working with kids. If you are looking for yourself, make sure the tutor can meet your needs and current level of play.
Once you contact some prospective tutors, you can get a sense of who will work best for you. With the right instruction and amount of lessons, you will be playing chess in no time!
Find a chess tutor on Superprof today!
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