Chess for Beginners: How to Get Started and Improve Quickly

Chess is a fascinating game that has existed for thousands of years.

Aside from its historical significance, chess is also renowned for its many benefits. Among the notable advantages of playing chess is its positive impact on cognitive function. Studies have shown that playing chess can improve your intelligence. Chess stimulates the brain’s development of neural pathways, making it an effective tool for staving off cognitive decline in old age. Chess has also been credited with improving social skills and fostering a sense of community, as players can connect with others who share their passion for the game.

In this beginner’s guide to chess, we’ll start by showing you how to set up the board. Then we’ll introduce you to the different chess pieces and how they move. So, let’s get started and discover the magic of chess!

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Note: In your journey to learn chess as a beginner, you may find it beneficial to explore our article on learning algebraic chess notation, as it provides the foundation necessary to study and follow other games.

Setting Up the Chessboard

The following .gif shows how to properly set up a chessboard. Arrange the board in such a way that the bottom right corner is a light-colored square (white square). Note that the Pawns are placed on the board first, followed by the Rooks, then the Knights, then the Bishops, then the Queen. The final piece to be placed on the board is the King:

Note:

Difference Between Rank and File

In chess, the terms “rank” and “file” refer to distinct aspects of the game board.

A rank is a horizontal row.

A file is a vertical column.

You will hear these terms often, so it’s important you learn them Understanding the differences between these two concepts is crucial for strategic gameplay. Ranks are numbered from 1 to 8, moving from one side of the board to the other, while files are labeled from ‘a’ to ‘h’ from left to right. Pieces traverse ranks and files differently, influencing their movements and positioning on the board.

Your opponent’s pieces should be mirrored in the same way on the opposite side of the board.

The Pieces

Pawn♟

Pawns are the foot soldiers of your army. They move forward one square at a time, except on their first move when they can advance two squares. Pawns capture diagonally, taking out enemy pieces in their path. When a Pawn reaches the opposite end of the board, it can promote to a more powerful piece, like a Queen or Rook. Pawns are the only pieces that cannot move backward. These humble pieces may move slowly, but they play a critical role in controlling the chessboard and setting the stage for your victory.

Rook ♜

The Rook can move any number of squares and in any direction, in a straight line. At the start of the game, it is sheltered in its corner spot and usually does not come in to play until at least the middle game, at which point it can be a powerful piece that can decide the endgame. It is only slightly less powerful than the Queen, the most powerful piece in the game.

Knight ♞

The Knight is a piece that can move two spaces forward, backward, or sideways and one space either left or right. It is equivalent in points to the Bishop. But once again, points do not matter when you consider the position of play. A player in some instances may decide to sacrifice a Knight for a lower-valued piece, for a special advantage, for instances. The Knight is also a unique piece in its own and that he can jump over pieces, unlike the other pieces of the game.

Bishop♝

The Bishop is a long-range piece that moves diagonally across the chessboard. It can move any number of squares as long as it stays on the same diagonal line. This means it can travel from one corner of the board to the other if there are no obstacles in its path.

Queen ♛

The Queen is the game’s most valuable piece besides the King. It is very versatile and is often used to attack enemy pieces or to support friendly pieces. It is worth nine points and can move like a Bishop and a Rook combined. There are not many situations in which you may decide to sacrifice this piece, as it can be quite powerful from the beginning stages of the game until the end.

King ♚

Kings are the most important pieces on the board and must be protected at all costs. The King can only move one space in any direction—forward, backward or diagonally, and cannot put itself in a position where it is in check. Also, it has a special move. It is known as castling, and it allows the King to move two spaces from its starting position either toward the left or the right and moving the Rook one space over the king. This can be quite a valuable move in the beginning stages of the game as it allows the King to position itself defensively.

The chart below displays the value of each chess piece in terms of points:

Exchanging a higher-valued piece for one of lower value can be a good idea if it gives you a strategic advantage. For example, sacrificing a Rook to capture your opponent’s Queen may leave you down in material, but can create a tactical advantage on the board. Deciding to make such a trade requires careful analysis of the resulting position to ensure that it aligns with your overall game plan.

Rules of Play

As we have already seen, at the start of play, either player sets up their own position as follows:

White always makes the first move, and from the starting position above we can see that the only possible moves are by either player’s Knight or any Pawn. Usually a player will move a Pawn two spaces ahead of for its initial position. This allows either player to not only develop a piece, but open up the position for other pieces to come into play.

In chess, it is important to control as much as possible in the central area, especially during beginning play, as it offers you a tactical advantage. It is beyond the scope of this article to cover the nearly infinite number of openings and strategies available to you as a player, but we will go over a few tactics that you may find useful. But as with any game, it often takes years and years of practice to refine one’s tactical skills.

Each player takes turns moving, and it is important to mention that once you touch a piece, you do have to move it.

At any point during play on his own turn, a player may put his opponent into check. A check occurs when any subsequent move would mean capturing your capturing your opponent’s king. So in this instance your opponent would have to make a move placing it out of harm’s way.

In order to prevent your King from becoming vulnerable out in the open, most players castle in the beginning of the game. We will cover what castling is in a moment, but for now it is important to note that development is what you should be concentrating on in the beginning stages of play. Here is an example of a check:

The Black Bishop has checked the White King and White has only one move–one space forward, to g4.

Here we can observe the position of a game after 20 moves:

A lot of play is concentrated in the middle of the board. White has lost a Knight and Black has lost a Bishop. In terms of points, Black is ahead, but White’s position is better.

Both players are heavily concentrating their play in the center, and have each castled their king. Castling enables you to hide your King away from battle and keep it safe from a potential check mate. This is still too early for the middle game, though it is approaching it.

The Goal of Chess

The goal of chess is to put your opponent’s King in a position where it can no longer move. In the above position Black has no legal moves.

Strategy

Chess is a game that takes minutes to learn the basics of, but a lifetime to master. The goal is to trap the opponent’s King so that it has no legal moves after a check. To get to that goal, however, you will need to strategize in such a way that during play, you’re controlling as much as possible as the center.

Below is a position after 15 moves each. We see that White has an advantage to Black in terms of controlling center, even if it is down by a Pawn. This allows one pieces the most freedom in moving, while retaining control of the center. Simply make your moves in such a way that it allows you to control the center and eventually trap your opponent’s king.

Special Rules

Castling

Castling is a special move in chess that allows the King and one of the Rooks to move simultaneously. It is the only move in chess where two pieces can be moved at once. Castling is an important tactical maneuver that helps in developing the king’s safety and activating the Rook.

The castling move involves the King and the Rook, and there are two types of castling: kingside and queenside.

1. Kingside Castling:

This is the most common form of castling. It involves the King and the Rook on the same side of the board (the kingside). To perform kingside castling:

1. The squares between the King and the Rook must be unoccupied.
2. Neither the King nor the Rook should have moved previously.
3. There should be no pieces attacking the squares the King passes through or ends up on.
4. The King moves two squares toward the Rook, and the Rook moves to the square adjacent to the King on the other side.

Here the White King on e1 castles kingside with the Rook on h1:

2. Queenside Castling:

This form of castling involves the King and the Rook on the opposite side of the board (the queenside). The conditions for queenside castling are similar to kingside castling:

1. The squares between the King and the Rook must be unoccupied.
2. Neither the King nor the Rook should have moved previously.
3. There should be no pieces attacKing the squares the King passes through or ends up on.
4. The King moves toward the Rook two squares, and the Rook moves to the square adjacent to the King on the other side.

The following illustration shows an example of queenside castling:

Note that castling in chess has some rules you need to follow. First, the Rook and the King cannot have moved from their starting positions. Second, there shouldn’t be any other pieces between the Rook and the King.

Promotion

This happens when the Pawn becomes any piece of the player’s choosing.

A Queen is the most commonly chosen piece, although there are situations in which you may decide to choose a different piece that might, for instance, put your opponent in automatic check or mate. In the position below, you can see that White has decided to choose a Knight over a Queen when it promotes its Pawn to the first rank. The reason for the choice is that Black is placed in mate.

After White advances its Pawn and promotes it to a Knight, we have the following position:

Underpromotion

Underpromotion occurs when a player, upon reaching the opponent’s back rank with a Pawn, promotes it to a piece other than a Queen, choosing a Knight, Rook, or Bishop. This unconventional move is often used for tactical reasons, such as creating threats or avoiding stalemates or, in rare cases, delivering instant checkmate to an opponent’s King.

In the following position, White’s Pawn has underpromoted itself underpromoted itself to a Knight at f8. Why not to a Queen? The reason is that by choosing a Knight, White places its opponent’s King in immediate checkmate:

En Passant

En passant is a chess rule that allows a Pawn to capture an opponent’s Pawn that has just moved two squares forward from its starting position, and has landed adjacent to the capturing Pawn’s file. In this position, the White Pawn is on the fifth rank, and the Black Pawn has just moved two squares forward to its fourth rank, passing the diagonal of the White Pawn.

It is important to note that en passant must be executed immediately, or the opportunity to capture the Pawn in this way is lost.

Resigning

Resignation is a strategic decision often made when a player recognizes a hopeless position or impending defeat. Resigning is a widely accepted practice in chess, acknowledging your opponent’s superior position. It’s a valuable skill for players to learn when to gracefully end a game rather than prolonging an inevitable outcome, making the experience more enjoyable for both participants.

Draws in Chess

A draw in chess can occur under various circumstances, such as:

• Stalemate: When a player has no legal moves and is not in check.
• Insufficient Material: When there’s not enough material on the board for either player to deliver checkmate.
• Mutual Agreement: Players may agree to a draw if the game reaches a point where neither can win.
• Threefold Repetition: When the same position occurs three times with the same player to move and the same set of legal moves.
• 50-move Rule: If 50 consecutive moves are made by both players without a pawn move or a piece capture, a draw is declared.

Example of Stalemate

In the below position, we can see that the White King is stuck at the H1 corner and has no legal moves. The result is a stalemate:

Touch Move Rule in Chess

The touch move rule is a crucial aspect of chess etiquette and gameplay, emphasizing the importance of careful consideration and precision in each move. It dictates that if a player touches one of their own pieces, they must make a legal move with that piece if possible. Similarly, if a player touches an opponent’s piece, they must capture it if a legal capture is available.

There are exceptions to the touch move rule, such as if a player touches a piece accidentally (they’d say, “j’adoube”–French for “I adjust”–for minor piece adjustments) or if no legal moves can be made with the touched piece. It’s also acceptable to say “I adjust” or “adjust” or the equivalent in one’s native language.

The touch move rule is used in tournament play. Among friends or family members, most do not observe this rule. As long as both of you are in agreement, then this rule can be ignored so that you can enjoy chess recreationally with others.

75-Moves Draw Rule for Tournament Play

A tournament referee can declare a draw after 75 moves. This rule empowers the referee to declare a draw, circumventing the need for explicit player agreement or awareness of reaching the 50-move or 3-times same position thresholds, circumstances that might arise inadvertently, especially in fast-paced games such as blitz.

How to Improve Your Chess Strategy

If you hope to become a better chess player, you must play as often as you can. Active and frequent gameplay is the best way to improve. Throughout the world, there are plenty of local chess clubs available for you to choose from, and the great thing about them is that many are geared toward beginners. You do not have to be a player with a super-high rating to participate in their clubs and enjoy this exciting and rewarding game.

Learning how to analyze different positions and decide which tactics will work best for your pieces is also important. You also need to know what material advantage you have. For example, you may have an edge over your opponent’s King and need to choose tactics based on that. Other times, you might have a low safety for your King and must choose a strategy that will keep your King safe. You need to learn what situations you are likely to encounter and how to adapt to these situations.

Chess can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it takes practice to improve your skills.

Here are five tips to help you get started:

Use the Full Arsenal of Each of Your Pieces

When you are considering how to improve your chess strategy, it is important to remember that every piece in your chess set has a purpose. The best way to use your pieces to your advantage is to use them in strategic positions and plan your attack accordingly. For example, you should use your Queen in the first position and wait for your opponent to develop his pieces before you move them. This tactic is called calculating and it is an important aspect of chess strategy that separates mediocre players from elite players.

You should also focus on improving the skills you already possess. For example, if you are a new player, you should review the basics of the chessboard, pieces, and basic concepts. This will help you understand the basic principles of chess, including evaluating the board, visualizing it, and identifying motifs. Once you have mastered these concepts, you can apply them to your own games and improve your chess game.

Learn and Memorize Tactical Patterns

Positional patterns can involve a series of maneuverings that expose weak Pawns or squares. The most effective way to learn the tactical patterns of chess is to solve them many times. This will not only help you memorize the tactics of the different positions, but also train your mind to spot these patterns more easily. The better you get at identifying these patterns, the more likely you’ll be to win games.

As a Beginner, Use Most Commonly the E-Pawn or D-Pawn Opening

If you want to improve your chess strategy, the e-Pawn or d-Pawn opening move can be very effective. The Pawns will open pathways to central squares, allowing you to move your pieces to their strongest positions. In addition, using the e- and d-Pawn opening will help you get your pieces off the starting squares quickly, which is essential for winning the game.

The first step in using the e- or d-Pawn to improve your opening move is to think about the maximum usefulness of the piece in the position. If the e-Pawn is protected, then it will be less likely to be attacked by the other pieces. For example, in the Alekhine Defense, the first Black Knight sits near the e-Pawn. This means that if White plays 3.e4, he’ll want to protect the e-Pawn and avoid a possible future pin from Bg4. Meanwhile, if Black plays 3.c4 to f7, White will offer a Pawn in exchange for a powerful center square.

Master Pawn Structures for Enhanced Chess Strategy

While the movement of Knights, Bishops, and Rooks is crucial, it’s the subtle art of managing Pawn structures that truly separates the masters from the novices. Skillful players comprehend the profound impact of various Pawn formations on their game. The strategic finesse lies not just in the mobility of the pieces but also in the art of Pawn positioning–a subtle yet vital element in the grand strategy of chess.

Practice Defending Your Pieces

The ability to protect your pieces and King is paramount. Identifying your opponent’s weaknesses by carefully assessing their pieces across the board is the first crucial step. Understanding which pieces your opponent is weakening allows you to strategize effectively and seize the advantage. Another helpful tip is to take your time when deciding what move to make. This will enable you to spend less time defending and more time attacking.

As you Improve Your Game, Practice Opening Variations

Opening variations are a powerful way to improve your chess strategy. They can help you reach positions in the middle game that play to your strengths. If you’re not sure where to start, consider starting with a few lines from different openings and developing a repertoire of them.

Openings play a crucial role in every chess game and can change the outcome of a game. They can either create a fierce battle or a quiet positional game. While each type of opening has its own distinctive qualities, they are all categorized by their general characteristics. The following sections will give you an introduction to some of the most common openings and their typical middle game effects.

Other tips to improve your chess strategy:

• Try combining tactics with strategy
• Practice solving puzzles regularly
• Keep your strategy flexible and be open to trying new ideas
• Focus on moving your pieces efficiently
• Develop a strong sense of intuition about chess tactics

Chess Variants

Besides the regular chess that we are all used to seeing and playing, there are a number of chess variants that you might be interested in. Chess variants are captivating modifications of the traditional game of chess that offer unique challenges and exciting gameplay. These variants introduce innovative rules, pieces, or board setups that transform the strategic landscape, encouraging players to think outside the conventional boundaries. One popular variant is “Fischer Random Chess” or “Chess960,” where the starting position of the pieces is randomized, leading to fresh tactical possibilities from the very beginning. Another intriguing variant is “Three-Check Chess,” where the objective is to deliver three checks to the opponent’s King, rather than achieving checkmate. This variant promotes aggressive and dynamic play, forcing players to balance between offensive and defensive strategies. Additionally, variants such as “Bughouse Chess” involve team play, where players partner up and can use captured pieces to aid their partner’s game. These chess variants offer an abundance of opportunities for players to explore new strategies, test their creativity, and experience the thrill of chess in a different light.

Chess variants add excitement and depth to your gameplay. By exploring these variations, you tap into uncharted territories of your brain, enhancing your chess skills. Variant gameplay challenges you to think creatively, adapt, and approach the game from fresh angles. BreaKing free from conventional patterns, you unlock new dimensions of chess, sharpening your cognitive abilities. I personally have played variant variant chess and most always noticed a marked improvement in my gameplay when transitioning back to traditional chess. Once you’ve learned the basics of chess and feel confident in your own abilities, you can start enjoying the diverse world of chess variants and elevate your game to extraordinary heights.

Chess for Beginners: How to Get Started and Improve Quickly – Key Takeaways

You do not have to be a genius to learn how to play chess. This fascinating game, known to improve intelligence, will take years to master. Adding chess to the motley of games and puzzles that you already enjoy, will improve your life in more than one way. And never give up learning. In time the rewards of this ancient and fascinating game will prove to be beneficial. The key to improving your chess skills is to practice regularly, analyze your games to identify your mistakes and weaknesses, and learn from experienced players and coaches. Good luck on your chess journey!

LINKS:

1. Chess.com – This website offers chess lessons for beginners and advanced players, puzzles and tactics training, and a variety of game modes to practice your skills.

2. ChessKid – Designed for kids but suitable for all beginners, this website has interactive lessons, puzzles, and fun games to help you learn and enjoy chess.

3. Chessable – This site offers a variety of courses and training materials for chess players of all levels. They use a unique method called spaced repetition to help you memorize and learn chess concepts more effectively.

4. Chessgames – This website offers a database of over 1 million chess games, as well as puzzles and a community forum where you can discuss and learn from other players.

5. Lichess.org – This site is a popular online chess platform that offers a variety of features, including playing against the computer, live multiplayer games, analyzing games, and participating in tournaments.

6. The House of Staunton – Website dedicated to chess enthusiasts. It offers a wide range of chess products, including chess sets, boards, pieces, clocks, and software.