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Chess Rules Explained Simply
You can't play the game if you don't know the rules! We have stripped away the text-heavy confusion. Below are visual diagrams showing exactly how every piece moves.
📖 Beginner Tip: Don't try to memorize everything at once. Use this page as a reference while you play your first few games.
1. How The Pieces Move
Green Arrow = Movement
Red Arrow = Capture
The Rook
The Rook moves in straight lines: Up, Down, Left, or Right. It reaches across the entire board unless blocked.
The Bishop
The Bishop moves diagonally. Notice how it is stuck on the "light squares"? You have another Bishop that is stuck on the "dark squares".
The Queen
The Queen combines the power of the Rook and Bishop. She can move in every direction (straight or diagonal) as far as she wants.
The Knight
The Knight moves in an "L-Shape": 2 squares in one direction, then 1 to the side. It is the only piece that can jump over others!
The Pawn
Confusing Rule Alert:
1. Pawns move Forward (Green).
2. But they Capture Diagonally (Red).
(Also: On its very first move, a pawn can jump 2 squares forward).
1. Pawns move Forward (Green).
2. But they Capture Diagonally (Red).
(Also: On its very first move, a pawn can jump 2 squares forward).
The King
The King moves one square in any direction. He is slow. If he is attacked ("Check"), he must move to safety immediately.
2. Special Moves
Castling
King Safety Move:
The King moves two squares sideways, and the Rook hops over him.
Conditions: Neither piece has moved before, and the path is clear.
The King moves two squares sideways, and the Rook hops over him.
Conditions: Neither piece has moved before, and the path is clear.
En Passant
A special pawn capture. If the enemy pawn jumps two squares and lands right next to you, you can capture it diagonally as if it had only moved one square.
🎯 Beginner Chess Guide
This page is part of the Beginner Chess Guide — A structured step-by-step learning path for new players covering chess rules, tactics, safe openings, and practical improvement.
📖 Beginner Chess Topics Directory
This page is part of the Beginner Chess Topics Directory — A structured index of beginner chess topics — rules, tactics, openings, common mistakes, and practical training resources.
Also part of: Chess Notation Guide