How to play chess, from piece movement to checkmate
Chess is a two-player strategy game played on an 8x8 board. Each player starts with 16 pieces. The goal is to checkmate your opponent's king, putting it under attack with no way to escape.
Moves one square in any direction. The most important piece, if it's checkmated, the game is over.
Moves any number of squares in any direction, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The most powerful piece.
Moves any number of squares horizontally or vertically. Powerful in open files and on the back rank.
Moves any number of squares diagonally. Each bishop stays on its starting color for the entire game.
Moves in an L-shape: two squares in one direction, then one square perpendicular. The only piece that can jump over others.
Moves forward one square (or two on its first move). Captures diagonally. Can promote to any piece when reaching the opposite end.
The king moves two squares toward a rook, and the rook jumps to the other side of the king. Only possible if neither piece has moved and the path is clear and safe.
If a pawn moves two squares forward from its starting position and lands beside an enemy pawn, the enemy pawn can capture it as if it had only moved one square. Must be done immediately.
When a pawn reaches the opposite end of the board, it must be promoted to a queen, rook, bishop, or knight. Most players choose a queen.
When a king is under attack, it's in check. The player must immediately get out of check by moving the king, blocking the attack, or capturing the attacking piece.
When a king is in check and there is no legal move to escape, the game is over. The player who delivers checkmate wins.
If a player has no legal moves but their king is not in check, the game is a draw. This is called stalemate.