Learn chessMove by move
Choose where to begin
What is Pawnorama?A free 3D chess coach in your browser
Pawnorama teaches chess one move at a time on an interactive 3D board. Every lesson asks you to make the move yourself, with a hint when you are stuck and an explanation when you go wrong. It is free, needs no account or download, and works on phones, tablets and computers.
Learn the basics
Twelve short lessons: the board, how each piece moves, check, checkmate, stalemate, castling, en passant, promotion, piece values and your first moves.
Start the basicsLearn tactics
Seven lessons on the tricks that win games: forks, pins, skewers, discovered attacks, back-rank mates and mates in one and two, with puzzles to solve.
Start tacticsPlay the computer
Test yourself against a computer opponent at six levels, from first steps to club player. Take moves back and ask for hints whenever you like.
Play a gameFree chess guides
Prefer to read first? Each guide explains one topic with board diagrams and links to its interactive lesson.
Basics
- How to Set Up a Chess Board
- How Does the Rook Move in Chess?
- How Does the Bishop Move in Chess?
- How Does the Queen Move in Chess?
- How Does the Knight Move in Chess?
- How Does the King Move in Chess?
- How Do Pawns Move and Capture in Chess?
- What Is Check in Chess? Three Ways to Escape
- What Is Checkmate? And Why Stalemate Is a Draw
- Castling, En Passant and Promotion Explained
- How Much Are Chess Pieces Worth?
- How to Start a Chess Game: 3 Opening Principles
Why I built Pawnorama
Hi, I’m James Dulay, a UI/UX and graphic designer. I built Pawnorama to give open access to anyone who wants to learn chess, from complete beginners to players who already know the game.
Most good learning tools ask you to download an app first. That is one more hurdle before you can learn anything, especially on a phone. Pawnorama runs straight in your browser: open the link and start playing.
How it was made. I designed and directed Pawnorama and built it with the help of AI. The lesson solutions and guide diagrams were checked against a chess engine, but if you spot a mistake or have an idea, I would love to hear it.
Questions
Is Pawnorama free?
Yes. Every lesson, guide and game is free, with no ads and no sign-up.
Do I need an account or a download?
No. Pawnorama runs in your web browser. Your progress is saved in that browser on your device.
Who is Pawnorama for?
Complete beginners, young players, and people who already know the moves and want to learn tactics. You choose the learner type and the coaching adapts its wording and starting difficulty.
Does it work on phones and tablets?
Yes. Pawnorama works in current browsers on phones, tablets and computers. The 3D board needs WebGL, which almost all modern devices support.
How strong is the computer opponent?
There are six levels, from complete beginner up to a solid club player. The rating shown for each level is a rough estimate to help you choose, not an official rating.
What will I learn?
How each piece moves, check and checkmate, castling, en passant and promotion, piece values, opening principles, and tactics such as forks, pins, skewers, discovered attacks and back-rank mates.