In Chess, the checkered board is divided into two sides, known as the white and black sides, or sometimes referred to as the light and dark sides. Each player is assigned one side of the board and places their Chess Pieces on the squares closest to them. The Chess Pieces are divided into different types, and each player starts the game with sixteen pieces on their side.
One of the most important pieces in Chess is the King. Each player has one King, and the objective of the game is to protect your King while trying to capture your opponent’s King. The King is represented by a small figurine and has limited movement capabilities. It can move one square in any direction: horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
Another crucial piece is the Queen. Each player starts with one Queen, and it is considered the most powerful piece on the board. The Queen is represented by a taller figurine, usually with a crown, and can move in any direction as far as possible, horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. It is a versatile piece and plays a significant role in attacking and defending.
The Rooks are represented by tower-like pieces and are placed at the corners of the board. Each player starts with two Rooks. Rooks can move horizontally or vertically, as far as possible on the board, but cannot jump over other pieces. They are excellent for controlling open files and can be very powerful when used together.
The Bishops are represented by pieces with a pointed hat or a bishop’s mitre. Like the Rooks, each player starts with two Bishops. The Bishops can move diagonally, as far as possible on the board. They are limited to the color of the squares they start on, meaning one Bishop can only move on dark squares and the other on light squares. This distinction gives them unique movement patterns and strategic possibilities.
The Knights are represented by horse-like pieces and are often depicted in a rearing position. Each player starts with two Knights. The Knights are the only pieces that can jump over other pieces on the board. They move in an L-shape, consisting of one square in any direction and then two squares in a perpendicular direction. This makes their movement somewhat unpredictable and can be used for tactical maneuvers.
The Pawns are the most numerous pieces on the board, with eight Pawns for each player. They are represented by smaller, less detailed figurines. Pawns have the most limited movement capabilities. They can only move forward, one square at a time, except for their initial move when they can move two squares forward. Pawns capture diagonally and play a crucial role in controlling the center of the board and creating pawn structures.
A standard Chess game starts with each player having sixteen pieces on their side. These pieces include one King, one Queen, two Rooks, two Bishops, two Knights, and eight Pawns. Each piece has its own unique movement capabilities and strategic value. The objective of the game is to protect your own King while trying to capture your opponent’s King. The interplay between these different pieces creates the complexity and depth of the game of Chess.