Chess Basics


How to Move

1. The Pawn

Pawn on a chessboard
Figure 1 - Pawn on a chessboard

The pawn is the weakest piece in the game. Each player has eight of them. They can only move forward one square at a time and attack diagonally.
They can move two squares forward on their first move.

2. The Rook

Rook on a chessboard
Figure 2 - Rook on a chessboard

The rook is the piece that can only move horizontally and vertically. Each player has two of them. They cannot jump over other pieces, and have a
special move called "castling." Castling will be covered in Special Moves.

3. The Bishop

Bishop on a chessboard
Figure 3 - Bishop on a chessboard

The bishop is the piece that can only move diagonally. Each player has two of them. They can move to any square in that direction if not blocked by any other pieces.

4. The Knight

Knight on a chessboard
Figure 4 - Knight on a chessboard

The knight moves in an "L" shape. It is the only piece in the game that can jump over other pieces.

5. The Queen

Queen on a chessboard
Figure 5 - Queen on a chessboard

The queen is the most powerful piece in the game. Each player has only one queen. It can move horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. It can move to any square in either direction if not blocked
by any other pieces.

6. The King

King on a chessboard
Figure 6 - King on a chessboard

This is the most important piece in the game. It can move horizontally, vertically, or diagonally like the queen, but only by one square.
If the king is threatened with capture, it is said to be in check. When the king is threatened, it must escape to another square. If it cannot,
the game ends with a checkmate.

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