Learn chess
Forty short lessons, from the board and the moves to tactics, endgames and strategy. Each one can be read here, and played through in the Chess40 app — with exercises, hints and stars.
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1 The basics
8 lessons
- The board64 squares, and a name for each
- Setting up the piecesWhere every piece begins
- The rookStraight lines, as far as the way is clear
- The bishopDiagonals, and always one colour
- The queenA rook and a bishop in one
- The kingOne step at a time, never into danger
- The knightThe piece that jumps in an L
- The pawnForward only, capturing on the diagonal
2 Special rules
8 lessons
3 Basic checkmates
5 lessons
4 Tactics
8 lessons
- The forkOne piece attacks two at once
- The pinA piece that cannot move without exposing another
- The skewerAttack the big piece, win the one behind it
- The discovered attackA piece steps aside and unmasks another
- The double attackTwo threats with one move
- DeflectionPull a defender away from its duty
- AttractionLure a piece onto a fatal square
- Removing the defenderCapture the guard, and what it guarded falls
5 Opening principles
4 lessons
6 Endgames
4 lessons
7 Strategy
3 lessons