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Moves one square in any direction. Must be protected at all times. Losing the king means losing the game.
The most powerful piece. Moves any number of squares in any direction — horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
Moves any number of squares horizontally or vertically. Used in castling with the king.
Moves any number of squares diagonally. Each bishop stays on its starting color for the entire game.
Moves in an L-shape: 2 squares in one direction, then 1 square perpendicular. Only piece that can jump over others.
Moves forward 1 square (or 2 from starting position). Captures diagonally. Can become any piece upon reaching the last rank.
When a king is directly threatened by an opponent's piece, it is "in check." The player must immediately resolve the check by moving the king, blocking the attack, or capturing the threatening piece. You cannot make a move that leaves your king in check.
Checkmate occurs when a king is in check and there is no legal move to escape. This ends the game — the player in checkmate loses. The game also ends in stalemate if a player has no legal moves but is NOT in check (this is a draw).
A special move between the king and a rook. The king moves two squares toward the rook, and the rook jumps to the other side of the king. Conditions: neither piece has moved, no pieces between them, king not in check, king does not pass through or land on attacked square.
When a pawn reaches the opposite end of the board (rank 8 for White, rank 1 for Black), it must be promoted to any other piece (Queen, Rook, Bishop, or Knight). Most players choose the queen. In this game, a promotion dialog will appear automatically.
A special pawn capture. If a pawn advances two squares from its starting position and lands beside an opponent's pawn, that opponent's pawn may capture it as if it had only moved one square — but only immediately on the next move.
Pieces in the center control more of the board. Try to occupy or influence the central squares (d4, d5, e4, e5) early.
Castle early to tuck your king away safely behind pawns. A king caught in the center is vulnerable.
In the opening, bring your knights and bishops out before moving the same piece twice. Active pieces are powerful pieces.
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