Chess basics

How chess pieces move

Tap any piece on the board to see where it can go, then move it. Open a piece below for a closer lesson and a capture challenge.

Tap a piece to see where it can go, then tap a square to move. You play both sides.

One lesson per piece

Knight3 pointsHow it moves
Bishop3 pointsHow it moves
Rook5 pointsHow it moves
Queen9 pointsHow it moves
KingpricelessHow it moves
Pawn1 pointHow it moves

Piece values

A rough guide to what each piece is worth when you trade.

  • Pawn 1
  • Knight 3
  • Bishop 3
  • Rook 5
  • Queen 9
  • King -
Cats vs Dogs Chess game screenshot
Play with the pieces

Cats vs Dogs Chess: 3d chess with cats and dogs

In Cats vs Dogs Chess the pieces are 3D cats and dogs. Play the computer or a friend.

Play Cats vs Dogs Chess

Next: set up the board, learn the rules and try puzzles.

Questions

How do the chess pieces move?

The king moves one square any way. The queen moves any distance in a straight line. The rook moves along ranks and files, the bishop along diagonals, the knight in an L and jumps, and the pawn moves forward one square and captures diagonally.

What are the names of the chess pieces?

King, queen, rook, bishop, knight and pawn. Each side starts with one king, one queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights and eight pawns.

What are the values of chess pieces?

Pawn 1, knight 3, bishop 3, rook 5, queen 9. The king cannot be traded, so it has no value in points.

Which piece is the strongest?

The queen. She combines the rook and the bishop and is worth about nine pawns.