How the pieces move

Step 1 · The rook

The rook moves in straight lines — along a rank or a file — as far as it likes, but it cannot jump over anything. Move the rook.

The move: Ra1-a5

The rook slid in a straight line. Rooks love open files and ranks.

Common mistake: That was the king. Move the rook on a1 — straight up its file or along the first rank.

Step 2 · The bishop

The bishop moves diagonally, any distance. It stays on one colour of square for the whole game. Move the bishop.

The move: Bc1-g5

Diagonal, as far as you like. This bishop lives on the dark squares forever.

Common mistake: That was the king. Move the bishop on c1 along one of its diagonals.

Step 3 · The queen

The queen does both: straight lines and diagonals, any distance. She is the strongest piece. Move the queen.

The move: Qd1-d5

Rook and bishop in one piece. Keep her safe — she is worth nine pawns.

Common mistake: That was the king. Move the queen on d1 — straight or diagonal.

Step 4 · The knight

The knight moves in an L: two squares one way, then one square sideways — and it jumps over anything in the way. The pawns do not block it. Move the knight.

The move: Nb1-c3

Jumped. Knights are the only pieces that hop over others, so they get out early.

Common mistake: That was not the knight. The knight on b1 can jump to a3, c3 or d2 — the pawns do not stop it.

Step 5 · The king

The king moves one square in any direction. It may never step onto a square an enemy piece attacks. Move the king.

The move: Ke1-e2

One square at a time. Slow — but the whole game is about him.

Common mistake: That was the pawn. Move the king on e1 one square in any direction.

Step 6 · The pawn

Pawns move straight ahead: one square, or two on their very first move. They never go back. Move the pawn.

The move: e2-e4

Forward. On its first move a pawn may go two squares; after that, one.

Common mistake: That was the king. Move the pawn on e2 forward — one or two squares.

Step 7 · Pawns capture sideways

Pawns capture differently from how they move: one square diagonally forward. Take the black pawn on d5.

The move: e4xd5

Captured diagonally. A pawn cannot take what stands straight in front of it — that only blocks it.

Common mistake: The black pawn on d5 is still there. Your pawn captures diagonally: e4 takes d5.

Step 8 · Castling

Castling moves two pieces at once: the king two squares toward the rook, and the rook hops over him. Neither may have moved, the squares between must be empty, and the king may not be in check or pass through an attacked square. Castle.

The move: O-O

Castled. The king is tucked toward the corner and the rook is ready to work.

Common mistake: Not castled yet. Move the king two squares, from e1 to g1 — the rook jumps over on its own.

Step 9 · Promotion

Move the pawn to the last rank and choose a queen, rook, bishop or knight. Check the position before choosing; a queen is not always best.

The move: g7-g8

Your pawn became a new piece. The promotion choice can change the result, so check for stalemate before deciding.

Common mistake: The pawn is still on g7. Push it to g8 to promote.

A footnote: en passant

When an enemy pawn jumps two squares and lands beside yours, you may capture it as if it had moved only one — but only on the very next move. The black pawn just jumped to d5, and your pawn takes it "in passing" on d6.

What you learned

Rooks go straight, bishops diagonally, the queen both ways, knights jump, kings step, pawns push forward and capture diagonally.