Whodiniz Chess

Moves one square in any direction — forward, backward, sideways, or diagonal. The most important piece on the board. If your King is trapped with no escape, the game is over.

The most powerful piece. Moves any number of squares in any direction — horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Think of her as a Rook and Bishop combined.

Moves any number of squares horizontally or vertically. Rooks are most powerful in open files (columns with no pawns blocking them) and on the 7th rank.

Moves any number of squares diagonally. Each Bishop stays on its starting colour for the entire game — one on light squares, one on dark squares.

Moves in an L-shape — two squares in one direction, then one square perpendicular. The only piece that can jump over other pieces.

Moves forward one square (or two squares on its very first move). Captures diagonally one square forward. If a pawn reaches the opposite end of the board, it promotes to any piece — usually a Queen.

When your King is under direct attack by an opponent's piece, you are in 'check'. You must get out of check immediately — by moving the King, blocking the attack, or capturing the attacking piece.

Checkmate ends the game. It means your King is in check and there is no legal move to escape. The player who delivers checkmate wins.

If it's your turn and you have no legal moves but your King is NOT in check, the game is a draw. This is called stalemate — a common trap to aim for when you're losing.

A special move where the King moves two squares toward a Rook, and the Rook jumps to the other side of the King. You can only castle if neither piece has moved, there are no pieces between them, and the King is not in check.

A special pawn capture. If your opponent moves a pawn two squares forward from its starting position and it lands beside your pawn, you can capture it as if it had only moved one square. This must be done immediately on the next move.

When a pawn reaches the far end of the board (rank 8 for White, rank 1 for Black), it must be promoted to a Queen, Rook, Bishop, or Knight. Almost always choose the Queen.

Control the centre — place pawns and pieces on or near the central squares (e4, d4, e5, d5).

Develop your pieces early — get your Knights and Bishops off the back rank before you start attacking.

Castle early — tuck your King away safely behind pawns on the kingside.

Don't move the same piece twice in the opening — use those moves to develop other pieces instead.

Think before you move — ask yourself 'can my opponent capture this piece?' before placing it.

Watch your back rank — a Rook or Queen sliding along the back rank is a common way to lose.