 moves in all directions one square at a time.
➡ The 

is also able to move in all directions, but as many squares as it wants.
➡ The 

can only move vertically and horizontally, as many squares as it wants.
➡ The 

only moves diagonally - as many squares as you want.
➡ The 

moves like an L and can “jump” over other pieces.
➡ The 

captures diagonally and moves vertically, one square at a time, with the possibility of moving two squares at once on its first move.

comprehensive guide to show you how to move each piece 

so you can start playing your first game right away.

🔵 The chessboard.
🔵 Chess notation.
🔵 The value of the pieces.
🔵 And some basic chess strategies to win your first games!

Without further ado, let’s get cracking!

Introducing the Chess Pieces and their Names

Two players—one White and the other Black—play chess on a board with 64 squares.

Each side starts the game with 16 pieces each.

✅ 1 King.
✅ 1 Queen.
✅ 2 Rooks.
✅ 2 Bishops.
✅ 2 Knights.
✅ 8 Pawns.

In order to win at chess, your only goal must be to 

In order to do this, you need to create chess strategies that allow you to 

attack your opponent and corner their King 

so that it is impossible for it to escape.

More on checkmate will be discussed below, but for now, let's learn how chess pieces move, using examples.

 and tactics, you need to understand how chess pieces move.

The King can move in any direction, but only one square at a time.

In comparison to the Queen, Rooks, Bishops, and Knights, it is a 

because it has very little board mobility.

The way the King can capture an enemy piece is also in any direction.

The King is the only chess piece that cannot capture an enemy piece that is protected by another enemy piece

This is because the King can never be in a situation where the opponent has the opportunity to capture your King and vice versa.

In case that happens in any of your games, you should know that it's an illegal move.

The Queen is by far the most powerful piece in chess

it can move in any direction, as many squares as you like

The way the Queen moves allows it to go from one corner of the chessboard to the other in only one move.

So the Queen can be used to attack one side of the board and defend at the same time the opposite side.

This is true for the Rook and the Bishop too (see below), but 

none of them can cover as much ground as the Queen does

Like the Queen and the Rook, the Bishop can move an unlimited number of squares, but it can only move diagonally.

This is probably the hardest chess piece move to learn.

The Knight moves in an L - two squares in a straight line and one to the side.

The Knight is the only piece in the game of chess that can 

The Pawns have many possible moves in chess.

.
♟ Then, if they do not capture any piece, they only move in a straight line.

♟ If they are going to capture a piece, they only do it diagonally.

♟ If it’s the first time a given Pawn will be moved, the player has the chance to move it one or two squares, but that’s the only time this is possible. 

♟ Finally, if your pawn is on the 5th rank and an enemy pawn moves two squares up, landing on the square next to your pawn, you can capture your opponent’s pawn diagonally towards the sixth rank. This is a very special move called 

We already know that the King is the most important piece in chess.

So, what can we do in order to further protect our monarch?

One of the best ways to create a shelter for your King on the board is called castling

This is a special chess move in which the King and the Rook switch places, although not exactly. See the diagram below.

The short castling in the example above depicts how the King moves from square e1 to square g1 and the Rook moves from square h1 to square f1 in a single turn.

After castling has taken place, it cannot be done again for the rest of the game.

Also, if the King has moved, the player loses the right to castle for the rest of the game.

Finally, here's an example of long castling.

Now that we know how chess pieces move, let’s go over some of the basic rules of chess.

 - The King cannot be captured. Capturing the King is an illegal move. You can only deliver checkmate (see below for a further explanation of what checkmate is).

 - If the King is in check, it has to escape from that situation in the next move.


- Pieces can’t jump over each other. The only exception to this rule is the Knight, which moves in an L-shape and can jump over the other pieces.


- The only way to occupy a square with an enemy piece on it is to capture that piece.


- Players can agree to a draw, which means that the game ends in a tie.


Checkmate is declared when the King is unable to escape from check on its own or with the assistance of other pieces.

Below you will see a couple of examples of different checkmates.

This is one of the most controversial topics in chess.

Each chess piece is assigned a specific numeric value.

☑ Queen - 9 points
☑ Rook - 5 points
☑ Bishop - 3.5 points
☑ Knight - 3 points
☑ Pawn - 1 point

The King is not included on this list because it is necessary for the game to proceed.

However, the value of the pieces is relative.

This means that depending on the position we have on the board, a piece can increase or decrease its value.

Are you new to chess and want to learn how chess pieces move to start playing? You landed in the right place! We have put together a full guide to teach you the movements of each piece so you can play your first game right away. And if you already play, send this article to someone who is learning the basics of chess!

How Chess Pieces Move - Ultimate Guide

Choose the right move! | Carlsen vs Nepomniachtchi

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Leg 4 of the MPL Indian Chess Tour features 16 Indian chess players competing in a round-robin where they play each other once on chess24 over 15 rounds of 15-minute, 10-second increment rapid chess.

At stake is $150 for a win in each game ($50 for a draw), while the winner will qualify for a stage of the $1.6 million Meltwater Champions Chess Tour. The winner also makes it through to the 8-player knockout final of the MPL Indian Chess Tour, where the top prize is $10,000.

 from Leg 3 — the final will feature the top four players in the overall tour standings.

, though as Aravindh won an event, 4th place for qualification is currently shared between 

Both those players are in action in Leg 4, with Leg 3 winner S.L. Narayanan the top seed.

We’ve got live commentary on all the rounds from GM 

Watch all the MPL Indian Chess Tour Leg 4 action here on chess24 from 15:30 IST (6am ET, 12:00 CEST)!

The 4th and final leg of the $100,000 MPL Indian Chess Tour starts today, with 16 players competing for a place in the $25,000 knockout final and also a spot on the Meltwater Champions Chess Tour.

MPL Indian Chess Tour — last chance to reach the final!

FIDE confirms they will launch an investigation into Magnus Carlsen and Hans Niemann after the scandal that has dominated the chess world and gathered worldwide attention in recent weeks.

Klaus Deventer, a member of FIDE's Fair Play Commission (FPL) told the site:

"Are there enough facts to justify an allegation of cheating? If we conclude that this is the case, we would bring appropriate charges with the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Committee. However, we would also investigate whether a false accusation has been made."

, will form a panel of three members having the possibility to call for a consultation with external experts wherever analysis is required. The members of the panel are expected to be finalized in a matter of days.

The focus of the investigation would be twofold: checking Magnus Carlsen's claim of alleged cheating by Hans Niemann and the latter's own statement regarding online cheating, FIDE says.

The chairperson of FPL, Salomeja Zaksaite, says they are "ready to examine the circumstances, compile and analyze all the data and evidence available, and ascertain the facts and allegations that have been made public." 

"In the best interest of the chess community, we would kindly ask the public to refrain from speculations on the outcomes and potential sanctions until all available facts are well considered, and a proper investigation is finalized," Zaksaite said.

The investigation comes three days after Carlsen 

published a statement where he, for the first time, revealed his reasons

 for withdrawing from the Sinquefield Cup, and then his shock resignation against 19-year-old Hans Niemann after only two moves.

What became clear, is that the World Champion suspects cheating.

"I believe that Niemann has cheated more - and more recently - than he has publicly admitted," he said.

received both support among top grandmasters and faced massive criticism

Norwegian FIDE Vice President Jøran Aulin-Jansson was unaware of the investigation 

"An investigation is an advantage for all parties, both for Magnus and Niemann. I'd guess the commission feels pressure to make a decision in the case," he says.

"I am very curious about the competence of the members of the commission. Also I don't know who they are," 

. "This is exciting legal territory. I don't envy the commission."

The FIDE Council's next meeting is October 7, when the Carlsen/Niemann scandal is likely to be discussed.

Both Carlsen and Niemann could face suspensions: Carlsen for making allegations without evidence, and Niemann if there is sufficient evidence of cheating.

FIDE previously criticized the World Champion

 in a carefully worded statement suggesting, "there were better ways to handle this situation". 

However, there was no mention of any sanctions and FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich ended the statement by saying the controversy could have "a long-term positive effect, if tackled properly".

Hans Niemann is yet to respond to Carlsen's last statement. He is confirmed for the US Chess Championship that begins October 4th.

Magnus Carlsen watching Hans Niemann's game against Levon Aronian | photo: Crystal Fuller, Grand Chess Tour

FIDE to launch investigation into Carlsen and Niemann

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Improving the position is all about the details | Praggnanandhaa vs Shankland

Learn the secrets of the World Chess Champion 

. Best of all, you can get them for free on Chessable. 

This is Magnus Carlsen's first major chess course!

“This is by far the most comprehensive collection of my own games' analysis I've done. I learned a lot from this, and I hope you will too!”

Get access to this course and take advantage of the MoveTrainer® technology!

Magnus is joined by GM Nielsen, IM Sielecki, and the course is co-presented by IM John Bartholomew.

In this course, Magnus Carlsen will show you the art of converting the tiniest of advantages - and even equal endgames - into mind-blowing WINS!

The World Champion's coach GM Peter Heine Nielsen and IM Christof "ChessExplained" Sielecki also lent their analytical expertise in designing this course, by handpicking 158 training positions that are complementary to the games and chosen for additional instructional value, all trainable with Chessable's MoveTrainer®.