THE RULES OF CHESS

A guide for parents and teachers to play chess with students.

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Table of Contents
The Basics
Topic 1: The Game ...................................................................... 3
Topic 2: The Board ..................................................................... 3
Topic 3: The Pieces .................................................................... 4
Topic 4: The King ........................................................................ 5
Topic 5: The Rook ....................................................................... 6
Topic 6: The Bishop ................................................................... 7
Topic 7: The Queen .................................................................... 8
Topic 8: The Knight .................................................................... 9
Topic 9: The Pawns .................................................................. 10

Special Rules & Ending a Game

Topic 10: Pawn Promotion ...................................................... 11
Topic 11: Checkmate ................................................................ 12
Topic 12: Castling ..................................................................... 13
Topic 13: En Passant ................................................................. 14
Topic 14: Draws ......................................................................... 15

NOTE: Click here or on any of the topic headers to view

the "Rules of Chess" video series.

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 Topic 1: The Game
Chess is a game for two players. One
player controls the white pieces and the
other player controls the black pieces.
Traditionally, players start the game by
shaking hands with their opponent. White
always moves first and then players take
turns (white then black then white, etc). Turns consist of moving a
piece from one square to another square (as described in topics 4 - 9).
A player may capture an opponents piece by moving their piece to
the square the opponents piece occupies, in doing so, removing the
opponents piece and setting it on the side of the board. A player may
never capture their own piece. The goal of the game is to checkmate
an opponent's King (as explained in Topic 11).

Topic 2: The Board

The chess board is a checkered
board made up of eight vertical 8

columns, called files, and eight 7 d7

horizontal rows, called ranks. This 6

creates 64 squares, both light and 5 g5

dark. Every rank and file has a name. 4
The a - file, b - file, c - file, etc. The
1st rank, 2nd rank, etc. This gives 3 b3
every square a name listed by letter 2

and number (eg. b3, d7, g5, h1) Ref: 1

h1
[Figure 2.1]. The chessboard must be set A B C D E F G H

Figure 2.1
up so that both players have a white
square on their right hand corner.

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 Topic 3: The Pieces
There are six different types of chess
pieces: King, Queen, Rook, Bishop, 8

Knight, and Pawn. The chess set 7

contains pieces of two different 6

colors, one light and one dark, called 5

White and Black. The board is set 4

up as shown [Ref: Figure 3.1]. The white
pieces begin on the 1st and 2nd ranks 3

and the black pieces begin on the 2

7th and 8th ranks. The white Queen 1

begins on a light square and the A B C D E F G H

Figure 3.1
black queen begins on a dark square.

Each piece has a relative point value based on its mobility.

Understanding these point values allows a player to evaluate whether
exchanging pieces is a good or bad idea; however, point values have
no direct impact on the result of a game. See topic 11 for how to win
a chess game.

FUN ACTIVITY: 8

7
Ready, SETUP, Go!: Start with all pieces piled in
the middle of your chess board. Time yourself 6

to see how quickly you can correctly setup all 5

the pieces in their starting positions! Can you 4

do it in less than 30 seconds?
3

Bonus: The Chess4Life team was able to 2

setup the board in less than 14 seconds. Can 1

you beat our time? A B C D E F G H

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 Topic 4: The King
Since the object of the game is to checkmate the King, it is the most
important piece in the game of chess. The King moves one square
in any direction. The King captures in the same way that it moves
(moving the King one square to the square that the opponents pieces
occupies and then removing the opponents piece) [Ref: Figures 4.1 & 4.2].
The King may never move into or through danger and the King may
never be removed from the board. If a player makes a move that
leaves or puts their King in danger, this is an illegal move. It must be
taken back and a legal move must be played. The white King begins
the game on e1 and the black King begins the game on e8.

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

1 1

A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H

Figure 4.1 Figure 4.2

FUN ACTIVITY:
8
Capture the Pawns - King: Set up your chess
7
board as shown to the right and see if you can
use the King to capture all of the pawns in the 6

least number of moves possible. 5

4
BONUS: Great job! For an extra challenge,
repeat the previous exercise but this time make 3

sure that your King never steps into danger. 2

Can you find a way to accomplish this in just 1

18 moves? Note: This requires an understanding A B C D E F G H
of topic 9. Activity 4.1

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 Topic 5: The Rook
The Rook (sometimes incorrectly called a castle) moves up, down,
left, or right, 1 - 7 squares in any direction until the Rook reaches an
obstruction or captures a piece (the Rook cannot jump over pieces and
can only capture one piece per turn) [Ref: Figures 5.1 & 5.2]. The white Rooks
begin the game in the corners, a1 and h1. The black Rooks begin in the
corners, a8 and h8. The Rook has a piece value of 5 points.

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

1 1

A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H

Figure 5.1 Figure 5.2

FUN ACTIVITY:
8
Capture the Pawns - Rook: Set up your chess
board as shown to the right and see if you can 7

use the Rook to capture all of the pawns in the 6

least number of moves possible. 5

BONUS: Awesome! Now that youve figured out 4

how to capture all of the pawns, try again, but 3

this time make sure that the Rook never moves 2

into danger. Can you find a way to accomplish

1
this in just 12 moves? Note: This requires an A B C D E F G H
understanding of topic 9. Activity 5.1

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 Topic 6: The Bishop
The Bishop only moves diagonally. The Bishop may move 1-7 squares
in any diagonal direction [Ref: Figure 6.1]. The Bishop cannot jump over
pieces and can only capture one piece per turn [Ref: Figure 6.2]. Because
the Bishop moves diagonally, it may never move to a different color
other than the one it starts on. Each player has a light-squared Bishop
and a dark-squared Bishop. The white Bishops begin on c1 and f1.
The black Bishops begin on c8 and f8. The Bishop has a piece value
of 3 points.

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

1 1

A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H

Figure 6.1 Figure 6.2

FUN ACTIVITY:
8

Capture the Pawns - Bishop: Set up your 7

chess board as shown to the right and see if
you can use the Bishop to capture all of the 6

pawns in the least number of moves possible. 5

BONUS: Good job! For an extra challenge,

3
repeat the previous exercise but this time make
sure that your Bishop never steps into danger. 2

Can you find a way to accomplish this in just 1

11 moves? Note: This requires an understanding A B C D E F G H

of topic 9. Activity 6.1

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 Topic 7: The Queen
The Queen is the most powerful piece in the game of chess. The
Queen can move 1-7 squares in any direction, up, down, left, right, or
diagonal, until the Queen reaches an obstruction or captures a piece;
however, the Queen cannot jump over pieces and can only capture
one piece per turn [Ref: Figure 7.1 & 7.2]. The white Queen begins the game
on d1 and the black Queen on d8. The Queen has a piece value of 9
points.

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

1 1

A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H

Figure 7.1 Figure 7.2

FUN ACTIVITY:
8
Capture the Pawns - Queen: Set up your chess
board as shown to the right and see if you can 7

use the Queen to capture all of the pawns in 6

the least number of moves possible. 5

4
BONUS: Fantastic! For an extra challenge,
repeat the previous exercise but this time make 3

sure that your Queen never steps into danger. 2

Can you find a way to accomplish this in just 8 1

moves? Note: This requires an understanding of A B C D E F G H
topic 9. Activity 7.1

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 Topic 8: The Knight
The Knight moves in a direction described as an L. The Knight, from
a starting square, moves 2 squares, up, down, left, or right, and then
one square at a right angle, forming an L [Ref: Figure 8.1 & 8.2]. The Knight
is the only piece that may jump over other pieces but only captures the
piece of the square that he lands on (not the pieces he jumps over).
The white Knights begin the game on b1 and g1. The black Knights
begin on b8 and g8. The Knight has a piece value of 3 points (equal
to the Bishop). NOTE: EVERY move the Knight makes ALWAYS changes the color
of the square that it stands on.

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

1 1

A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H

Figure 8.1 Figure 8.2

FUN ACTIVITY:
8
Capture the Pawns - Knight: Set up your chess
7
board as shown to the right and see if you can
use the Knight to capture all of the pawns in 6

the least number of moves possible. 5

4
BONUS: Wonderful! For an extra challenge,
repeat the previous exercise, but this time 3

make sure that your Knight never steps into 2

danger. Can you find a way to accomplish 1

this in just 18 moves? Note: This requires an A B C D E F G H
understanding of topic 9. Activity 8.1

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 Topic 9: The Pawns
The Pawn moves directly forward [Ref: Figure 9.1], never backward or to
the side. Pawns move exactly one square forward; though each Pawn
may advance two squares forward the first time it is moved. Pawns
capture a piece that is one square diagonally forward [Ref: Figure 9.2].
Though Pawns normally cannot move diagonally, this is the only way
they capture. Pawns are the only piece that capture differently than
they move. The white Pawns begin on the 2nd rank and the black
Pawns begin on the 7th rank. The Pawn has a piece value of 1 point.

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

1 1

A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H

Figure 9.1 Figure 9.2

FUN ACTIVITY: 8

Pawn Game: Set up the chess 6

board like the diagram to the
5
right. With a partner, play a
game of chess using only Pawns 4

on the board. The first person 3

to get one of their Pawns to the 2

other side of the board is the
winner! 1

A B C D E F G H

Activity 9.1

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 Topic 10: Pawn Promotion
Pawns are the only piece in chess that may promote. Promotion
occurs when the Pawn reaches the opposite side of the board (1st rank
for black, 8th rank for white). In the same turn, the Pawn is removed
from the board and is replaced with an extra piece of the promoting
players choice [Ref: Figure 10.1 & 10.2], (Queen, Rook, Bishop, or Knight)
even if these pieces are already on the board. This concludes the
players turn.

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

1 1

A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H

Figure 10.1 Figure 10.2

FUN ACTIVITY: 8

Pawn Game - Part 2: Set up the chess board 6

like the diagram to the right. With a partner,
5
play a game of chess with only Pawns and
kings on the board. The goal of this game is 4

to get one of your Pawns to the other side of 3

the board and promote it! The winner is the 2

first person to promote a Pawn and capture
all of their opponent's Pawns. 1

A B C D E F G H

Activity 10.1

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 Topic 11: Checkmate
Checkmate immediately ends the game (the King is never removed
from the board) and players shake
hands to agree. Checkmate is 8
the goal of the game of chess.
7
Checkmate is when one player
puts the opponents King in danger 6

(called check) and the opponent 5

can do nothing with their King or 4

any other pieces to stop the King 3

from being in danger [Ref: Figure 11.1 &

2
11.2] (run away with the King, capture
the checking piece, or use another 1

piece to block.) [Ref: Figure 11.3]

A B C D E F G H

Figure 11.1

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

1 1

A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H

Figure 11.2 Figure 11.3

FUN ACTIVITY:

Make-a-Mate: Using the pieces designated as You have, set the pieces on
the board so that the Defending King is in Checkmate.

1 2 3 4
You Have
Defender (e8)

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 Topic 12: Castling
Castling is a special move to make the King safer. In one turn, the
King moves two squares towards one Rook and that Rook jumps over
the King, landing next to the King. [Ref: Figure 13.1 &13.2]

Rules for Castling:

1. The King cannot castle if either the King or the Rook
involved have already moved in that game.
2. There can be no pieces between the King and the Rook.
3. The King cannot castle while in check. [Ref: Figure 13.3]
4. The King cannot castle into or through check. [Ref: Figure 13.4]
5. The King can never un-castle.

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

1 1

A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H

Figure 13.1 Figure 13.2

CANNOT CASTLE CANNOT CASTLE

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

1 1

A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H

Figure 13.3 Figure 13.4

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 Topic 13: En Passant
En Passant is a special Pawn move. If a Pawn steps forward two
squares, landing adjacent to an opponents Pawn, the opponents
Pawn may capture as though it moved only one square. The En
Passant capture may only take place after a Pawn moves two squares
and only on the move immediately following. [Ref: Figures 12.1 & 12.2]

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

1 1

A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H

Figure 12.1 Figure 12.2

FUN ACTIVITY: 8

En Passant Challenge: Set up the chess 6

board like the diagram to the right. With 5

a partner, play a game of chess using only

4
Pawns on the board. This is a cooperative
game where the goal is to work with your 3

partner to see how many En Passant 2

captures you can do in one game. 1

A B C D E F G H

Activity 9.1

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 Topic 14: Draws
A Draw is when neither player wins or loses. There are several types of
draws in chess. Some common ways that a draw can occur are:

Stalemate
Stalemate occurs when a player has no
possible legal moves on their turn and
8

their King is not in check [Ref: Figure 14.1 & 7

14.2]. 6

Insufficient Material 4

Insufficient material occurs when 3

neither player has adequate pieces left 2

on the board to achieve a checkmate 1

[Ref: Figure 14.3 & 14.4].
A B C D E F G H

Figure 14.1
Offered Draw
A draw can be achieved by one player
offering a draw to his opponent. His 8

opponent can then choose to either 7

accept or decline the draw. 6

Threefold Repetition 4

A draw is achieved through Threefold 3

Repetition when the same position 2

occurs three times in a single game. 1

The repeated position does not need to A B C D E F G H

occur in succession. Figure 14.2

8 8

7 7

6 6

5 5

4 4

3 3

2 2

1 1

A B C D E F G H A B C D E F G H

Figure 14.3 Figure 14.4

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 ABOUT CHESS4LIFE

Chess4Life LLC was founded by National Master

Elliott Neff. Through his 20+ years of coaching
chess, Elliott recognized that many great skills are
developed beyond mastery of the game that are
essential for living a positive, productive, and
successful life. Through coaching private lessons
and the feedback he received from parents, that
Elliott knew he was called to devote his career towards teaching life skills
through chess.

Our mission is to make a positive impact on as many childrens lives as

possible through the game of chess; imparting life skills, character
qualities, and the importance of a core set of values.

The goal is that every student will develop the character that enables
them to become a healthy, happy, and effective adult. Through learning
the game of chess, many virtues are instilled that will help in everyday
decision making.

Why Life Skills Through Chess?

Chess is an intriguing, complex, and strategic game that requires

patience, sportsmanship, perseverance, and critical thinking.
These are just a few of the life skills that we can impart to
children, setting them up to be individuals who are happier, more
effective, and better adjusted to handle what life gives them.

Chess4Life LLC. Copyright 2016

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