Guides
Chess rules, special moves, checkmates and tips for beginners.
- Chess tips for beginners: 10 habits that win more games
Simple, proven chess habits for beginners: control the center, develop pieces, castle early, check every capture, and look at your opponent's threat before you move.
- How to play chess: the rules for beginners
Chess rules in plain words: the board, how each piece moves, check and checkmate, and how a game can end in a draw. With a diagram of every piece's moves.
- Chess special moves: castling, en passant and promotion
The three special moves in chess, with the exact rules: when you can castle, how en passant works, and what pawn promotion means.
- How to checkmate: 5 basic patterns every beginner should know
The checkmates beginners need first: back rank mate, the two-rook ladder, king and queen against king, king and rook against king, and how not to stalemate.
