Chess

The number of possible variants of chess games is so huge that it is unlikely that unique combinations will ever be exhausted. To learn how to play chess at the level of masters, it is not enough to know the rules, but you cannot do without knowing the basics in playing with any opponent.

Rules of the game

The game of classical chess is played on an 8 × 8 board. Each player has the same set of white or black pieces: king, queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights and eight pawns. Players take turns to move pieces, white moves first. The object of the game is to capture the opponent's king.

How the pieces move:

• Each of the 6 pieces moves in its own way. Pieces other than knights cannot jump over other pieces.
• You cannot make a move to a square occupied by your piece. If the move ends on a square with an alien piece, it is removed from the board.
• The king moves one square horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
• The queen moves in any direction vertically, horizontally, diagonally and at any distance.
• The rook moves only vertically and horizontally, but at any distance.
• The bishop moves diagonally to any distance.
• Knight ─ the move of this piece resembles the letter "G" or the Latin "L". Movement: two cells vertically and one horizontally, and vice versa, two horizontally and one vertically. After a move, the knight always ends up on a square of the wrong color from which the move began. The second feature is that the knight jumps over the pieces on its way, they do not interfere with the movement.
• Pawns only move one square forward. If you can capture someone else's piece, the pawn can move forward diagonally. At the beginning of the game, the pawn is allowed to move two squares without capturing. If the pawn has reached the opposite edge of the square, it can be replaced by any piece of its color, except for the king.
• The king on the beaten square is called "in check". The player is obliged to immediately eliminate the danger. If there is no such move left, the player will receive a checkmate and lose.

Game tips

• If the king and rook of the same color from the beginning of the game did not leave their original squares, they can simultaneously change positions: the king ─ two squares to the rook, the rook ─ to the square between the initial and final positions of the king. A move is possible when there are no pieces between the rook and the king.
• If a pawn makes the first move two squares at once and after the move is in the same rank next to the opponent's pawn, then it can be captured by this pawn; then the latter moves to the square through which the captured pawn crossed.

Chess seems like a simple game only to very bad players. You can improve all your life, and to reach intermediate levels, use the advice of professionals:

• Learn the rules of the game and the basics of the endgame.
• Play as often as possible.
• Analyze your own and others' mistakes.
• Solve chess problems.

Playing online, you are unlikely to reach great heights in a difficult game. But regular training will help you master the rules and understand the philosophy of chess. Play for free and without registration!