Learn Chess

Chess (Western chess) is a board game that is played between two players with a chess board. The chessboard is square-shaped and contains 64 squares arranged on an 8 by 8 grid. Each player during a chess match starts with sixteen different pieces. Each player has one king and queen, two rooks, knights, and bishops, and eight pawns. Every unique piece on a chess board has unique ways of traveling up and down the chessboard. Both player in a game of chess has the goal of using the pieces to checkmate the opponent’s king. This means that the king is under attack, and there is no possible move that will deem the king safe from the attack. If a king is in check, it means it is being attacked, but there is a move that will keep it safe, either by moving the king or another piece to block the attack.

For a player to learn to play chess, it is an easy task, but to master it is one of the hardest tasks for even the best players in the world. The following is a quick guide to learn to play chess and to get the basics of the game down.

The Chess Board:
Before you start beginners chess, one should get familiar with the chess board and the pieces of the chess board. The chess board is made up of 64 checkered squares arranged in an 8 x 8 pattern. Each row of squares is called a rank and they are identified using numbers 1 through 8. Each column is called a file, identified by a letter A through H. Diagonals are also important because a few select pieces are allowed to move diagonally across squares.

Setting Up the Board to Play:
When starting beginners chess, one should understand the manner in which the pieces are set up on the board. The player with the white pieces sets up his pieces on the side of the board with a “white” square on the bottom right hand corner. If you are a white player, the queen is set up on the left side and the king on the right side. If you have the black pieces, your queen is set up on the right side and the king on the left side. The rook pieces are put on both bottom corners, and next to the rooks are the knights. Then comes the bishop pieces and finally, the pawns are placed on top of those pieces on both sides.

Piece Moves:
One of the essential parts of beginners chess is to understand how each piece is able to move on the chess board. The pawn can only move one square forward, unless it’s the pawn’s first move, in which case it may move up two squares. A rook can move along ranks and files any number of spaces, as long as it is not obstructed by another piece. A bishop can move any number of spaces diagonally. The knight can move in ‘L’ shaped patterns only, and is the only piece that can move through other pieces. A queen can move along ranks, files and diagonally any number of squares. Finally, a king can only move one square in any direction, along ranks, files and diagonally.

How to Play Chess

It can be intimidating for a new chess player to take on such an extensive and storied game. Chess has been the standard for all strategic games for over 1000 years, with millions of people playing the game across the entire world. For those who do not know how to play chess, the many strategies and tactics involved with the game of chess can be overwhelming. To them, it is too difficult and disconcerting to learn a game that has been around for so long that websites are dedicated to the strategies and tactics of the game.

That being said, it is not that difficult to learn chess. The basic rules of the game are simple enough for children to learn. As such, any person, regardless of previous experience, can learn chess. Most players learn how to play chess through experience and practice. When looked at as a game played at many different skill levels, learning the game of chess is not as difficult as it may initially seem. It does take a lot of time to become an advanced player, however, but this is the nature of the game. Any person who has the desire to learn chess likely understands the impact that chess can have on the brain. The infinite amount of positions and situations that can be experienced in the game is what confuses and intimidates most players. Just as with anything in the world requiring skill and experience, learning how to play chess starts with the basics. Chess skills are built through repetition and practice, so don’t get frustrated!

Keep these tips in mind when you learn chess:

1. Patience

Patience is the most important thing when learning to play a new game. Although chess can become very complicated, it is important to remember that it is, in essence, a simple game. Start from the beginning by learning the capabilities of each piece and playing as many games as you can. Do not become frustrated if you are not winning. After all, everybody has to start somewhere!

2. Repetition

By continually playing games, you will slowly build up your mental library of situations. Play as many games as possible, as each game allows you to better understand chess positions. It will also get you more confident as you begin to win games.

3. Practice

Similar to the tip above, practice allows you to learn what works and what doesn’t work in a game of chess. Practice specific strategies and tactics to find a playing style that fits you. Practice against as many different players as possible, as new styles and higher skill levels will only improve your game. Also remember to study strategies and tactics to increase your knowledge of the game.

4. Play with friends

Make learning how to play chess a fun experience by engaging your friends in the game. The best possible situation of learning how to play chess is to play with a close friend who is also learning. This way, you can grow and learn together, keeping the competition level equal and helping each other understand the game of chess.