Lessons
Pick a track: start with the basics if you're brand new, or dive into the Citrinitas collection of openings, defenses, and checkmate patterns.
Brand new to chess? Start here. One piece at a time — learn exactly how it moves.
How the pieces move
Basics
♔ For White
How the Pawn Moves
Pawns march forward one square — or two on their very first move. They never move backward.
1 moves
Basics
♔ For White
How the Knight Moves
Knights jump in an L-shape: two squares one way, then one square sideways. They are the only piece that can jump over others.
1 moves
Basics
♔ For White
How the Bishop Moves
Bishops slide any number of squares along diagonals, and always stay on the color they started on.
1 moves
Basics
♔ For White
How the Rook Moves
Rooks slide any number of squares in straight lines — up, down, left, or right.
1 moves
Basics
♔ For White
How the Queen Moves
The queen is the most powerful piece: she moves any number of squares in a straight line or diagonally.
1 moves
Basics
♔ For White
How the King Moves
The king moves exactly one square in any direction. Keep him safe — losing the king ends the game.
1 moves
Basics
♔ For White
How to Capture Pieces
To capture, move your piece onto a square holding an enemy piece. The enemy piece comes off the board and yours takes its place.
1 moves
Basics
♔ For White
Piece Values
Pawn = 1, Knight = 3, Bishop = 3, Rook = 5, Queen = 9. The king is priceless — losing it ends the game.
1 moves
Basics
♔ For White
The Exchange Rate (Good Trades)
When trading pieces, capture with your cheapest attacker. Trading a rook (5) for a knight (3) loses 'the exchange' — losing material.
1 moves
Basics
♔ For White
How to Win — Checkmate
You win by delivering checkmate: attacking the enemy king with no legal way to escape. No captures, no blocks, no running.
1 moves