Introduction
Chess is a timeless strategy game that has been played for centuries, and with the advent of the internet, it has found a vibrant home online. Online chess allows players from around the world to compete, practice, and enjoy the game without needing a physical board or an in-person opponent.
How to play
Setup
- The chessboard is placed so that each player has a white square in the bottom-right corner.
- The pieces are arranged as follows (from left to right on the second rank for White, and seventh rank for Black):
- White: Rook, Knight, Bishop, Queen, King, Bishop, Knight, Rook (Queen on her color: white square for White, black square for Black).
- Black mirrors White on the opposite side.
- Pawns fill the row in front of the other pieces (second rank for White, seventh rank for Black).
- White always moves first.
Piece Movements
- King: One square in any direction (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally).
- Queen: Any number of squares in any direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal).
- Rook: Any number of squares horizontally or vertically.
- Bishop: Any number of squares diagonally.
- Knight: Moves in an “L” shape: two squares in one direction and then one perpendicular, or one square and then two perpendicular. It’s the only piece that can “jump” over others.
- Pawn: Moves forward one square (or two squares from its starting position on its first move). Captures diagonally one square forward. Pawns can be promoted to a queen, rook, bishop, or knight if they reach the opponent’s back rank.
