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Chess Path For Beginners — From Zero To Hero (Part 3)

Chess Path For Beginners — From Zero To Hero (Part 3)

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SarahSolarStrike
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  • Now, we’ve learned Chess Notation, Piece Movement, Chessboard set-up and now, it’s finally time to learn the aim of the game and some Chess Terms, that every chess player should know.

Now, from the previous lesson, we learnt, that the aim of the game is to attack the King in such a manner, that the attack can not be stopped or blocked. In Chess, we call that a Checkmate.

Now, when we attack the King, but if the attack isn’t lethal (meaning, that there is a way to avoid it), we call it a Check.

  • Let’s see some examples of Checks and Checkmates.

N1

1. e2-e4 e7-e5

Both sides develop their King’s Pawn to prepare for their pieces’ development.

A standard continuation of a chess game.

2. Bf1-c4 a7-a6

White just developed their Kingside Bishop on an active square, while Black made a random move by pushing the flank pawn for no reason.

White is better here.

3. Qd1-f3 Nb8-c6

White develops their Queen and is preparing a dangerous attack, while Black develops the Queenside Knight, thinking, that they have nothing to worry about.

  • (Although developing the Queen in the early Opening is considered bad, this is just an example)

Do you see, how to end the game?

4. Qxf7# 1–0

White simply ends the game, by taking Black’s pawn and simultaneously attacking the Black King. The Queen is guarded by the Bishop , the King can’t move and the Queen can’t be captured.

  • Thus, it’s a checkmate and White wins.

White wins.

Now, you might be thinking, if the Bishop had taken the Pawn instead, would it still be Checkmate?

Let’s have a closer look.

4. Bxf7+ Ke7

For newer players, this may be hard to see, but again, although the Bishop can’t be taken, because it is guarded by the Queen and none of the other pieces are attacking it.

But, the e7 square is now free for the King to go.

So, if the King can escape an attack, it isn’t a checkmate, it’s only a check.

Is this still a Checkmate?

Now, the following Checkmate pattern is called the Scholar’s Mate, because it’s the first one, that kids usually learn.

It is very easy to memorise the attack, but it can be easily defended. For that reason, even Intermediate players don’t use it.

  • But, this wasn’t a lesson to show you, how to checkmate, this was a guide to help your thinking in a game.

  • The more you focus on attacking correctly and having a strong defense, you’ll generally see gradual improvement.

In the next lesson, we will learn, what are Special Rules in Chess, what is Double Check and much more

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