Free chess guides

Chess Guides for Beginners

Clear, short guides to the rules and tactics of chess, each with board diagrams. Every guide links to an interactive 3D lesson where you make the moves yourself.

The basics

How the board is set up, how every piece moves, check, checkmate, the special moves and your first moves.

Setting up the boardHow to Set Up a Chess BoardSet up a chess board correctly: which way the board faces, where every piece goes, how squares are named and who moves first.The rookHow Does the Rook Move in Chess?The rook moves any number of squares in a straight line along a rank or file. Learn how it moves, captures, and where it is strongest.The bishopHow Does the Bishop Move in Chess?The bishop moves diagonally any number of squares and always stays on one colour. Learn how it moves and how to use it well.The queenHow Does the Queen Move in Chess?The queen moves like a rook and a bishop combined: any distance in straight lines and diagonals. Learn how to use the most powerful piece.The knightHow Does the Knight Move in Chess?The knight moves in an L shape and is the only piece that can jump over others. Learn how the knight moves, captures and forks.The kingHow Does the King Move in Chess?The king moves one square in any direction and may never move into check. Learn the king's rules and why he matters most.The pawnHow Do Pawns Move and Capture in Chess?Pawns move straight forward but capture diagonally. Learn the pawn's two-square first move, captures, en passant and promotion.CheckWhat Is Check in Chess? Three Ways to EscapeCheck means your king is under attack. Learn the three ways to get out of check: move the king, block the attack, or capture the attacker.Checkmate and stalemateWhat Is Checkmate? And Why Stalemate Is a DrawCheckmate wins the game; stalemate is a draw. Learn the difference, see examples, and avoid throwing away a winning position.Special movesCastling, En Passant and Promotion ExplainedThe three special moves in chess explained: when you can castle, how en passant works, and what happens when a pawn promotes.Piece valuesHow Much Are Chess Pieces Worth?Chess piece values: pawn 1, knight 3, bishop 3, rook 5, queen 9. Learn how to use the point values to judge trades.Your first movesHow to Start a Chess Game: 3 Opening PrinciplesStart every chess game well with three principles: control the centre, develop your knights and bishops, and castle early.

Tactics

The short tricks that win pieces and games: forks, pins, skewers, discovered attacks and checkmate patterns.

The forkWhat Is a Fork in Chess?A fork is one piece attacking two or more enemy pieces at once. Learn knight forks, pawn forks and queen forks with examples.The pinWhat Is a Pin in Chess?A pin stops a piece from moving because a more valuable piece stands behind it. Learn absolute and relative pins and how to use them.The skewerWhat Is a Skewer in Chess?A skewer attacks a valuable piece that must move, exposing a piece behind it. Learn how skewers work with rooks, bishops and queens.Discovered attackWhat Is a Discovered Attack in Chess?A discovered attack happens when moving one piece reveals an attack by another. Learn discovered checks and double checks with examples.Back-rank mateWhat Is a Back-Rank Mate in Chess?A back-rank mate traps a king behind its own pawns. Learn how it works, how to deliver it, and how to stop it happening to you.Mate in oneCommon Checkmate Patterns Every Beginner Should KnowLearn four checkmate patterns that win games: the Scholar's Mate, smothered mate, the corner mate with king and queen, and the supported queen mate.Mate in twoHow to Find Mate in Two in ChessA step-by-step method to find mate in two: start with checks, consider every reply, and spot quiet moves and sacrifices.

Interactive

Learn by doing

Reading helps. Playing the moves yourself helps more. Open Pawnorama to practise on a 3D board, then test yourself against the computer at six levels.

Open the app →