How to Play Chess
Checkmate the King
Chess is the classic strategy board game where every move matters.
Learn how to play chess with a free online chess game. Study chess rules like castling, en passant, and pawn promotion while you battle a smart AI opponent on the 8x8 board.
Desktop
Click a piece to reveal legal moves, then click a highlighted square to move.
Mobile
Tap a piece, then tap the destination square to make your move.
Turn Order
You play as White and move first. The computer responds as Black after each move.
Objective & Win Conditions
The goal is checkmate: place the enemy king in check with no legal escape. Protect your own king at all times.
- Check is an attack on the king; respond by moving, capturing, or blocking.
- Stalemate happens when a player has no legal moves and is not in check (draw).
- The king cannot move into check or stay in check.
Piece Moves & Special Rules
King
Moves 1 square in any direction, never into check.
Queen
Moves any number of squares in any direction.
Rook
Moves any number of squares horizontally or vertically.
Bishop
Moves diagonally any distance.
Knight
Moves in an L shape and can jump over pieces.
Pawn
Moves forward 1 (or 2 from start), captures diagonally.
Special Rules
- Castling moves the king two squares and tucks the rook to safety.
- En passant captures a pawn that just advanced two squares.
- Pawns auto-promote to a queen on the last rank.
Chess Strategy Tips
- Control the center to unlock more active moves and attacks.
- Develop knights and bishops early before repeating moves.
- Castle to keep your king safe and connect your rooks.
- Look for chess tactics like forks, pins, and skewers.
- Trade pieces when ahead to simplify the endgame.
Difficulty & Practice
Start on Easy to learn chess rules, then step up to stronger AI opponents for sharper tactics and endgame practice.
Easy
Beginner friendly and perfect for learning piece moves.
Normal
Balanced play that punishes basic mistakes.
Hard
Tougher defense with deeper tactics.
