Beginner Chess - Vashi Deva

♟️ Beginner Chess Guide (0–1000 Rating)

1. Introduction to Chess

Chess is a two-player strategy game played on a 64-square board. The goal: checkmate the opponent’s king.
You’ll learn how to move pieces, plan attacks, defend, and win games!

2. How to Move the Pieces

• King – one square in any direction.

• Queen – any number of squares, any direction.

• Rook – straight lines (ranks & files).

• Bishop – diagonals only.

• Knight – “L” shape (2+1 move).

• Pawn – forward one square (first move can be two). Captures diagonally.

3. Pawns & Special Moves

• En passant: special pawn capture.

• Promotion: pawn reaching last rank becomes any piece (usually a queen).

• Pawns can’t move backward — use them wisely!

4. Castling & Illegal Moves

• Castling: move the king and rook together for safety.

  • King moves two squares toward rook, rook jumps over.

  • Conditions: no pieces between, king not in or through check.

• Illegal Moves: moves breaking chess rules (e.g., moving through check).

5. Algebraic Notation & Chess Clock

• Notation: system to record moves (e.g., e4, Nf3).

• Files: a–h; Ranks: 1–8.

• Clock: ensures fair timing — if time runs out, you lose.

6. The 3 Stages of Chess

1. Opening: develop pieces, castle, control center.

2. Middlegame: plan attacks or defense.

3. Endgame: few pieces left, promote pawns or deliver checkmate.

7. The Attack

Create threats against opponent’s pieces or king. Use development and coordination.

8. The Check

When your move attacks the opponent’s king. The opponent must respond by:

• Moving the king

• Blocking the check

• Capturing the attacking piece

9. Introduction to Defence

Protect your pieces and king:

• Move attacked pieces

• Block or counterattack

• Keep your king safe through castling

10. Introduction to Capture

Take opponent’s pieces when it benefits you — but always check if your own piece is safe after capturing.

11. Checkmate & Stalemate

• Checkmate: king is attacked and cannot escape — game over.

• Stalemate: king is not in check but has no legal moves — it’s a draw.

12. The Basic Checkmates

Practice:

• Queen + King vs. King

• Rook + King vs. King

• Two Rooks vs. King

13. 1 or 2 Move Checkmates

Common beginner patterns:

• Fool’s Mate

• Scholar’s Mate
  Learn to spot or prevent quick checkmates.

14. Types of Draws

• Stalemate

• Threefold repetition

• 50-move rule

• Insufficient material (e.g., king vs. king)

• Agreement draw

15. Forcing the Moves

Create situations where your opponent has limited or only one legal move — helps in tactics and checkmates.

16. Gain of Material

Win when you capture more valuable pieces than you lose.
Piece values:
Pawn = 1, Knight/Bishop = 3, Rook = 5, Queen = 9.

17. Double Attack & Defence

• Double Attack: attack two targets at once.

• Defence: protect your attacked pieces or threaten counterplay.

18. Discovered Attack, Discovered Check & Double Check

Move one piece to uncover another’s attack:

• Discovered Attack: hidden piece attacks.

• Discovered Check: hidden piece checks king.

• Double Check: both pieces give check simultaneously.

19. Tactical Themes

Patterns like forks, pins, skewers, discovered attacks, and sacrifices.
Tactics win games — train them daily.

20. Thematic Sacrifices

Give up material temporarily for attack or checkmate.
Example: Bxh7+ (Greek Gift) — attacking the castled king.

21. Attacking an Uncastled King

Punish unsafe kings in the center by opening lines and bringing pieces to attack quickly.

22. Attacking a Castled King

Target weaknesses (like pawn on h7/h2). Use open files, sacrifices, and coordination.

23. Opening Principles

• Control center

• Develop pieces

• Castle early

• Connect rooks

• Don’t move the same piece twice without reason

24. Basic Endgames

Learn to:

• Use the king actively

• Promote pawns

• Deliver basic checkmates

• Understand opposition and key squares