The Rules of Chess – A Beginner’s Guide to the Game of Kings

Chess is one of the world’s oldest and most respected board games. With its 64 squares and 32 pieces, this ancient game has captivated minds for centuries, from war generals to school children. But what are the rules behind this intellectual sport? In this blog post, we’ll take a deep dive into the basic rules, special moves, and historical background of chess to help you get started or refresh your knowledge.

The Chessboard and Setup

Chess is played on an 8×8 board consisting of 64 squares, alternating between light and dark colors. When setting up the board, make sure that the bottom-right square is white. That’s a golden rule to remember.

Each player starts with 16 pieces:

1 King

1 Queen

2 Rooks

2 Bishops

2 Knights

8 Pawns


One side plays as White and the other as Black. White always makes the first move.

The Queen is placed on her own color—White Queen on a white square and Black Queen on a black square. This is a helpful setup tip that many beginners overlook.


The Objective of the Game

The goal of chess is simple in theory but complex in execution: checkmate your opponent’s King. This means placing the opponent’s King under threat of capture in such a way that no legal move can save it. Once checkmate is delivered, the game is over.

A Brief History of Chess

The game we now know as chess originated in India around 500 A.D., where it was called “Chaturanga.” It spread to Persia, the Islamic world, and eventually Europe. By the year 1500 A.D., most of the modern rules were in place. The current version of chess has been played for more than 500 years, making it one of the most enduring strategy games in history.

How Each Piece Moves

Let’s break down how each piece moves and its relative value in points.

1. King (K)

Value: Infinite (priceless)

Moves: One square in any direction—up, down, sideways, or diagonal.

Special Rule: The King cannot move into check (a square attacked by the enemy).


2. Queen (Q)

Value: 9 points

Moves: Any number of squares in any direction—vertically, horizontally, or diagonally.


3. Rook (R)

Value: 5 points

Moves: Any number of squares horizontally or vertically (along ranks or files).

Important for a special move called castling.


4. Bishop (B)

Value: 3 points

Moves: Any number of squares diagonally. Always stays on the same color square.


5. Knight (N)

Value: 3 points

Moves: In an “L” shape—two squares in one direction and then one square perpendicular.

Can jump over other pieces—unique to the Knight.


6. Pawn (P)

Value: 1 point

Moves:

First move: 1 or 2 squares forward.

After the first move: only 1 square forward.

Captures diagonally one square forward.

Promotion: If a pawn reaches the opposite end of the board, it can be promoted to a Queen, Rook, Bishop, or Knight.

Special Moves in Chess

Chess includes a few special rules that spice up the game and add depth to strategy.

1. Castling

A move involving the King and a Rook, used primarily for King safety.

The King moves two squares toward a Rook.

The Rook jumps over to the square next to the King.

Conditions:

Neither the King nor the Rook involved has moved before.

No pieces between the King and Rook.

The King may not castle into, through, or out of check.



2. En Passant

A special pawn capture:

When a pawn advances two squares from its starting position and lands beside an enemy pawn, the enemy pawn can capture it as if it had only moved one square.

Must be done immediately on the next move.


3. Pawn Promotion

When a pawn reaches the 8th rank (opposite side of the board), it can be promoted to any other piece except a King, usually a Queen.


Check and Checkmate

Check

When the King is under threat of capture, it’s in check. The player must respond by:

Moving the King,

Capturing the attacking piece,

Or blocking the check.


Checkmate

When the King is in check and there is no legal move to remove the threat, it’s checkmate. The game ends immediately.

Ways a Game Can End in a Draw

Not all chess games end in checkmate. There are several ways the game can result in a draw:

1. Agreement – Both players agree to a draw.


2. Stalemate – The player to move has no legal move, and their King is not in check.


3. Threefold Repetition – The same board position occurs three times, not necessarily in a row.


4. Fifty-Move Rule – If no pawn has moved and no piece has been captured in the last fifty moves by each player.


5. Insufficient Mating Material – Neither side has enough pieces to force a checkmate, such as King vs King, or King and Bishop vs King.


Why Play Chess?

Chess is more than just a board game. It teaches patience, calculation, risk management, and long-term planning. Whether you’re a child just starting out or an adult rediscovering the joy of the game, learning chess can enhance cognitive skills and provide hours of intellectual enjoyment.

Conclusion

Chess is a timeless game that has survived centuries of change and globalization. Its simple setup hides a world of strategic depth and creative possibility. Whether you’re learning for the first time or brushing up your knowledge, understanding the rules is the first step in mastering this beautiful game.

Now that you know the basics—from how the pieces move to special rules like castling and en passant—you’re ready to play your first game. Set up the board, remember to put a white square on your right-hand side, and let the battle of minds begin!