How Much Is Each Chess Piece Worth?
The point values and what they mean when you're deciding whether to trade.
Read the guide →Every topic
Guides
Browse every guide on Pawn & Plan — practical, plain-English lessons for players from complete beginner to 1200.
Start here
Browse by category
Pick a pillar to see its topics, or scroll down for the latest guides.
Category
→
Chess Basics
Everything a brand-new player needs — the pieces, the rules, and the habits that make chess click.
Category →Openings & Strategy
Start your games well and know what to do next, from opening moves to middlegame plans.
Category →Tactics & Endgames
Win material and finish games with the patterns and technique behind most beginner wins.
Latest
All guides
How to Write Down Your Moves
Record your games so you can review them and improve later.
Read the guide →How to Read Chess Notation
Files, ranks, and piece letters so you can follow any game or lesson.
Read the guide →How to Get Out of Check
The only three legal responses when your king is under attack.
Read the guide →Check vs Checkmate vs Stalemate
The three situations beginners mix up the most, finally made clear.
Read the guide →Pawn Promotion: Turning a Pawn Into a Queen
Reach the far side and upgrade your pawn; here's exactly how it works.
Read the guide →En Passant Explained Simply
The pawn capture that surprises every beginner, with clear examples.
Read the guide →Castling: How and When to Do It
The rules for castling kingside and queenside, and the times you can't.
Read the guide →Which Way Do the King and Queen Go?
A simple memory trick so you never set the board up backwards again.
Read the guide →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 →