Learn chess, step by step

Free interactive lessons for beginners and kids: see where every piece can go, then practise real patterns.

How the pieces move

  • The King moves one square in any direction. If it is attacked and cannot escape, that is checkmate.
  • The Queen moves any distance in a straight line or diagonally.
  • The Rook moves any distance up, down, left or right, and takes part in castling.
  • The Bishop moves diagonally and always stays on the same colour.
  • The Knight jumps in an L shape and is the only piece that can jump over others.
  • The Pawn moves forward one square (two on its first move), captures diagonally and promotes on the last rank.

Courses

First steps (free)

Your first winning ideas: forks and simple checkmates.

  • The knight fork
  • The ladder mate

Checkmate patterns (Premium)

Learn the classic mates every player should recognise.

  • Back-rank mate
  • Smothered mate
  • The queen's kiss

Opening principles (Premium)

Start every game with a plan.

  • Control the centre
  • Develop your pieces
  • Castle early

Endgame essentials (Premium)

Turn an advantage into a win.

  • Promote the pawn
  • The opposition

Start learning free