Chess

Setting up the Game Board

Chess pieces have specific squares on the board that they start on. One side has black pieces and the other side has white.
In the back row from the outside corners in:

The Rooks/Castles are placed in the back left and right corners of the board.
Inwards of the Rooks/Castles are the Knights.
Inwards of the Knights are the Bishops.
The Queen goes on the remaining space of the matching colour.
The King goes in the last remaining space.
The pawns are placed on the second row from the back.

Moving each Piece

Chess players take turns moving a single piece on the board. Each piece can move in specific ways. None of the pieces are able to ‘jump’ other pieces, except for the Knight.

The Queen is the most powerful piece on the board and can move any number of squares in a straight line in any direction.
The two rooks are able to move vertically or horizontally over any number of spaces.
The bishops’ start with one occupying a light square and one on a dark square. They only move diagonally, so they always stay on the same color that they began on.
The knight moves in an L-shaped path across the board. The knight moves either two squares in one direction and then one square in another direction or one square in one direction and then two squares in another direction. The knight is also the only piece that can jump over other pieces as it moves.
The pawns can only move forward. On the first move, they can move one or two spaces, but after that, they can only move one space per turn. However, a pawn can only capture diagonally; it can only take a piece that's diagonally in front of it.
The king is able to move a one square in any direction. However, it can't move next to the other player's king. It also can't capture the other king, although it can capture any other piece on the board. When a king is forced into a position where it can't escape being captured, the other player wins the game.

Special Chess Moves

Although there are specific rules for how each piece on the chessboard can move, there are exceptions. These special chess moves allow the pieces to move in ways that are typically against the rules of the game.

Castling

Usually, only one piece can be moved during each turn. However, if a king and a rook haven't been moved yet, they can be moved together in a move called castling. The king moves two squares sideways, and the rook in that direction moves around to the king's other side.

En passant

If the other player moves their pawn two squares on the pawn's first move and it lands next to their opponent's pawn, their opponent can capture the pawn. However, this can only happen on the opponent's next move. This move is known as 'en passant' (in passing).

How to Begin a Game

The first, or opening, moves are important because players want to establish control of the board early. Getting control of the center of the board is crucial for many strategies.

Move pawns minimally at the beginning. Freeing other pieces so they can move around the board is more important.
Players try to avoid moving the same piece twice during their first few moves.
Many players begin by moving a pawn in front of the queen or king. This move frees up a bishop to move easily.

How a Chess Game Ends

Chess games can end in one of three ways. One player can quit, both players can agree that the game is at a stalemate and neither can win, or it can end with a checkmate.

When the king is into a position where it could be captured, this is called being in check. When a player can't move their king out of check in any direction, this is called a checkmate; the other player wins the game.
Experienced players often resign, or quit, when they're playing a game they know is hopeless. However, beginner players should play a game all the way through for the experience.
Stalemates, or draws, happen when both players have lost so many pieces they can't checkmate each other or when each player is trapped without a legal move.