Chess
Chess is a timeless two-player strategy game where you command an army of 16 pieces, each with unique movement abilities, to capture your opponent's king. No luck involved—every victory comes from outthinking your opponent through tactics and planning.
What You'll Do
What You Need
Required
- ●Chess set (board and pieces)($15-30)
Optional
- ○Free online platform (Chess.com or Lichess)($0)
- ○Chess clock($15-25)
How To Do It
- 1
Set up the board
Place the board so each player has a white square in their bottom-right corner. Arrange pieces on the back row: rooks in corners, then knights, then bishops. The queen goes on her color (white queen on white, black queen on black), king beside her. Fill the second row with pawns.
- 2
Learn how pieces move
Each piece moves differently. Master these before playing.
- 3
Understand check and checkmate
When your king is under attack, you're in and must escape. If there's no legal escape, that's —game over. The goal is to your opponent before they you.
- 4
Learn the three special moves
lets your king and rook switch positions for safety. is a special pawn capture. turns a pawn reaching the opposite end into a queen or other piece. These will come up in games, so know they exist.
- 5
Play your first game
Find an opponent (friend, family, or online bot) and play a full game. Don't worry about winning—focus on moving pieces legally and getting to . Play slowly and think about each move.
- 6
Review and learn
After each game, think about where you went wrong. Did you leave pieces undefended? Did you see your opponent's threats? Chess improves through analyzing mistakes, not just playing more games.
Tips
- →Common mistake: Moving the queen out early seems powerful but usually backfires. Develop your knights and bishops first, castle your king to safety, then bring the queen into the game.
- →Before making any move, ask yourself: What is my opponent threatening? Look at every piece they can move and what squares they attack.
- →Control the center of the board (d4, d5, e4, e5 squares). Pieces in the center can reach more squares and have more power.
- →Castle within the first 10 moves. This protects your king behind a wall of pawns and connects your rooks.
- →Play longer time controls as a beginner. 10-minute games let you think through moves instead of rushing into blunders.
Communities
Resources
- GothamChess YouTube Channel
Entertaining and educational chess content from IM Levy Rozman, perfect for beginners through intermediate players.
- ChessKid YouTube Channel
Kid-friendly chess tutorials with clear animations explaining piece movements and basic strategy.
- Instructables Chess Guide
Step-by-step illustrated guide covering board setup, piece movements, and basic strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to learn chess?
You can learn the rules and play your first game in under an hour. Reaching a level where you win consistently against other beginners takes 20-50 hours of practice and study.
How much does it cost to start playing chess?
Free if you play online (Chess.com and Lichess are both excellent). A basic physical set costs $15-30. You don't need a chess clock or other equipment as a beginner.
What's the most common mistake beginners make?
Not looking at what your opponent is threatening. Before every move, scan the board for pieces your opponent can capture or squares they attack. Most beginner losses come from hanging (leaving undefended) pieces.
Should I play online or with a physical board?
Both are valuable. Online play offers unlimited opponents and game analysis tools. Physical boards help you visualize positions better and make chess social. Start with whichever is more convenient.
Do I need to memorize openings as a beginner?
No. Focus on three principles: control the center, develop your pieces, and castle early. Memorizing opening lines before understanding why moves are good will hurt more than help.