Chess for beginners

How to play chess

You can learn the rules in ten minutes. Tap pieces on this board to see how they move, then read the steps below.

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

Six steps to your first game

Set up the board. A light square goes in each player's right-hand corner. Rooks in the corners, then knights, bishops, queen on her color, king beside her, pawns in front.
Learn how the pieces move. Each piece moves differently. Practice each one on the board above or in the piece lessons.
Know the goal. Checkmate the other king: attack it so it cannot escape.
Take turns. White moves first. Players alternate, one move each. You cannot skip.
Learn the special moves. Castling, en passant and pawn promotion.
Play and review. Play a game, then replay it and look for mistakes.

The goal

Chess is a game for two players on an eight-by-eight board. Each side has sixteen pieces. You win by checkmating the other king: attacking it so that it has no way to escape. You never actually capture the king.

How a game ends

A game ends in checkmate, resignation or a draw. A draw can come from stalemate (the player to move has no legal move and is not in check), from the same position appearing three times, from fifty moves with no pawn move or capture, from agreement, or when neither side has enough pieces to checkmate.

The six pieces

KnightThe knight moves in an L shape: two squares in one direction and then one square to the side.BishopThe bishop moves any number of squares along a diagonal, as long as nothing is in the way.RookThe rook moves any number of squares in a straight line, along a rank or a file, as long as nothing is in the way.QueenThe queen moves any number of squares in a straight line, along a rank, a file or a diagonal.KingThe king moves one square in any direction.PawnA pawn moves forward one square.

Your first game plan

Open with a center pawn. Play e4 or d4.
Develop your knights and bishops. Bring them off the back rank toward the center.
Castle early. It tucks the king away and brings a rook into play.
Do not move the same piece twice in the opening unless you must.
Before every move, ask what your opponent is threatening.

Play your first game

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

Start on Kitten level. The computer makes plenty of mistakes, and the game shows where each piece can go.

Play Cats vs Dogs Chess

Keep learning

Board setupPractice the starting position Chess rulesCastling, en passant Chess notationRead moves Chess puzzlesPractice tactics Scholar's mateA common trap

Questions

How do you play chess for beginners?

Set up the board, learn how each piece moves, and aim to checkmate the opponent's king. White moves first and players take turns. Start by playing on a low computer level and learn from each game.

What is the first thing to learn in chess?

How each piece moves, then the goal of checkmate. Everything else builds on those.

How long does it take to learn chess?

The rules take about ten minutes. Playing well takes much longer, but you can enjoy games from the first day.

What is a good first move?

Move a center pawn two squares: e4 or d4. It opens lines for your bishop and queen and claims the center.

Is chess good for kids?

Yes. It teaches planning and patience, and games can be short. Our computer opponent has a very gentle first level.