Chess Start Here
Optional beginner branch: take these six lessons in order, then hop into the regular Chess Learning Path whenever you're ready.
Learn the square names, the light-square-on-the-right rule, and where every piece belongs before the game starts.
Sliding pieces move in straight lines or diagonals, but they stop when a piece blocks the road.
Kings step one square, knights hop in an L-shape, and pawns march forward with their own special rules.
Most captures follow a piece's normal move pattern, while pawns are special because they move forward but capture diagonally forward; check means the king is under attack right now.
When a king is in check, you must fix it right away by moving the king, capturing the checker, or blocking the line if that works.
Castling has a few important safety rules, and not every game ends with checkmate — some endings are draws.