Move pieces according to classic chess rules. Put the opposing king in checkmate to win.
Select a piece to see legal moves. Pawns can promote when they reach the far side. Castling and en passant
are supported when legal.
1. Quick Start
White moves first
Players take turns. In Single Player, you are White.
Tap to move
Tap a piece, then tap a highlighted destination square.
Capture
Capture by moving onto an opponent piece’s square.
Win
The goal is checkmate, not just capturing.
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2. Goal of Chess
Checkmate the opposing king. Checkmate means the king is attacked and has no legal escape.
Strategy Tip
Winning material helps, but checkmate is the only way to win quickly. Always watch king safety.
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3. How the Board Works
- The board is 8×8.
- Files are A–H (left to right).
- Ranks are 1–8 (bottom to top from White’s side).
- Light and dark squares alternate.
- In this game, highlighted squares show legal moves.
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4. How Each Piece Moves
♙
Pawn
Forward 1. From start may move 2. Captures diagonally. Promotes on the far side.
♖
Rook
Any number of squares horizontally or vertically.
♘
Knight
L-shape (2+1). Can jump over pieces.
♗
Bishop
Any number of squares diagonally.
♕
Queen
Moves like rook + bishop combined.
♔
King
One square any direction. Cannot move into check.
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5. Capturing Pieces
- You capture by moving onto an opponent piece.
- Captured pieces are removed and shown in the Captured area.
- Capturing is useful — but always check if it’s safe.
Beginner Rule
Don’t capture automatically. First ask: “What happens after I capture?”
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6. Check, Checkmate, and Stalemate
- Check: your king is attacked. You must respond immediately.
- Responses: move the king, capture the attacker, or block the attack.
- Checkmate: no legal response — game over.
- Stalemate: no legal move, but not in check — it’s a draw.
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7. Special Moves
Pawn Promotion
Reach the last rank and choose a new piece (usually a queen).
Castling
A king safety move that also develops a rook.
En Passant
A special pawn capture available immediately after a 2‑square pawn move.
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9. Castling
Castling moves the king two squares and places the rook next to it.
Castling is legal only if
- King and rook have not moved
- No pieces between them
- King is not in check
- King does not pass through check
- King does not end in check
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10. En Passant
If an enemy pawn moves two squares and lands beside your pawn, you may capture it as if it moved only one
square — but only immediately on your next move.
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11. Basic Opening Tips
- Control the center (e4/d4).
- Develop knights and bishops early.
- Castle early when safe.
- Don’t bring the queen out too early.
- Try not to move the same piece repeatedly.
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12. Middlegame Strategy
- Look for checks, captures, and threats each move.
- Use tactics: pins, forks, skewers, discovered attacks.
- Improve your worst-placed piece.
- Coordinate pieces — attack with a team.
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13. Endgame Basics
- Kings become active fighters.
- Passed pawns are powerful — push them.
- Learn basic mates: King+Queen vs King, King+Rook vs King.
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14. How to Win
Before every move, ask:
- Is my king safe?
- What is my opponent threatening?
- Do I have a check?
- Do I have a safe capture?
- Am I leaving something undefended?
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15. Common Beginner Mistakes
- Ignoring check threats.
- Leaving pieces undefended (“hanging”).
- Queen out too early.
- Not castling.
- Forgetting knights can jump.
- Capturing without checking if it’s safe.
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16. Practice Challenges
- Castle within your first 10 moves.
- Spot every legal capture before moving.
- Win by promoting a pawn.
- Try to keep your queen alive for 20 moves.
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17. Quick Reference
Pawn: forward, captures diagonally
Rook: straight lines
Knight: L-shape, jumps
Bishop: diagonals
Queen: straight + diagonal
King: one square
Check: king attacked
Checkmate: no escape
Stalemate: no legal move, not in check
Castling: king safety move
Promotion: pawn becomes stronger piece
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