// learn chess

everything you need to start playing.

from zero to your first game — interactive lessons with animated boards. hit pause on any board and click a piece to see where it can move.

// the board

01 THE BOARD

grid = "8 x 8 = 64 squares"

colors = "alternating light and dark"

files = "columns a-h (left to right)"

ranks = "rows 1-8 (bottom to top)"

notation = "e4 = file e, rank 4"

Each square has a unique name combining its file letter and rank number. White starts on ranks 1–2, Black on ranks 7–8.

// the pieces

02 THE PIECES

Each side starts with 16 pieces: 1 king, 1 queen, 2 rooks, 2 bishops, 2 knights, and 8 pawns.

♔ King

piece = "king"

movement = "one square, any direction"

value = "the game"

Moves one square in any direction. The most important piece — if it's checkmated, you lose.

♕ Queen

piece = "queen"

movement = "any direction, any distance"

value = "9 points"

Moves any number of squares horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The most powerful piece on the board.

♖ Rook

piece = "rook"

movement = "horizontal or vertical"

value = "5 points"

Moves any number of squares along a rank or file. Dominates open lines.

♗ Bishop

piece = "bishop"

movement = "diagonal only"

value = "3 points"

Moves any number of squares diagonally. Stays on its starting color the entire game.

♘ Knight

piece = "knight"

movement = "L-shape, can jump"

value = "3 points"

Moves in an L-shape: two squares in one direction, then one square perpendicular. The only piece that can jump over others.

♙ Pawn

piece = "pawn"

movement = "forward, captures diagonal"

value = "1 point"

Moves one square forward (two from its starting position). Captures diagonally. Can promote to any piece when reaching the last rank.

// special moves

03 SPECIAL MOVES

Castling

type = "king + rook move together"

kingside = "O-O (short)"

queenside = "O-O-O (long)"

King moves two squares toward a rook, the rook jumps over. Only works if neither piece has moved, no pieces are in between, and the king isn't in check.

En Passant

trigger = "opponent pawn advances two squares"

capture = "as if it moved only one square"

If a pawn moves two squares forward from its starting position and lands next to an enemy pawn, the enemy can capture it "in passing" — but only on the very next move.

Pawn Promotion

trigger = "pawn reaches last rank"

becomes = "queen, rook, bishop, or knight"

When a pawn reaches the opposite end of the board, it must promote to another piece. Almost always a queen — the most powerful choice.

// winning and drawing

04 CHECK, MATE & STALEMATE

Check

state = "king is under attack"

response = "must escape, block, or capture"

When your king is attacked, you must deal with it immediately. Move the king, block the attack, or capture the attacker.

Checkmate

state = "king attacked, no legal moves"

result = "game over — you win"

The ultimate goal. When the king is in check and has no way to escape, the game is over.

Stalemate

state = "not in check, but no legal moves"

result = "draw"

If it's your turn but you have no legal moves and your king is NOT in check, the game is a draw. Avoid this when you're winning!

// ready to play?

$ ssh chessssh.com

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