Play Now
Chess
Chess is a two-player strategy game played on an 8×8 board, descended from the Indian game chaturanga around the 6th century and given its modern rules in 15th-century Europe. Each side commands sixteen pieces with different powers, and the goal is to trap the enemy king. It is the most studied board game in history.
Chess Rules
Each player starts with eight pawns, two knights, two bishops, two rooks, a queen, and a king. White moves first, then players alternate. Every piece moves differently: rooks travel in straight lines, bishops diagonally, the queen in any direction, knights in an L-shape that jumps over pieces, the king one square at a time, and pawns forward one square (two on their first move), capturing diagonally.
You capture an enemy piece by moving onto its square. Special moves include castling (the king and a rook move together for safety), en passant (a pawn capturing a pawn that just advanced two squares), and promotion (a pawn reaching the far rank becomes any piece, usually a queen).
When a king is attacked it is in check and must escape immediately. If there is no legal way to stop the attack, it is checkmate and the game ends. A game can also be a draw by stalemate, threefold repetition, the fifty-move rule, or insufficient material.
Chess Strategy & Tips
Fight for the center
Control of e4, d4, e5, and d5 gives your pieces more squares and mobility. Open with a central pawn and support it with knights and bishops before launching anything.
Develop, then castle
Bring your knights and bishops off the back rank early and castle within the first ten moves. A king stuck in the center is the most common cause of a quick loss.
Count material before trading
Pawns are worth 1, knights and bishops 3, rooks 5, and the queen 9. Only trade when you come out even or ahead, or when it improves your position.
Make threats with a plan
Don't push pieces aimlessly. Target weak pawns, open files for your rooks, and coordinate two pieces against one point so your opponent can't defend everything.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you win at chess?
You win by delivering checkmate — attacking the enemy king so that it cannot move to safety, block the attack, or capture the attacker. You can also win if your opponent resigns or runs out of time.
What is the best first move in chess?
1.e4 and 1.d4 are the two most popular and strongest first moves. Both stake a claim in the center and open lines for your pieces. There is no single objectively best move.
Can a pawn become a queen?
Yes. When a pawn reaches the opposite end of the board it promotes, and you may choose any piece except a king or pawn. Players almost always pick a queen because it is the strongest piece.
What is castling and when can you do it?
Castling moves the king two squares toward a rook and the rook to the king's other side. It is legal only if neither piece has moved, the king isn't in check, and the squares between them are empty and unattacked.