Rules of Chess

If you are brand new to the game of Chess, we have provided the basic rules of the game for you as shown here. These chess rules are intended to help our visitors receive enough instruction and knowledge of the chess rules to have a legitimate and enjoyable game.  We hope that you find them useful. Keep in mind that the rules of Chess cannot possibly cover every single possible situation that may be encountered in a game. This is why arbiters are assigned to preside over tournaments, should any unusual circumstances appear in a game that necessitate decisions or rulings.

Objective

The objective of the game is to place the opponent's king "under attack" in such a way that the opponent has no legal move. The player who achieves this goal is said to have "checkmated" the opponent's king and to have won the game. The opponent whose king has been checkmated has lost the game.

Board Setup

Chess is a game for two players, one with the "White" pieces and one with the "Black" pieces. At the beginning of the game, the pieces are set up as pictured below. (See diagrams below to identify pieces.) These hints will help you to remember the proper board setup:

1.) Opposing Kings and Queens go directly opposite each other.

2.) The square in the lower right hand corner is a light one ("light on right").

3.) The White Queen goes on a light square, the Black Queen on a dark square.

White always moves first, and then the players take turns moving. Only one piece may be moved at each turn (except for "castling," a special move that is explained later). The Knight is the only piece that can jump over other pieces. All other pieces move only along unblocked lines.

You may not move a piece to a square already occupied by one of your own pieces. But you can capture an enemy piece that stands on a square where one of your pieces can move. Simply remove the enemy piece from the board and put your own piece in its place.

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