What Are the Rules of Playing Chess?

Chess is a game that has been around for several centuries with a history that is spread all over the world. It is a strategy board game with 64 squares, played by two players. On second thought, what are the rules of chess and how would you like to play this old game? Stick around. Below, we take a look at the rules of chess one by one so you don't have to break your back learning; if you're a newbie, you'll be able to start playing with no trouble at all.

Board and Pieces Used in Chess

Before gradually proceeding into what are the rules of this game called chess, let's start with the basics, such as the chessboard and its pieces. A chessboard is always made of an 8×8 square board. Hence, it comprises a total of 64 squares. The 64 squares are laid in a checkered pattern with two alternating colors, normally black and white. There are two pairs of individual players, and each one starts with 16 pieces: one king, one queen, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, and eight pawns.

Each of these pieces moves in a unique way across the board, and knowing how they move is one of the most important parts of learning what are the basic rules of chess.

1. King

The king can move one square in any direction—up, down, left, right, or diagonally. However, the king cannot move into a square that is under attack by an opponent's piece. The object of the game is to trap the king, a situation known as "checkmate." The king is the most important piece on the board, and if this piece meets with a tight spot (checkmate), the game is over.

2. Queen

This is the most powerful piece in the game. She can move any number of squares in any direction, that is to say, up, down, to the left, to the right, or diagonally.

3. Rook

A rook moves any number of squares in any horizontal or vertical direction.

4. Bishop

The bishop moves any number of diagonal squares.

5. Knight

The knight has a way of moving that is very peculiar. In a sense, it moves in an "L" shape: two squares in one direction (up, down, left, or right) and then one square in a different direction. Knights are the only pieces that jump over other pieces.

6. Pawn

Pawns move one square forward. They capture one square diagonally. A pawn moves two squares on its first move. On reaching the final rank, a pawn can be exchanged for any other piece except a king.

How the Game Begins

This is how the game begins: the player who has the white pieces now starts; then, the rest of the players start, whereby one by one, the piece is moved. But then, the main objective here is to have your opponent's king checkmated, and to do that, one has to know what the rules of chess are.

The opening setup before the game is, rooks in the corners with the knights beside them. Next to those are the bishops. The queen shall be placed on her color, white queen onto a white square, black queen onto a black square. The king takes any remaining square. Place the pawns in the front row.

Basic Moves and Strategies

One of the first things that one shall come to know about are what the rules of chess are and how one can effectively move his pieces. Here are some basic strategies:

1. Control the Center

At the start of the game, try to control the center of the board with your pawns and pieces. This will give you more options for moving your pieces and attacking your opponent.

2. Develop Your Pieces

Bring out your knights and bishops from behind your pawns and into the action, helping them to control the board.

3. Protect Your King

A very basic concept in the basic rules of chess is that a player should protect his king. One can protect their king by casting, a special move when their king moves two squares toward a rook, and the rook moves toward the square next to the king. This usually tends to help protect the king behind a wall of pawns.

4. Think Ahead

Always try to think a few moves ahead. What is your opponent going to do next? What can you do to prepare for this?

Special Rules in Chess

When learning about what are the rules of chess, the basic movements of the pieces are easy, but there are some special rules in chess which can hold up the play. Understanding some special rules is significant in recognizing what chess rules are.

1. En Passant

This is a specific way of capturing with a pawn. When a pawn advances two squares from its starting position and lands beside an opponent's pawn, the latter may capture it as though the pawn had only advanced one square. Such a move must be made right after the pawn has advanced two squares.

2. Castling

Having said about preserving the king, it is one particular chess move that will do so. This is the sole movement in chess in which two pieces move: the king and a rook. Castling can occur only if neither the king nor the rook have moved before, and there is no piece between them. Also, the king must not currently be in check or moving in or out of check.

3. Pawn Promotion

Once a pawn reaches the other end of the board, you can exchange it for any other piece except the king. Most players promote their pawn to a queen since it is the most powerful piece.

4. Check and Checkmate

If a player's king is under attack, it is called "check." The opponent needs to move away from that check. If they cannot, and the king is still under attack, it is called "checkmate," and the game ends.

Ending the Game

Whereas what are basic chess rules is essential, the next is knowing how to conclude it. There are many ways for a chess game to end:

1. Checkmate

This is the most common way to win. In case you put your opponent's king in checkmate, then they lose, and you win the game.

2. Draw

The game may well end up in a draw. That is the situation where neither player emerges as the winner. The following means are how it may happen:

• Stalemate: If a player has no legal move, and the king is not under immediate attack, then the game is a draw.

• Threefold Repetition: If the same position occurs three times, with the same player to move each time, then either player may claim a draw.

• Fifty-Move Rule: If 50 moves are played without any pawn move or any captures, a player can claim a draw.

• Insufficient Material: The game is a draw if neither player has sufficient pieces to force a checkmate, for instance, where both players only have their kings left.

3. Resignation

One can resign from a game if they decide one can't win the game. They will, therefore, lose the game, and the opponent wins.

Common Mistakes And How To Avoid Them

1. Rushing

Chess waits for the patient. Take time to think about what moves you are going to make and what your opponent will do in return.

2. Not Protecting Your King

Safety of the king is everything. Do not place it in the open where the attacks could easily be launched.

3. Losing the Center

You should not allow the center to wobble away from your control of the board; otherwise, the opponent will have dominated the game.

4. Ignoring Threats

Always have your radar up for your opponent's pieces and what they are capable of doing. Don't only worry about what you are planning to do with your pieces but attend to what your opponent is working on.

Practice Makes Perfect

Now, knowing what the rules of chess are, it's time to play this game. The best way to get better at chess is to practice. Playing games with friends or online opponents helps in improvement. The more you play, the more you begin to recognize patterns and improve your strategies. Just keep in mind that everyone makes mistakes, especially when they just start to play. You can lose some games, but then again: in this respect, every game is a lesson and a good opportunity to learn.

Conclusion

Chess is way more than just a game; it is a mind-challenging activity, a way of increasing your concentration and also giving one lots of fun. Be it playing for fun or aspiring to become a maestro in the same; the journey is incomplete unless and until one knows what the chess rules are.

Now that you know what are the rules of chess and what are the basic rules of chess, you’re ready to start playing. Practice makes you perfect so keep playing till you master the game. Winning and losing is a part of life. Getting a chance to learn something new after a game is the best lesson.

FAQs

1. What if the player touches a piece but doesn't want to move it?

According to the formal rules of chess, a player is obliged to move a piece if, after touching it, that piece can be moved according to the rules. So, there arises a sort of "touch-move" rule: if a player touches the piece of an opponent, he captures it just in case it is possible to do so. A player has to declare "adjust" before touching the piece if it happens unintentionally.

2. Is it impossible for every pawn to make a backward move?

No, pawns can't move backward. Pawns only move forward, and that too by one square, always. On the first move, they can move two squares forward, but the successive moves can still only move one square forward.

3. What if a player forgets to say check?

Saying "check" is a courtesy, not a rule. There is no obligation to say check, certainly not in a non-tournament game, even though often a player will announce "check" mostly to the opponent. In tournament play it is the opponent's responsibility to pay attention to whether or not his king is in danger.

4. What is "castling long" and "castling short"?

It can be made on the king's side or on the queen's side. Making on the King's side is called "Castling short," when the figures advance toward the king by two squares. Making on the queen's side is "Castling long," when the figures advance toward the king by three squares.

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