Introduction
Chess is a strategic and intellectual game that has been played for centuries. It involves two players facing each other on a checkered board with 64 squares and 16 chess pieces each. The objective of the game is to checkmate the opponent´s king, meaning to put it in a position where it is in immediate danger of being captured and cannot escape. In order to play chess effectively, one must have a good understanding of its terms and definitions. In this beginnerâs guide, we will cover the most essential and commonly used chess terms to help you better understand the game.
1. The Chess Board and Pieces
The chess board consists of 64 squares, alternating in black and white. Each player has 8 pawns, 2 rooks, 2 knights, 2 bishops, 1 queen, and 1 king. Here are the definitions of each piece.
Pawns
The pawns are the smallest and most numerous pieces on the board. They are represented by a small upright piece with a round head. Pawns can only move forward, one square at a time, except for their first move where they have the option to move two squares. They capture other pieces diagonally and can be promoted to any other piece (except for a king) once they reach the opponent´s side of the board.
Rooks
Rooks are also known as castles and are represented by taller pieces with a flat head. They can move horizontally or vertically in a straight line for any number of squares. Rooks can be particularly useful in open positions as they have a far-reaching attack range.
Knights
Knights are represented by pieces that resemble a horse´s head. They are the only pieces on the board that can jump over other pieces. They move in an L-shaped pattern, two squares in one direction and then one square perpendicular to it. Knights are valuable pieces in tactical situations and can often be used to fork or pin multiple pieces at once.
Bishops
Bishops are represented by pieces with a slanted top. Each player has one bishop on a dark square and one on a light square, which means they can only move diagonally on their designated color. Bishops have a long-range attack and can be powerful when combined with open diagonals.
Queen
The queen is the most powerful piece on the board and is represented by a taller piece with a pointed head. The queen can move in any direction, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, for any number of squares. The queen´s versatility makes it crucial in both offense and defense strategies.
King
The king is the most valuable piece on the board and represents the player himself. It is also the only piece that cannot be captured. The king can only move one square in any direction, making it a relatively weak piece. However, the king also has the special move of castling, which will be discussed later in this guide.
2. Basic Moves and Actions
Now that we have covered the chess pieces, letâs dive into some basic moves and actions that you will encounter while playing the game.
Check
Check is a situation in which a king is under immediate threat of being captured. This gives the king limited mobility as it cannot move to a square that would put it in check. A check can be avoided by moving the king out of danger, capturing the threatening piece, or blocking its attack with another piece.
Checkmate
Checkmate is when a king is in check, and there is no possible move to remove the threat, resulting in a loss for the player in checkmate.
Capture
Capture is when one piece takes place of the opposing piece by moving to its square, removing it from the board. The capturing piece then occupies the captured piece´s square. Capturing is an essential aspect of chess and can often lead to a material advantage for the capturing player.
Mate in Two
Mate in Two is a tactic in which a player will make a move that puts the opponentâs king in check and also threatens a checkmate in the next move. This is often a winning move, and the opponent has no way to avoid defeat.
Castling
Castling is a move that involves the king and one of the rooks. It can only be done if neither piece has moved in the game and if there are no pieces in between them. The king then moves two squares towards the rook, and the rook moves to the square next to the king. Castling is a strategic move that can help the king find shelter behind its strong rook.
3. Special Moves and Situations
Besides the basic moves and actions, there are also some special moves and situations that can occur during a game of chess.
En Passant
En Passant, which means âin passing,â is a special pawn capture move. If a pawn moves two squares on its first move and lands next to an opposing pawn, the opposing pawn can capture it as if it had only moved one square. This can only be done in the first move, and if the pawn does not capture the opposing pawn, the option to do so is lost.
Promotion
Promotion occurs when a pawn reaches the opponent´s side of the board. The player can then promote the pawn to any other piece except for the king. This can be crucial in turning a game around, as it gives the player a more powerful piece.
Stalemate
Stalemate is a situation in which the player whose turn it is to move has no legal moves, but their king is not in check. This results in a draw, meaning neither player wins or loses. Stalemate is often the result of carelessness or a strategic move by a player trying to avoid defeat.
Draw
A draw can occur in various situations, such as stalemate, threefold repetition, and insufficient material on the board. It essentially means the game is a tie, and neither player wins or loses.
Resignation
Resignation happens when a player willingly gives up the game, admitting defeat. This can occur when the player sees no chance of winning or decides to not prolong the game any further.
Conclusion
In this guide, we have covered the most essential chess terms and definitions that every beginner should know. However, chess is a complex game, and there are many more advanced terms and strategies to discover. The best way to improve your chess skills is to practice and play with other players. So get out there and start playing! Who knows, maybe one day youâll become a grandmaster.