Chess Guide to beat your opponents: Rules & Strategies 

Chess is one of the most popular strategy board games worldwide. A checkerboard with 64 squares and an 8 by 8 grid is used for the two-player game. Chess is a game that originated in ancient India and was derived from the game “chaturanga” in the seventh century. Chess involves all six areas of the brain heavily, which promotes mental development and exercise. Playing chess offers numerous advantages, including enhancing cognitive skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic planning. It also improves memory, concentration, and decision-making abilities. 

The 16 pieces of chess 

Before learning the game of Chess, it is important to become familiar with the 16 pieces of Chess. There are 6 distinct kinds available in both black and white. Each player uses 16 pieces of the same color to play a game:

S.No	Piece	Quantity
1	King	1
2	Queen	1
3	Bishop	2
4	Rook	2
5	Knight	2
6	Pawn	8

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A Step-by-Step Chess Game Introduction Guide

Rules of Arrangement of each piece on the chessboard 

On the final two lines of the opposing sides (one color on each side), the pieces of both hues are positioned. The two rooks are placed in each corner first, then two knights are placed next to each rook, and finally two bishops are placed next to each knight. The queen is next positioned on a block of the same color, therefore a black(white) queen is positioned on a black(white) block. Finally, the final block is dealt with by the kings.

Rules of Movement of each piece on the chessboard 

A white piece is always the first to move when the game begins. Then, taking turns, both players move one piece at a time. In competitive games, the white color is chosen by a coin toss, however, in casual games, novice players may get the advantage of making the first move. 

All the pieces must move according to some general movement rules, while other restrictions apply just to certain pieces. The typical guidelines of movement are:

1. Each square can only house one piece at a time.
2. Pieces cannot pass through one another, except the Knight, who can leap over them.
3. Pieces can replace the opposite colored piece by capturing it, but they cannot replace the same colored piece.

The movement of King on the chessboard 

While the King holds paramount significance within the game, paradoxically, it also stands as one of the most vulnerable pieces. Its movement is limited to just one square in any direction—vertical, horizontal, or diagonal. Notably, the King is restricted from moving to a square that is threatened by the opponent, a condition termed “check”. 

The movement of the Queen on the chessboard 

The Queen is regarded as the most potent component. If she adheres to the norms, she can move in every direction (one at a time) as far as she wants.

The movement of Room on the chessboard 

Rooks can move as far up and down as they can while still adhering to the standard norms. When utilized in tandem, both Rooks are effective in defending one another.

The movement of Bishops on the chessboard 

On the board, bishops move diagonally. They move diagonally and always remain on the same color block. The starting point for each Bishop is a different colored block.

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The movement of the Knight on the chessboard

Without moving diagonally, knights walk 2 blocks in one direction, then 1 block in the opposite. On the board, this movement creates an L-shaped pattern. In their movement, knights can also climb over other objects.

The movement of Pawn on the chessboard

One block at a time, pawns advance. It is also capable of moving 2 blocks, but only on the initial move. Only when they are capturing another piece, which is covered in the following section, can pawns change their path.

Capturing the opponent’s pieces on the chessboard 

All the pieces—aside from the Pawn—capture an enemy piece that gets in their way. When a piece is captured, the capturing piece moves into that piece’s location. A piece cannot transfer its color to another piece. A piece that has been captured by the adversary cannot be utilized again in the game and is thus eliminated from the board.

Only when an opponent’s piece is positioned on the Pawn’s diagonal front block can it be captured in the case of the Pawn. The pawn will therefore travel onto the diagonal front block while capturing the piece. Consequently, it alters its direction of motion.

Rules of Check, Checkmate and Draws 

Check : 

When a King is endangered by another piece, or when that piece is in a position to capture the King in the following move, that piece is said to be under check. Only these three actions will allow a player to escape from the check:

1. Position the King on a secure block.
2. Use an additional piece to deny the check.
3. Check the King, capture the piece 

The king cannot be moved in a way that would result in a check against it.

Checkmate : 

King checkmate occurs when:

1. It is being examined.
2. It is unable to move to an undefended safe block.
3. No other piece can take the other player’s checking piece.

The game is won by the player who manages to checkmate the opposing player’s king.

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Draws : 

Not every game results in a checkmate. The following circumstances can result in a game being ruled a draw:

1. Deadlock (will be explained later)
2. No player has either captured a piece or moved a pawn in 50 moves in a row.
3. Checkmates cannot be forced by the pieces on the board.
4. In a game, the precise position is repeated.

The players decide on a draw.

Strategic moves to beat your opponent in the game of chess : 

1. A plan should be made as soon as the game begins. Moving the same piece repeatedly is a clear indication of uncertainty. It makes you more vulnerable to the opposition. By allowing the adversary to gain momentum, you forfeit those moves and create unneeded pressure.
2. Build your king’s castle. Castling, as the name implies, will significantly better defend the King than its default posture. Always make an effort to castle the king quickly.
3. Control the center. The entire board is accessible from the center. One who controls the center typically has power over the entire game.
4. When it comes to movement flexibility, the pawns are the weakest. But the outcome of a game is determined by where each of those eight tiny pieces is placed on the playing field. Since pawns cannot go back, you should always be careful when moving them.
5. Chess is a tactic and strategy-based game. When playing the board game, your performance improves the more alert you are. You must put in time and practice more to become familiar with the game’s tactics and maneuvers.