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How to Play Chess

The rules of chess

By Mark Weeks, About.com

First learn how the pieces move - How to set up a chess board, move the pieces, capture, and castle. Then learn the goal of a game - How to recognize check, checkmate, and stalemate.

Here is a simple description of how to play chess. Chess by the rules. 'A moment to learn; a lifetime to master.'

1. Two Players with Armies of 16 Pieces

Chess #57 by GinaMarie'Chess #57' by GinaMarie ™
Chess is a board game played by two opponents called White and Black. The chess pieces are symbolic of a medieval army and the goal is to capture the opponent's King.

2. How to Set Up a Chess Board

Chess rules start with setting up the board. White on right. Queen on her color. With diagrams.

3. Guide to the Six Chess Pieces

The Rules of How the Chess Pieces Move -- Pawn, Knight, Rook, Bishop, Queen, and King.

4. How to Castle

The rules for castling. With this one move, you get your King into safety and activate one Rook for further play.

5. How to Check, Checkmate, and Stalemate

The rules of ending the game. How do you know when the game is over? Here are different ways to finish a chess game. • Want more examples? See Checkmates with Names. (You'll need to know Chess Notation).

6. How to Promote a Pawn

The rules for Pawn promotion. Pawns only move forward. What happens when they reach the last row?

7. How to Capture En Passant

The rule of en passant. The term 'En passant' is French for 'in passing'. It's a tricky pawn move that some players don't know.

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  5. The Rules of Chess - How to Play Chess By the Rules - The Chess Rules Are Easy to Learn

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