How to Play Chess
Chess is easy to learn and a lifetime to master. This guide covers everything a beginner needs — setup, pieces, special rules, and how to win.
Board Setup
Chess is played on an 8 by 8 board. Each player starts with 16 pieces: one king, one queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights and eight pawns. White moves first. Remember: "queen on her own color" — the white queen starts on a light square.
How Each Piece Moves
- King — one square in any direction.
- Queen — any number of squares in any straight or diagonal line.
- Rook — any number of squares horizontally or vertically.
- Bishop — any number of squares diagonally.
- Knight — an L shape (two and one). It jumps over other pieces.
- Pawn — moves forward one square (two from its starting row), captures diagonally.
Special Rules
- Castling — move the king two squares toward a rook, and jump the rook over the king. Allowed once if neither piece has moved and the path is clear and safe.
- En passant — if a pawn moves two squares and lands beside your pawn, you may capture it as if it had moved one square.
- Promotion — a pawn that reaches the last rank becomes any piece (usually a queen).
Check, Checkmate and Stalemate
Check is when your king is attacked — you must escape. Checkmate is check with no escape, and it wins the game. Stalemate is when you have no legal move but you are not in check — that is a draw.
Basic Opening Tips
- Control the center with pawns (e4, d4).
- Develop your knights and bishops before moving the queen.
- Castle early to keep your king safe.
- Don't move the same piece twice in the opening.
Ready to play? Play chess online free with a friend — full rules included, no download needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you win at chess?
By checkmating the opponent's king — attacking it so it cannot escape, be defended or block the attack. Stalemate ends the game in a draw.
How does the knight move in chess?
The knight moves in an L shape: two squares in one direction, then one square perpendicular. It is the only piece that jumps over others.
How does castling work in chess?
Move the king two squares toward a rook, then place the rook on the other side of the king. Only allowed once per side, if neither piece has moved and the squares between are empty and safe.
Can I play chess online for free?
Yes. PlayArcade chess is free with full rules including castling, en passant and promotion — playable in your browser with a friend.