Setting Up the Chessboard the Right Way
Light square on the right, queen on her own color, and where every piece goes.
Read the guide →Chess Basics
Setting up the board correctly
A game can’t start right if the board is wrong.
Which Way Do the King and Queen Go?
A simple memory trick so you never set the board up backwards again.
Read the guide →More in Chess Basics
← All Chess Basics
How each piece moves
Special moves: castling, en passant, promotion
Check, checkmate, and stalemate explained
Reading and writing chess notation
The value of the pieces
Rules, draws, and how a game ends
The three phases: opening, middlegame, endgame
Basic etiquette and how to play online
Common beginner mistakes to avoid