How to play chess: rules, history and beginner tips
Also known as: شطرنج, Shatranj, Chatrang
Learn chess from the start: how each piece moves, check and checkmate, castling and en passant, plus the Persian story of chess from chatrang to shah mat.
- Type
- Board game
- Players
- 2
- Age
- Ages 6+
- Play time
- 10–120 min
- Origin
- India, developed in Persia and the wider world
Chess is a two-player strategy game played on a board of sixty-four squares, and it is one of the most studied games in the world. Its earliest known ancestor is the Indian game chaturanga. The game then reached Persia, where it was known as chatrang during the Sasanian era, and after the Arab conquest it became shatranj, the form that spread across the Islamic world and into Europe. Persian left lasting marks on the game: the word "checkmate" comes from the Persian "shah mat", often explained as "the king is helpless", and the rook takes its name from the Persian "rukh". Over centuries the queen and bishop gained their modern long moves. Today, chess is played by millions, in clubs, schools and online, at every level from beginner to world champion.
Our verdict
Chess rewards clear thinking, patience and planning, and every game is different. Beginners improve quickly by learning a few principles, while masters still discover new ideas. It is used in many schools to develop concentration and problem solving. It can be enjoyed over the board with a friend, at a club, or online against people from every country. For Iranians, it also carries a proud cultural memory, since Persian names and stories are written into its history.
What works
- No luck: every result comes from decisions
- Endless depth for a lifetime of study
- Played and understood in every country
What does not
- Can be slow and demanding for casual players
- Beginners may lose many games before it feels rewarding
How to play Chess
Each player starts with sixteen pieces: a king, a queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights and eight pawns. White moves first, and players then alternate. The king moves one square in any direction. The queen moves any distance in a straight line or diagonal. Rooks move straight, bishops move diagonally, and knights jump in an L shape, two squares one way and one square to the side. Pawns move forward one square, or two on their first move, and capture diagonally; a pawn reaching the far side is promoted, usually to a queen. Pieces capture by moving onto an enemy piece's square. When a king is attacked, it is in check and the player must remove the threat. If there is no way to do this, it is checkmate and the game is over. Special moves include castling, where king and rook move together, and en passant, a special pawn capture. Games can also end in a draw.
Tips for new players
- Control the centre of the board with pawns and pieces early in the game.
- Develop knights and bishops before moving the queen out.
- Castle early to keep your king safe.
- Before every move, ask what your opponent's last move is threatening.
Good for
Chess: common questions
Where did chess come from?
Its earliest known ancestor is chaturanga from India. It developed in Persia as chatrang and shatranj before spreading to the Arab world and Europe.
What does checkmate mean?
Checkmate comes from the Persian "shah mat". It means the king is attacked and has no legal way to escape.
At what age can children learn chess?
Many children learn the moves from around five or six years old, especially with short lessons and simple practice games.
Chess belongs to its owners. Playdonya is not connected to them and does not sell this game; the cover is our own illustration.
