| A chess set consists of 32 pieces: 16 white and 16 | | | | squares. It is the most powerful piece on the board, |
| black, representing two sides of a chess battle. To | | | | capable of capturing and positioning from most any |
| understand how to play chess and develop strategy, | | | | vantage point. |
| it's imperative to know how each piece moves. This | | | | Bishop: Moves diagonally for any number of squares, |
| very simple knowledge is necessary to truly grasp the | | | | yet is limited to one color. It is sensitive to pawn |
| power of each chess piece and in the course of a | | | | movement. |
| match, make the most of that individual piece's power. | | | | Knight: Moves two squares vertically or horizontally, |
| The Pivotal 16 | | | | then one square to the side. Its unique movement |
| Each player begins the game with 16 chessmen: 1 king, | | | | often factors into strategy. |
| 1 queen, 2 bishops, 2 knights, 2 rooks, and 8 pawns. To | | | | Rook: Moves by rank or file for any number of |
| properly position the pieces on a chess board, start | | | | squares. Starting in the corners, the rook - along with |
| with the rooks and move inward. The two rooks are | | | | the queen - are major pieces on the chess board, |
| placed on the lower corner squares. Next to them go | | | | capable of altering space and an opponent's plan of |
| the knights, followed by the bishops. | | | | attack. |
| The queen is next. As a rule of thumb, this piece | | | | Pawn: Moves only one square at a time and only |
| always matches its color. Thus, the black queen will be | | | | forward. However, on the opening move, it can |
| on the remaining black square. The white queen, the | | | | choose between two squares or one. A seemingly |
| white square. Lastly, the king sits in the final square of | | | | weak piece, a pawn can also be promoted if it safely |
| the row. The pawns are placed on the second row in | | | | reaches the end of the board. If it succeeds, a pawn |
| front of the king's "court." | | | | can be exchanged for any other chess piece, except |
| The pieces of a chess set collectively reflect a | | | | the king. Most often, a pawn gets promoted to queen. |
| player's power. What he does with this potential | | | | What's My Move? |
| power is what ultimately determines who wins the | | | | It may seem overwhelming to understand all this at |
| game. The overall objective is to keep the king safe. | | | | once, but in order to truly grasp the potential of your |
| To do so, a player must utilize each chess piece to its | | | | chess pieces, it's important you first understand what |
| maximum strength. In short, chess pieces are capable | | | | each individual piece is capable of. For instance, feeling |
| of the following moves: | | | | despaired that you're left with only pawns? Don't |
| King: Moves only one square at a time, but in any | | | | forget about pawn promotion. Feeling like your king is |
| direction. It's the most important piece on a chess | | | | being threatened? Consider castling him. By |
| board. If/when captured, the game is over. The king's | | | | understanding your pieces' potential, a chess board can |
| special move is called castling; it is the only time two | | | | truly open up with possibilities. You just need to |
| pieces can move at once (king and rook). | | | | recognize them first. |
| Queen: Moves in any direction for any number of | | | | |