Chess rules: how to play chess

Chess is one of the world's most popular strategy games, combining calculation, planning and tactics on a board of 64 squares.

The basic objective is simple: put your opponent's king in checkmate. Reaching that goal, however, requires you to understand how every piece moves, how captures work, how to protect your king and how special moves can change the position.

This guide explains the rules of chess, how to set up the board, how each chess piece moves, how check and checkmate work, the rules for castling, en passant and pawn promotion, and how a chess game can end in a draw.

The objective of chess

The objective of chess is to checkmate the opponent's king.

A king is in check when it is under direct attack from an opponent's piece.

The player whose king is in check must respond immediately. The threat can be removed by moving the king, capturing the attacking piece or blocking the line of attack when possible.

If the king is in check and no legal move can remove the threat, the position is checkmate.

The player who delivers checkmate wins the game.

The chessboard

Chess is played on a board containing 64 squares arranged in an 8×8 grid.

The squares alternate between light and dark colours.

The board is positioned so that each player has a light-coloured square in the corner on their right-hand side.

Chess pieces move according to their individual movement rules, and the colour of the square can be strategically important, particularly for bishops.

The chess pieces

Each player starts with 16 pieces:

• 1 king
• 1 queen
• 2 rooks
• 2 bishops
• 2 knights
• 8 pawns

White and black have the same number and types of pieces.

White moves first, and players then alternate turns.

How the chess pieces move

Learning how each chess piece moves is the foundation of the game.

The king

The king moves one square in any direction: horizontally, vertically or diagonally.

The king cannot move onto a square controlled by an opponent's piece.

Because losing the king is not a legal outcome of the game, protecting the king is one of the most important responsibilities of every player.

The king can also participate in a special move called castling.

The queen

The queen is the most powerful chess piece in terms of movement.

It can move horizontally, vertically or diagonally across any number of unobstructed squares.

The queen combines the movement of the rook and bishop, making it highly effective in both attack and defence.

The rook

The rook moves horizontally or vertically across any number of unobstructed squares.

It cannot move diagonally or jump over other pieces.

Rooks are particularly effective on open files and ranks and often become increasingly important as the board becomes less crowded.

The bishop

The bishop moves diagonally across any number of unobstructed squares.

Because it always moves diagonally, each bishop remains on the same colour of square throughout the game.

A player starts with one bishop on light squares and one bishop on dark squares.

The knight

The knight has the most distinctive movement of the chess pieces.

It moves in an L-shape: two squares in one direction and then one square perpendicular to that direction, or one square followed by two.

The knight is the only chess piece that can jump over other pieces.

The pawn

Pawns have the most unusual movement rules.

A pawn normally moves one square forwards.

From its starting position, it can move two squares forwards if both squares are clear.

Pawns capture differently from how they move: they capture one square diagonally forwards.

Pawns also have access to two special rules: en passant and promotion.

Capturing in chess

A piece captures an opponent's piece by moving to the square occupied by that piece.

The captured piece is removed from the board.

Most chess pieces cannot move through other pieces. The knight is the exception because it can jump over pieces.

There is no general requirement to capture in chess. If a capture is available, the player can normally choose another legal move instead.

The important exception is that a player cannot make a move that leaves their own king in check.

Check

A king is in check when it is attacked by one or more opposing pieces.

A player cannot leave their king in check.

When in check, the player must make a legal move that removes the attack.

There are three common ways to respond:

• move the king to a safe square;
• capture the attacking piece;
• block the line of attack, when the type and position of the attacking piece make this possible.

Checkmate

Checkmate occurs when a king is in check and there is no legal move that can remove the attack.

Checkmate ends the game immediately.

The king does not need to be captured. In fact, the king is never captured in a legal game of chess.

The player who delivers checkmate wins.

Castling

Castling is a special chess move involving the king and one of the rooks.

During castling, the king moves two squares towards the chosen rook, and that rook moves to the square immediately on the other side of the king.

There are two types of castling:

• Kingside castling, also called short castling;
• Queenside castling, also called long castling.

Castling is allowed only when specific conditions are met.

The king and the rook involved must not have moved previously.

The squares between the king and rook must be clear.

The king cannot castle while in check, move through a square under attack or finish on a square under attack.

Castling is strategically important because it can help protect the king while bringing the rook into a more active position.

En passant

En passant is a special pawn capture.

It can occur when an opponent's pawn moves two squares forwards from its starting position and ends up directly beside your pawn.

Your pawn may then capture it as though it had moved only one square.

The en passant capture must be made immediately on the following move. If it is not made at that time, the opportunity is lost.

Pawn promotion

When a pawn reaches the opponent's back rank, it is promoted.

The pawn must be replaced by one of the following pieces:

• Queen
• Rook
• Bishop
• Knight

A pawn cannot be promoted to another king or remain a pawn.

Promotion to a queen is the most common choice, but another piece can sometimes provide a better tactical result.

Opening, middlegame and endgame

Chess games are commonly described as having three main stages.

The opening

The opening is the first phase of the game.

Players generally aim to:

• control the centre;
• develop their pieces;
• avoid unnecessary moves with the same piece;
• prepare to castle;
• connect their rooks.

A good opening creates a strong foundation for the middlegame.

The middlegame

The middlegame is usually the most tactically complex stage.

Players look for opportunities to attack, defend, exchange pieces, create threats and exploit weaknesses in the opponent's position.

Tactical patterns such as forks, pins, skewers, discovered attacks and combinations can become particularly important.

The endgame

The endgame begins when many of the pieces have been exchanged and fewer pieces remain on the board.

Kings generally become more active in the endgame, while Pawns can become extremely important because reaching the opposite side of the board allows them to promote.

Draws in chess

A chess game does not always end with a winner.

A game can end in a draw in several situations.

Stalemate

Stalemate occurs when the player whose turn it is has no legal move, but their King is not in check.

The game ends immediately in a draw.

Agreement

Players can agree to a draw according to the rules of chess.

Threefold repetition

A draw can occur when the same position occurs three times, subject to the applicable rules for claiming the draw.

Fifty-move rule

Under the applicable rules, a player can claim a draw when the required number of moves have been made without a Pawn move or a capture.

Insufficient material

A draw can also occur when the position is such that checkmate cannot be achieved by either side using the material remaining on the board.

Basic chess strategy

Knowing the rules is essential, but understanding a few strategic principles can make your games much stronger.

Control the centre

The central squares are important because pieces positioned near the centre generally have greater mobility.

Controlling the centre can give your pieces more options while restricting your opponent.

Develop your pieces

Bring your Knights and Bishops into active positions rather than leaving them on their starting squares.

Efficient development helps you prepare for the middlegame.

Protect your king

King safety is one of the most important priorities in chess.

Castling is one of the main ways to move the King to a safer position while activating a Rook.

Think before you move

Before making a move, consider:

• What is my opponent threatening?
• Is my piece protected?
• Can my opponent capture it?
• Does my move expose my King?
• What will my opponent's strongest response be?

Thinking one move further than your opponent is not enough in every position, but consistently looking for their threats is one of the foundations of good chess.

Common chess tactics

Tactics are short sequences of moves designed to achieve a concrete advantage.

Some common tactical ideas include:

Fork

A fork occurs when one piece attacks two or more enemy pieces or targets at the same time.

Knights are particularly well known for creating forks.

Pin

A pin occurs when a piece cannot move without exposing a more valuable piece behind it, often the King.

Skewer

A skewer attacks a valuable piece first, forcing it to move and exposing a less valuable piece behind it.

Discovered attack

A discovered attack occurs when moving one piece reveals an attack from another piece behind it.

Double Check

Double check occurs when a move places the opposing King under attack from two pieces at the same time.

Frequently asked questions about chess rules

What are the basic rules of chess?

Chess is played between two players on an 8×8 board. Each player starts with 16 pieces, white moves first, and players alternate turns. Each piece has its own movement rules, and the objective is to checkmate the opponent's king.

How do you start a game of chess?

Set up the pieces in their starting positions, with the white pieces at the bottom from white's perspective and the black pieces opposite them. White always makes the first move.

Which piece moves first in chess?

There is no specific piece that must move first. The player controlling white chooses any legal first move.

Can you capture the king in chess?

No. The king is never captured in a legal chess game. When the king is under attack and cannot escape, the position is checkmate and the game ends.

What happens when your king is in check?

You must make a legal move that removes the check. You can move the king, capture the attacking piece or block the attack when possible.

What is the difference between check and checkmate?

Check means the king is under attack but the player can still respond legally. Checkmate means the king is under attack and no legal response exists.

Can the king move into check?

No. The king cannot move onto a square controlled by an opponent's piece.

Can you capture pieces whenever you want in chess?

There is no mandatory-capture rule in chess. You may capture when a legal capture is available, but you can normally choose another legal move instead.

How does castling work in chess?

Castling moves the king two squares towards a rook, while the rook moves to the square next to the king. The king and rook must meet specific conditions, including having never moved, and the king cannot castle through or into check.

Can you castle while in check?

No. A player cannot castle while the king is currently in check.

Can you castle through check?

No. The king cannot pass through a square that is under attack.

What is en passant in chess?

En passant is a special pawn capture that can occur immediately after an opposing pawn moves two squares from its starting position and lands beside your pawn.

What happens when a pawn reaches the other side?

The pawn is promoted to a queen, rook, bishop or knight.

Can a pawn become a queen?

Yes. Pawn promotion to a queen is the most common type of promotion, although a pawn can also become a rook, bishop or knight.

What is stalemate in chess?

Stalemate occurs when the player whose turn it is has no legal move, but their king is not in check. The game ends in a draw.

Can a chess game end in a draw?

Yes. Chess can end in a draw through stalemate, agreement, repetition, the fifty-move rule, insufficient mating material and other situations defined by the official rules.

What is the most powerful piece in chess?

The queen is generally considered the most powerful piece because it can move horizontally, vertically and diagonally across any number of unobstructed squares.

Which chess piece can jump over other pieces?

The knight is the only chess piece that can jump over other pieces.

How many pieces does each player start with?

Each player starts with 16 pieces: one king, one queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights and eight pawns.

How many squares are on a chessboard?

A standard chessboard has 64 squares, arranged in eight rows and eight columns.

Who moves first in chess?

The player with the white pieces always moves first.

What is the best way to learn chess?

Start by learning how each piece moves and understanding check, checkmate, captures and the special moves. Then practise basic principles such as controlling the centre, developing your pieces and protecting your king.

Now that you know the main chess rules, it is time to put them into practice.

Play chess online free on GiochiPiù, practise your strategy against the computer and see if you can find the moves that lead to checkmate.