Lesson 1 Chess For Beginners

The Starting Position

Let's take a look at the starting position. Finally we see a board full of pieces! 

After the previous lessons you know how they are called.

White starts with 16 pieces and so does Black — which means 32 pieces and 32 empty squares.

But they won't stay empty for long!

The Pawn

The foot soldiers of the chessboard! There are as many of these little guys as all the other pieces put together.

They’re often neglected — or sacrificed on the front line of attacks — but don’t underestimate them!

A famous chess player, André Danican Philidor, once described pawns as “the soul of chess” and although they start small, they are unique in that they can transform into other pieces if they reach the last rank. (More on that later!)

The Knight

Every child’s favourite piece!

This "little horsey" is instantly recognisable, though unless you want to annoy your opponent you should probably call it a “knight” in polite company.

It leaps around the board — even over the top of other pieces. 

When playing in real life you may decide what direction you want to point its head when you place it on a square.

The exact details of how it moves will be revealed soon! 

The Bishop

These pointy­­–headed guys are instantly recognisable by their bishop’s hats (mitres). Or you can think of them as especially tall pawns!

Historically — they’ve been elephants (and still are in some languages), hunters, runners and archers, but in action there’s no mistaking them.

Remember the diagonals? (But we’ll get to that soon…)

The Rook

These little castles can be found at the corners of a chessboard at the start of a game.

Although teasingly referred to as a “castle”, you’ll impress your chess–playing friends if you stick to “rook”.

The word comes from the Persian and Sanskrit for “chariot” — yes, chess came from the East, and moved West to Europe through Asia Minor.

The rooks, however, are major pieces. Think straight lines and understated power. 

The Queen

In chess (much as in life) the real source of power is female! 

The king is nominally the "most important" piece, but the queen dominates the board — leaving a trail of destruction in her wake.

She wears a crown on her head, and is the second tallest piece.

The King

These monarchs of the chessboard are both powerful and vulnerable — much like historical kings.

Tall and imposing, the king is often depicted with a cross on his head.

At the start of a game you’ll find each king with his queen by his side.

The king must be protected at all costs. If he can be captured by force, the game is over.