Becoming a good chess player doesn’t happen overnight. First, you need a solid grasp of the rules of chess. From properly setting up the board to moving the pieces, IchessU will teach you all the basics and more. Our coaches will provide you with a strong foundation so that you can become a better, more strategic player who can confidently conquer the chessboard.
Below are some of the essential rules of chess to get you started:
Setting Up the Chessboard:
The chessboard is essentially a battlefield where each player is a strategist, and every square represents a strategic position. To prepare the board for battle:
Orient the board: Each player should have a light-colored square in the lower right corner from their perspective. This ensures consistent orientation for both players and prevents confusion.
Place your pieces: Position your chess pieces on the two rows closest to you. The back row consists of the King, Queen, two Bishops, two Knights, and two Rooks, with the Rooks on the corners. The Pawns are placed on the second row.
Knowing the Jargon: When studying chess rules, it’s important to familiarize yourself with the game’s language, known as algebraic notation. This will help you understand instructions from websites, books, and online chess lessons. It also simplifies recording the moves.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
K: King
Q: Queen
B: Bishop
R: Rook
N: Knight
(No letter): Pawn
Every square on the chessboard is identified by the letters a-h and numbers 1-8.
Learning the Right Moves:
Every piece holds potential power, and knowing how to use them effectively is key to becoming a good player. The ultimate goal is to checkmate your opponent’s king — putting the king in a position where it is under direct attack and there’s no legal move to escape. To achieve checkmate, you must strategically corner your opponent’s king, leaving them with no legal moves. This requires careful planning, protecting your own king, and anticipating your opponent’s next steps.
Ready to Master the Rules?
Learning the rules of chess is easier when you have an expert guiding you. Consider signing up for online chess lessons at IchessU for live group or one-on-one learning with one of our seasoned coaches. Register for a free lesson today to see how it works.
