Mastering the Board: A Guide to Chess Pieces
The Army on the Board
To become great at chess, you must understand the unique powers of your army. Each piece moves differently, and knowing how to coordinate them is the key to victory.
The King ♔
The king is the most important piece. If you lose your king, you lose the game.
- Start: e1 (White) / e8 (Black)
- Strategy: Protect him early (Castle!), use him as an attacker in the endgame.
The Queen ♕
The most powerful piece, worth 9 points.
- Movement: Combines the Rook and Bishop.
- Warning: Don't bring her out too early! She becomes a target for opponent's minor pieces.
The Rook ♖
The rook is a major piece, worth 5 points. Rooks love open files. Don't leave them trapped behind your own pawns!
Summary
Understanding movement is step one. Step two is understanding coordination. A Bishop and Knight working together are often stronger than a Rook alone. Practice these movements until they become second nature!