When the Arabs conquered Persia, chess was taken up by the Muslim world and subsequently spread across the Mediterranean and into Europe. The Persians also introduced the terms “check” and “checkmate”. The game moved from India to Persia, where it was named ‘Shatranj’. The earliest form of the game was known as ‘Chaturanga’, which translates to ‘four divisions of the military’ - infantry, cavalry, elephantry, and chariotry, represented by the pieces that would evolve into the modern pawn, knight, bishop, and rook, respectively. Learn Basic Checkmatesįamiliarize yourself with basic checkmating patterns like the king and queen versus king, and king and rook versus king.Ĭhess originated in India during the Gupta Empire around the 6th century AD. If you’re ahead in material (have more pieces or points than your opponent), simplifying the game (trading or sacrificing your pieces) can often put you in a winning position. Try to control squares with your pawns, but avoid overextending them. Practice Pawn Structure BasicsĪvoid creating pawn weaknesses like isolated, doubled, or backward pawns. Try to anticipate your opponent’s plans and prepare to counter them. Pay Attention to Your Opponent’s MovesĪlways consider why your opponent made a particular move.

Ensure you have sufficient support before attacking. Launching an early attack before developing your pieces can backfire. Remember, you can’t castle if you’ve moved your king or the relevant rook, if there are pieces between your king and rook, or if your king is in check.

It gets your king to safety and connects your rooks. King Safety: CastlingĬastling early is usually a good idea. Avoid moving the same piece multiple times in the opening unless necessary. This helps in deploying your forces effectively.ĭevelop knights and bishops early. Develop Your Pieces EfficientlyĪim to move each piece once before moving any piece twice. This gives your pieces greater mobility and can limit your opponent’s options. Try to control the center squares (e4, d4, e5, d5). The game’s objective is to protect your king while trying to checkmate your opponent’s king. She’s your most powerful piece but also a prime target for your opponent. They become more influential as the game opens up. They’re particularly powerful in the game’s early and middle stages. Knights and Bishops: Worth 3 points each. Here are some practical advice for developing your chess skills as a beginner Understand the Value of Each Piece This move has to be executed immediately after a pawns double jump move Beginner Chess strategy The opposing piece would move as a normal attack and remove the pawn. When a pawn moves two squares on its first move an opposing pawn can capture it if it would have been able to capture the pawn had it only moved one square. The King cannot be in check or move through check to make this move. The castling move can only be made if it is the King’s first move and the involved rooks first move also. When there are no other pieces between a king and his rook, the King can move two squares towards the rook and the rook is moved to the other side of the King. If a pawn makes it all the way across the board it can be promoted to any piece.

If no moves can be made without putting a king in check, the game is a draw. A king cannot make a move that would put itself into check. When a move is made that a king cannot escape “checkmate” is announced. When check is announced, the opposing player must take the King out of danger by either moving the King or moving another piece to block it or capture the piece that is threatening the King. When a move is made that can result in the opposing King being captured on the next move, “check” is announced. Players take turns making moves with the goal of capturing the opposing King in mind. The game begins with the white player going first. This diagonal move by a pawn can only be made when capturing a piece. The can only capture a piece that is diagonally in front of them. The pawns cannot capture a piece that is right in front of it. When a piece makes a move that ends on an opponent’s piece that piece is captured and removed from the board.

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