Chess Pieces Names and Values: A Beginner´s Guide
Introduction
Chess is a strategy game that has been played for centuries and is still enjoyed by people of all ages today. It is a game of skill, planning, and foresight, and the pieces used in the game each have their own unique names, movements, and values. The game is played on a checkered board with alternating light and dark squares, and each player starts with 16 pieces: 1 king, 1 queen, 2 knights, 2 bishops, 2 rooks, and 8 pawns. In this beginner´s guide, we will take a closer look at the names and values of each chess piece, as well as their movements on the board.
The King
The King is the most important piece in the game of chess. It is the piece that a player must protect at all costs, and if it is captured, the game is over. The King is represented by a tall piece with a cross on top, and it can move one square in any direction – up, down, left, right, or diagonally. This makes it the weakest piece on the board, but its strategic value is immeasurable.
The King´s value is infinite, as its capture results in an automatic checkmate and the end of the game. However, its offensive capabilities are limited due to its limited movement. Therefore, it is important to keep the King protected at all times and use it wisely in the later stages of the game.
The Queen
The Queen is the most powerful piece on the board, and is represented by a tall piece with a pointed crown on top. It can move in any direction – up, down, left, right, or diagonally – and any number of squares as long as there are no pieces blocking its path. This makes the Queen a very versatile and valuable piece in the game of chess.
The Queen´s value is 9 points, which is the highest value among all the pieces. This is because of its ability to move anywhere on the board and attack multiple pieces at once. The Queen is a key piece in both offensive and defensive strategies, and losing it can greatly weaken a player´s position on the board.
The Knights
The Knights are unique pieces in the game of chess, represented by horse-shaped figures. They have the only piece that can “jump” over other pieces on the board. The Knights have an L-shaped movement, moving two squares in one direction and then one square to the side. They are the only pieces that can change direction in the middle of their move.
The Knights have a value of 3 points each. They are considered to be important pieces in the opening and middle stages of the game, as their movement allows them to control important squares on the board and attack the opponent´s pieces. However, they can become trapped in the corners of the board in the endgame, making them less valuable in the later stages of the game.
The Bishops
The Bishops are represented by tall, pointed pieces and come in two colors – one for the light squares and one for the dark squares. They can move diagonally any number of squares, as long as there are no pieces blocking their path. The Bishops are considered to be long-range pieces, as their movement is not limited to a certain number of squares.
The Bishops have a value of 3 points each, the same as the Knights. They are considered to be important pieces in the opening and middle stages of the game, as their movement allows them to control the center of the board and attack the opponent´s pieces. However, they can become restricted in the later stages of the game if there are too many pieces on the board, limiting their movement and making them less valuable.
