Chess For Novices - A Guide for Fresh Beginners and Aspiring Novices

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Chess Rules - Game Overview

Chess is a game played between two opponents. One controls the white pieces. The other controls the black pieces.

Each player alternates moving one piece at a time. The white side moves first - the black side second.

The object of the game is to capture the opposing King, while protecting your own. You do not win the game by scoring points. You can only win by eliminating the opposing King.


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Ranks Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Ranks
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Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board
Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board
Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board
Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board
Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board
Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board Chess Board
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This is an empty chess board. The board is aligned so that the bottom right square is light.

The Chess Board

Chess is played on an 8 by 8 board of 64 squares. The squares are alternately light and dark. The players sit across from each other - one at the bottom and one at the top.

The board is aligned so that the square in the bottom right corner is light. "Light on the Right!"


The Chess Armies

Each side has 16 pieces in his army, of 6 different types.

Each type of piece has a unique way of moving.

The pieces do battle by capturing each other.

Now, let's take a look at the pieces.


Back - Next
Chess Rules and Basics - Table of Contents
Introduction - Game Overview
The Pieces - The Rook - The Bishop - The Queen - The Knight - The Pawn - The King
Starting a Game - Check & Checkmate - Stalemate
Castling - Promotion - En Passant
Understanding Checkmate - Part 2 - Part 3 - Part 4 - Part 5 - Part 6
Chess Strategy 101
Chess Notation - Part 2
Where to Go From Here