Chess Game Instructions

Objective

• The object of chess is to capture your opponent's king. Maneuver your pieces to place the opposing king in a position of checkmate and you are the winner.

The Pieces

• The king is your most valuable piece, though he has little power. He is able to move only one square at a time, in any direction. Protect your king at all times to avoid being placed in a threatening position.

  The queen is your most powerful piece, almost as valuable as the king. She can move as many squares as are open in any direction. Protect your queen well, even if you must sacrifice a different piece in her place.

  The rook can move as many spaces as are open in either a vertical or horizontal direction. The rook is also known as the castle and can switch places with the king one time during the game. Consider your rook to be next in line from the queen in order of importance.

  The Bishop moves only diagonally across the board and can advance as many squares in which he has a clear path. He ranks just below the rook.

  The Knight moves in an "L" direction, either up two and over one square or over two and up one square. The knight shares equal value with the bishop and is the only piece that can jump over others. He ranks just above the pawn, but don't underestimate the value of his unique move. A well planned strategy of your knights' moves can prove difficult for your opponent to anticipate.

  The Pawn is considered least valuable. Pawns advance one square at a time. A pawn may go forward two spaces during his first move only. A pawn moves forward but captures diagonally. Sacrifice a pawn to capture an opposing piece or in the defense of a more significant one, but remember that a pawn that safely reaches the other end of the board is promoted to a higher ranking piece.

Board Setup

• Set up your board using the "white is right" rule, which simply means that the square in the right bottom corner should be white. Set up the bottom row with the rooks on the outside corners. Place the knights next to the rooks, followed by the bishops, and the king and queen in the center. Place the queen on her own color and the king on his opposing color. Fill the next row with the defending pawns.

Basic Rules

• The player controlling the white pieces moves first. If a king is in check, it means he is about to be captured. The player in check must move in defense of the king. If a king is not in check but every possible move will place him in check, the game ends in a stalemate. When a king has been placed in a position of capture and there is no move to save him, the king is in checkmate and his opponent wins.