101 Questions on How to Play Chess – Beginner Guide

Chess is one of the most popular strategy games there is, in the world. Be you a total beginner, or someone who wants to level up and improve your knowledge, learning the basics the right way really matters. Below are the first ten essential questions and answers, that kinda walk you through the foundations of chess in a simple and easy to understand manner, so you can start right.

1. What is the object of the game of chess?

The object of the game of chess is to checkmate your opponent's King. Checkmate occurs when either player's King is attacked and cannot escape being captured on the very next move. (In practice, the game ends without the capture actually taking place. It is enough to see that the King cannot escape.)

2. How many players take part in a game of chess?

Chess is played by two opponents. One has the White pieces, the other the Black pieces.

3. What kind of board is used?

The chessboard (which is basically the same as the one used for checkers) is made up of 64 squares, alternately colored light and dark. It contains eight vertical rows (files) of eight squares each, and eight horizontal rows (ranks) of eight squares each. The squares are also often referred to as either White or Black squares (but they don't actually have to be black and white just dark and light). All the squares can be used in play.

4. Is there a special way the board should be placed?

The players sit facing each other and the board must be placed so that a White square is in the lower right-hand corner. If this is done from the viewpoint of one player, the board as seen by the opposite player will automatically be correct as well.

5. How do you tell which player should start the game?

White always makes the first move. The players then move alternately. A player is never allowed to make two moves in a row. (There is actually a case where a player may move two pieces in quick succession, but this is considered a single move; see Question 47, below, on "castling.")

6. How do you tell which player gets White?

This is important because the player who moves first has a slight advantage. The most common method of choosing colors is for one player to conceal a White Pawn in one hand and a Black Pawn in the other hand.

His opponent taps a fist and takes the color indicated by the Pawn in that hand. If more than one game is played, the players usually take turns using the White pieces.

7. How many pieces does each player have at the beginning of the game, and what are they called?

Each player has 16 pieces (there are 32 altogether).

  • 1 King

  • 1 Queen

  • 2 Rooks

  • 2 Bishops

  • 2 Knights

  • 8 Pawns

The initial or opening position of the pieces is shown on page 1. If you are unfamiliar with the way to set up the board, study it carefully. This is the only correct way to set up the pieces to start a game.

Inexperienced players often transpose the initial positions of the King and Queen. A simple way to avoid this is to remember "Queen on her color." Black's Queen always starts the game on a dark square and White's Queen must begin on a light square.

Throughout this book illustrations will be used to illustrate how the pieces move, basic strategy and tactics. At the beginning of each game, White is always moving up, while Black is moving down.

8. Are there any special "tips" that can make it easier for me to learn how to play chess when using this book?

The following points are very important:

  • Use a real chess set and board when studying how the pieces move and capture, and the other standard maneuvers illustrated in this book. By practicing with real chess pieces you will more quickly get a "feel" for their varied powers.

  • Use a traditional chess set, made in the so-called "Staunton pattern." This is easy to identify because the pieces closely compare with the corresponding symbols used in the illustrations. This type of set is universally recognized as the easiest to play with and learn on.

  • If you study these questions and answers carefully, you will find that the basic moves of chess are not difficult to learn. Still, there are some more difficult concepts that you need to master to become a really good player. To understand these concepts, you should try to get some reinforcement from a strong amateur player (or chess teacher). On this level, it is tough to "go it" completely alone.

  • Learn to use algebraic chess notation as soon as possible! Being able to "read" chess moves will greatly facilitate your progress.

9. What is chess notation?

Chess notation is a way of recording (i.e. writing down) individual chess moves in a very abbreviated and easy-to-understand manner. The two major forms of chess notation are called algebraic and descriptive. Algebraic is now by far the most popular and universally recognized, and it is the notation you will be using with this book.

Descriptive was the standard notation used in English and American chess books and periodicals until about 1980. Later on, you will be introduced to descriptive notation so you may be able to enjoy the older English-language classics of chess literature.

10. What is "algebraic" chess notation?

In algebraic chess notation each square has only one name. (If you are already familiar with descriptive notation, it is important to remember this distinction.)

Look at the vertical row of numbers on the left side, and the horizontal row of letters underneath. These are called coordinates. The numbers designate the ranks (horizontal rows of squares) while the letters designate the files (vertical rows of squares).