START TO PLAYCopyright & Publishers Notices Copyright © 2008 Intchess Asia Pte Ltd & Intchess (MM) Scin. Bad. for the ASEAN Chess Academy. All rights reserved. Published in Malaysia by Jras Corporation Sdn Bhd 43 Pusat Dagangan UMNO Shah Alam Lot 8. Persiaran Damai Printed in Malaysia by:~ Ultimate Print Sdn Bhd Lot 2, Jalan Sepana 15/3, Off Persiaran Selangor, Seksyen 15, 40200 Shah Alam, Selangor Darul Ehsan Tel: +603-5101 3888 Fax: +603-5101 3600 First printed in Malaysia 2008 ISBN 978-983-3900-36-7 No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, photocopying, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright holder. Series Editors Peter Long & Olimpiu G. Urean, FIDE Trainers Technical Advisors (GM Utut Adianto & IM Jovan Petronic, FIDE Senior Trainers Founder Ignatius Leong, FIDE Senior TrainerStart to Play Chess FIDE Certification Information ‘The ASEAN Chess Academy is pleased to award diplomas for students meeting the requirements of Start to Play Chess Levels 1-3 for the ASEAN (Chess Confederation and FIDE. The examination schedule and a ist of testing centres can be obtained from ‘wwwintchessasiacom Dedication & Acknowledgements ‘These books truly represent the very best efforts of the many dedicated trainers of the ASEAN Chess Academy over the last five years, without whom we would have no program, curricula or materials for our students. And in teaching our scholastic program daily to young enthusiastic children, we have been able to continually develop the lessons and exercises taking into account feedback, and we are pleased and honoured to be able to share our work with you and hope you indeed benefit. ‘Trainers of the ASEAN Chess Academy ‘www.intchessasia.comSTARTTO PLAY CHESS - Book One: Beginners Contents PART ONE: Introduction Foreword Benefits of Chess A Brief History of Chess PART TWO: Lessons Lesson 1: The Chess Board and Chess Pieces Exercise: 1 - 14 Lesson 2: The Movements of Rook and Bishop Exercise: 15 - 34 Lesson 3: The Movements of Queen and Knight Lesson 4: The Movements of King and Pawn Exercise: 53 - 64 Lesson 5: En-Passant Capture/Pawn Promotion Exercise: 65 - 76 Lesson 6: Check/Checkmate/Stalemate Exercise: 77 - 94 Lesson 7: Other Ways to Win and Draw Lesson 9: The Value of Chess Pieces Exercise: 119 - 132 Lesson 10: Attack, Capture and Defence Exercise: 133 - 144 PART THREE: Appendices Chess Notation FIDE Laws of Chess A Basic Resources Guide Why Offer Chess in Schools? Solutions 24 44 53 60 70 77 84 93 102 107 109 m2 116START TO PLAY CHESS - Book One: BeginnersSTART TO PLAY CHESS - Book One: Beginners FOREWORD Dear Student, Numerous studies, over the past forty years, have cemonsirated a link between chess and improvements in educational pezformance. From visualisation and strategic thinking skills {through to enhancement of memory and concentration, the benefits of chess playing are vast. 1 strongly urge you to take up chess and I too have personally benefited as everytime [ play a _game of chess, these skills are practised and improved and | attribute my success in life and ‘business to being a chess player. Edmund Senthara CEO, Macterskill Sdn. Bhd. President. Kuala Lumpur Chess Association Dear Student, With this book and by pattidpating in this scholastic program you are taking your fist steps into a whole new world where ar and scienar logicand fantay all came together. ‘You will am how to ply chess and in doing 90 you willbe fascinated atthe endless possibilities this wonderful gameso richin history and culture offers. Best of all, chess makes kids smarter! So you will find that your concentration improves, you become more ¢houghtfl and less impulsive, and start analysing sstuaonsandi begin planning abeac. FIDE General Secretary President ASEAN Chess ConfederationSTART TO Play CHESS - Book One: Beginners Benefits of Chess Chess is preeminent among human pursuits in having spawned the richest literature worldwide. No other sport has millions of books, magazines and brochures levoted to it. And that s besides the plethora of multimedia and Intemet-based material that has mushroomed over the past decade. Today, chess is celebrated in its many facets: as sport, artand science. Contemporary sodal scence research points to the value of chess as an integral part of the school system. From the lange body of ‘ildren studying chess at ASEAN Chess Academy academic literature, we have culled and offer some research condusions on the values promoted by chess: Increased sense of responsibility Planning and precise calculation Improved thinking process Fostering memory skills Group skills Social interaction, integration and re-integration Time management skills Improved analytical and decision skills Self-discovering of strengths and weaknesses Skills transfer to life situations requiring fast, precise and decisive actions. | ‘Sources for further research: World Chess Federation (www fide.com) ASEAN Chess Academy (www intchessasia.com)‘STARTTO Play CHESS - Book One: Beginners A Brief History of Chess The Ancient Roots (600-900) The origins of chess continue to baffle scholars and historians world-wide. There is a lengthy record of debate and findings that challenge some of the initial facts about where, when and who invented this board game. The ‘most common theory says that the modem game of chess originates from Chaturanga,a very similar wargame invented in Northen part of India around 600 AD. The first written evidence about chess in all literature is in Harschacharita by Bana, an Indian court poet, dated as written between 625 and 640 AD. Similar Chinese texts from the same period contain various references to what seems to be the game of chess, Although several myths developed on who actually invented the game at its earliest stages, the question remains a mystery. ‘Specialists assert that it is possible that it was the work of a single mind, but itis also possible that the individual movements of the pieces coagulated from several different sources not necessarily from one single mind. Chess evolved greatly in the Buddhist countries, especially in India. From this point onwards the game spread in the East, North and ‘West taking sharply different characteristics. It was taken to China by Buddhists over the mountains over the Indus river or through the Khyber Pass, a key juncture point of the caravan trading routes. By 800, the Chinese developed their own game of chess, adapted to the cultural realities of their space (Chinese Chess) In the 11° century, the game reached Japan through Korea, itwas again adapted to the Japanese culture and a different game emerged (Sho). One of the earliest Indian chess men dated end of 16 century. Ancient Indian chess men had similar shapes [Conserved at Victoria and Albert ‘Museum, London]. Then, the game spread towards West. Around 625 reached Persia and was named Chatrang. After the Arabian conquest in the mid of 7 century the game was renamed Shatranj ‘Two hundred years of immense growth of chess inside the Islamic Gvilization followed. The oldest recovered game seems to be g game played between a Baghdad historian and one of his pupils as found ina 10° century manuscriptSTART TO PLay CHESS - Book One: Beginners Chess in Medieval Europe (1000-1600) Chess entered Europe through three different paths: Moorish invasion of Spain in the 8" century, the Islamic conquest of Sicily shortly after, and through the Byzantine Empire in the astern Europe. The Christians Byzantines took the game in the heart of East and Central Europe, the Vikings took it in the Baltic regions, The most famous collection of chessmen was found on Isle ‘of Lewis in 1631 and consist in 78 walrus-ivory pieces dated as approximately 800-900 years ago. ‘The game spread throughout Europe and by the year of 1000 it was widely known. bh Page from Libros dle Ajedrex, Dados ¢ Tables, a ‘medieval manuscript by Alphonso the Wise (Spain) in 13* century [Biblioteca Monasterial de Escouill, ‘The laws and the nules of chess evolved slowly with some variation from region to region. Two other today commonly accepted laws, castling and en-passant capture, were known in the 154 century but they became a common usage only in the 18* century. But the most important changes in the game took place in the year of 1475; the former FERS - King’s advisor (of male gender) - was replaced by a “Queen”, and the former AUFINs were replaced by “Bishops”. The change quickened the game greatly as both the ‘Queen and the Bishop enjoyed a greater mobility over the board. In addition, the act of increasing the value pawn promotion was introduced (from. now onwards the pawn could promote into a Queen}. This added a greater dynamic to the game. Furthermore, since the mobility of the ‘Queen was much greater, it created stronger threats in the early stage of the game; any wrong, step could have meant a serious peril Consequently, those interested in the game started to study how to open the game properly. The newly-changed game spread from Southern Europe to the rest of the continent. The earliest books on chess (written by Vicent, Lucena, Damiano, and Ruy Lopez) were all. written in the Iberian Peninsula. The game registered a new growth in the 16" century when chess players were supported by wealthy (and occasionally royal) patrons in Italy. With a financial security guaranteed, the stronger players like Gioachino Greco (1600 - c.1634) invented openings, wrote secret manuals an how to attack efficiently or how to open a game in remarkable ways. The Modern Times (1700-1800) Starting with 1730s, chess was played in the cafés of all major cities of Europe. Chess players met in these hubs of socal life but eaming, a living off the game proved a difficult path from its very start. An incipient market for chess books emerged, Philidor’s Analysis (1749) being one of the most important work of the period. His ideas, based on a first attempt to understand positional play, were attacked by his rivals. This way a debate emerged and the various “schools of chess” elaborated their principles. By the 17 century, chess players throughout Europe were isolated in the cities of their activities. But, once the modem inventionsSTART TO PLAY CHESS - Book One: Beginners were manifest (telegraphy, cable, telephone, etx), matches between various cities started to take place on a large scale than before. Such inter- connectivity aided the development and the status of the game. The leading chess centre was the famous Café de la Regence in Paris where the best players of the time used to meet. There, the important match between Louis Charles de la Bourconnais (1795-1840) and Alexander MacDonnell (1758-1835), two leading players of the time from France and England, took place in 1834. With this occasion, for the very first time, the news about chess filled newspapers and were extensively analyzed in books. A sketch of Café de la Regence, Paris, 1874 ~ the most active chess café of the 1" century. By 1850s newspapers started to cany regular chess columns and several chess periodicals were published. The opening theory developed greatly and international matches between various individuals, considered Europe's leading players, were or more often than before. In 1843, the rivalry between the leading French and English players took the shape of a match between Howard Staunton (1810-1874) and PierreCharles Fourier St, 10 ‘Amant (1800-1872). Staunton won the match and the prize money but he remained in the collective memory of chess players world-wide for deciding the stardard shape of chessmen ['Steunton style’] and for organizing the first important intemational chess tourmament in London in 1851, Although the toumament was won by Adolf Anderssen, 2 German school teacher, London remained the epicentre of chess activity. Wilhelm Steinitz (1836-1900) World's first official chess champion. ‘A new wave of enthusiasm for the game ‘was registered during late 1850s. Paul Morphy, a genial young American chess player, came to Europe and defeated the continent's most notable players in a few months. He retired briefly after his worldly applauded success, but the game benefitted from such wide-spread exposure. By 1872, Wilhelm Steinitz (1836-1900), a Prague-bom chess player, became world’s leading master and he remained one until early 1890s. He produced a series of very importantSTARTTO PLAY CHESS - Book One: Beginners wittings and. established the foundation of psvitional play. “The modem design of the Staunton Tournament chess set, envisioned by the English player in the 19 century Before World War II In early 1900s the chess life expanded in Fuurope and America, Chess toumaments were onganized more regularly than before and a grater number of chess masters emerged. Among the best of them were Harry N. Pillsbury, Siegbert Tarrasch, Frank J. Marshall, Aaron Nimzowitch and others. Following Steinite’s docline, the reigns of Emanuel Lasker (1868-1941) and José R. Capablanca (1888-1942) as world champions marked this period. The technique of playing was greatly elaborated by the leading masters of the time and the 1920s registered one Cf the most busiest chess eras prior to World War Il, The emergence of the Russian-born Alexander ‘Alekhine (1892-1946), the fourth world champion, pushed the interest in the game to new heights. In 1924, FIDE (Fédération International des Echecs) was organized and the international goveming of the chess activities debuted. FIDE organized the first Olympiad in 1927. Along with it the first women's world chess championship ‘was organized in the same year as many women became very proficient at the game. it The first woman world champion was ‘Vera Menchik (1906-1944). Since her time, world witnessed (and continues to do so) a great number of female chess players who proved exceptional skill at chess. After World War IT ‘At the end of World War Il (1939-1945) a new chess power emerged: Soviet Union. Its leading masters, headed by Mikhail Botvinnik (1911-1995), conquered the world title and installed a Russian hegemony: most of the top world players were Russian or belonging to the vast space of Soviet Union. Among them: Mikhail Tal, Tigran Petrosian, Vasily Smislov, Boris Spassky and many others. This Russian dominance was briefly interrupted by the rise of the American Robert J. Fischer (1943 -2008) who in the mid 1960s andearly 1970s took ‘on successfully the lite of Russian chess. 1n 1972 Fischer Pre et ey defeated Spassky to f ig. a aim tothe world . file in amuch Robert J. Fischer publicized match played in Reykjavik, Iceland. The Russians redaimed the world championship in 1975 when Fischer gave up the title in the favour of Anatoly Karpov (b. 1951). The latter proved world’s leading player for about a decade.‘START TO PLAY CHESS - Book One: Beginners In 1985, the challenge came from the 22- year-old Garry Kasparov (b.1963), the advocate of a very aggressive and dynamic approach to the game. Alter a tense struggle between what the ‘outside world would term “K-K duel”, Kasparov emerged as the new world chess champion at the end of a marathon match against Karpov. Kasparov was the leader of a new generation of chess players with a superior style and approach to how the game should be played at high level. Elements such as deeper analysis, opening preparation, superior understanding of strategy and psychological preparation became necessary parts of the arsenal of a world class player. The 1970s also witnessed the first explorations in the realm of chess played by computers. After timid attempts, by mid of the 1970s the first computers were able to defeat human amateurs or club-level players. Two decades later, computers such as Deep Fritz and others developed to such an extent that were able to defeat world’s best players with relative ease. With the development of laptops and chess databases since late 1980s onwards, the chess playing/analysing engines stored in laptops became a top player's most loyal training partners and confidants. The technological advance and the advent of intemet fasiened greatly the chytim with which the game of chess spread to the masses. No long the hoary pastime of an intellectual elite like in the 18* century, the game of chess started to be played by anyone, anywhere across the world This was very evident in 1990s and continues to aid the game today. In addition, a great number of very young and skilful Grandmasters emerged in the first ranks of the chess world breaking down the stereotype that the chess is a game for older people: very young grandmasters and intemational masters convinced many that even the youngest students can master the game at its highest level. No longer the privilege of the old and wise, the art of chess playing is swiftly mastered by school ‘children who tur into masters and grandmasters ata fast pace. Such development is currently supported by FIDE, headed by its most successful president Kirsan Ilymzhinov. The game is played on all continents and in all countries by a great diversity of people: rich or poor, young or old, boys or girls, regardless of ethnicity, religion or race. Its taught in specialized training centres and chess academies all over the world. Butis also taught in schools where pupils embark on a fascinating joumey that - given enough courage to persevere, patience, resilience and willingness to eam from one's own mistakes - leads not only to the mastering the art of chess playing but mastering the art of discovering our own weaknesses and strengths - mastering ourselves. ‘To such an end there is no shortcut. Since immemorial times - when the game was played from the plains of Northen Indian kingdoms to the Buddhist mountain-villages of China, fromSTARTTO PLAY CHESS - Book One: Beginners tlw Teasian steps across the African desert to the rnwelieval Spanish castles, and from the dark Hull cities to the cold Russian towns - for a pumpective disciple of the game such journey always started with first leeming how the chess ples move and interact on the special board with sixty-four squares. 13 ‘Suggested Further Readings Fred Wilson, A Picture History of Chess, (Dover Publications, 1981) Harold J. Murray, History of Chess, (Oxford University Press, First published 1913) Harry Golombek, A History of Chess, Putnam, 1976) Hooper, D. and Kenneth Whyld, The Oxford ‘Corepanion to Chess, (Oxford University Press, 1995) Patrick Wolf, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess, (Alpha Books, 2002, pp. 1-11) Richard Eales, Chess: The History of a Game, (Hardinge Simpole, 2002) William Roland Hartston, The Kings of Chess, (Harper & Row, 1985)START TO PLAY CHESS - Book One: BeginnersSTART TOPLAY CHESS - Book One: Beginners i LESSON 1: THE CHESS BOARD AND CHESS PIECES The game of chess is played between two opponents. In order to play and study the game you need a chess board and a set of chess pieces. Chess is played on a chess board. This is usually made of solid materials (wood, plastic, hard paper, etc). It has the shape of a square. ee "le a ‘ ea > a La WA Wo, Pom em is 2 2 abedefgh Ze 4 3 2 1 thas the shape of a square. Ithas 64 squares (32 white and 32 black). * It has FILES, RANKS, and DIAGONALS. «It has numbers (from 1 to 8) and letters (from a toh) on its sides. WHMIS AHI RANK OR DIAGONAL? FILE: Thisis the name for a vertical line on the chess board. There are 8 files on the board and the name of the file is given by the letters (“a" file, “b” file, etc). Please follow, on the diagram below, the dark colour that shows a file: ZaR a - ao @ - a a 2 D), abedefgh RANK: This is the name for a horizontal line on the chess board (see next diagram). The name of the rank is given by the number (1* rank, 2 rank, 3% rank, 8 [or back] rank, etc). Note the rankStaRtTO PLayCuEss umatked by the dark colour on the chess In narel: DIAGONAL: This is the name for a line that runs at a slope over the board. There are many diagonals on the board and their names are given by joining letters chess and numbers: Example: the diagonal marked with the dark colour below has the name of “al ~ h8” diagonal. ~ Book One: Beginners Remember and use the names “File”, “Rank” and “Diagonal”, as some chess pieces move on files and ranks and some chess pieces move only on diagonals, as we shall see. The letters and the numbers at the sides of the board have two important uses: 1. knowing the chess board better; 2. tolet you learn to move pieces on it, by quickly showing the name of each square. Each of the 64 squares has a name. The name of the square is given by the letter of the file and the number of the rank running over the square put together. AS VJ, 4 2e 6 8 Gm oe o 2 eee ane oe abede Want ow Ss ane o" a x “heSTART TO PLAY Cress - Book One: Beginners The g4 square is marked by dark colour in the previous diagram. '26[b3 [cB [dé /e8 | 18 [ga [hB fa7|b7 |e? [a7 [er | #7 [o7 [nT [a6 |b6 [c6 [46|e6|16 [a6 [hs ‘a5 |b5|e5 [45 |e5|15 [g5|n5 ad |b4/c4|d4 ea] 14 [ga[na’ 'a3|b3[e3]a3[e3| 13 [g3[h3 az|b2|e2]a2 e212 [g2|n2 a1|b1 {ct |at]et|tt jgt|n7 In the diagram above are all the names of all the 64 squares. There are 32 chess pieces on the chess board. There are 16 pieces for the White player and 16 pieces for the Black player. Each player starts with the following: 1 (one) King g 1(one) Queen 8 2(two) Rooks HE 2 (two) Bishops 2.9. 2 (two) Knights 2)2) 8 (eight) Pawns RRRARAAR RN Bm MOAN ow The Starting Position Important Note Pay proper attention on the following, when arranging the chessboard: 1. 2 3. White's pieces occupy the 1* and 2 ranks. The long diagonal at White’s right (h1-28) must be of white colour. The White Queen occupies white-coloured dl- square; The Black Queen occupies black- coloured d8- square.RRKRRAEK Chess Board Chess Pieces BARWeAAR Exercises 1 - 14START TO PLay CHESS Is this positioning of the chess board correct? BYES ONO Are all 16 white and 16 black pieces setup correctly? ayes ONO If you choose to answer "no", answer how many white and black pieces are out of the start order? Answer: fergie thas unrest abedefgh Is this positioning of the chess board correct? BYES ONO Are all 16 white and 16 black pieces setup correctly? OYES ONO If you choose to answer "no", answer how many white and black pieces are out of the start order? Answer: Workbook One; Beginners cdef gh How are the marked groups of squares called? GFles GRanks 2 Diagonals How many ranks are there on the chess board? a2 04 a8 ‘How many squares are there in one rank? o2 a4 o8 How many light squares does one rank have? 02 04 a8 ‘How many dark squares does one rank have? 02 o4 08 Isit correct to say that each rank contains alternate light and dark squares? © YES aNO “How are the marked groups of squares called?‘START TO PLay CHESS Dfiles Granks © diagonals ‘How many files are there on.a chess board? bg 08 0% ‘How many squares are there in one file? 04 08 064 ‘Tick the furthest right file: abfile ob-fle ‘How many “light squares" does one file passes? 04 08 064 How many “dark squares" does one file have? 04 08 a6 Which have the most squares, files or ranks? ORarks OFiles oEqual How are the marked groups of squares called? Files @Ranks © Diagonals How are the longest diagonals called? "Long diagonal” © "main diagonal” How many "long diagonals" are there on the chess board? o2o4 08 How many squares does a "long diagonal” contain? 6204 08 How many “long dark-squared diagonals’ are there on the chess board? o1a2 04 How many shortest diagonals are there on the chess board? ol o2 o4 How many squares do the four shartest diagonals individually have? ola? 04 How many diagonals have a total of three squares? ola? v4 Are all the squares of one diagonal of same colour? BYES GNO Z Lao aaa a Le eEAcbattl Gra ol ee beal eg ae ha cnet ‘chess board? ‘ocenter ckingside c queenside? aSTART TO PLAY CHESS How many squares are there in the center? 0102 04 ol o2 o4 How many files cross the center of the chess board? 10204 ‘How many ranks cross the center of the chess board? of a2 a4 ne eC ars abedefgh Does the dark-colored square belong to the center? DYES aNO Select the name of this square: 0 d4.o d5-05d BR eR node 22 Does the dark-coloured square belong to the center? YES ONO Select the name of the marked square: nd3 ods a3d HN eR Ow abedefgh What is the “name’ ofthe dark-coloured square? ob3 0a3 o3a Exercise 10 a 4G mena YW BReenuowe abedef gh fe ‘Write the name of the square marked in dark? Answer:START 0 PLAY CHESS Exercise 11 be dere h ‘Does the chess board have a square named 49? DYES NO Does the chess board have a square named a10? DYES NO Does the chess board have a square named j2? YES GNO Does the chess board have a square named 0? BYES NO Which of these squares does exist on the board? Dmio BO a9 0 5e Exercise 12 LU, ue (cal a, eee Ga & D abecdefaeh Tick the only two comer squares that belong to the rank: Galandhl Sa8andal Tick the only two comer squares that belong to the Strank:Oa8andh8 08 and al 23 Workbook One: Beginners Tick the only two comer squares ofthe a-file: OalandaS 9 a7andal Exercise 13 Name this piece symbol! 0 Bishop o Pawn 0 King & Name this piece symbol! © Bishop 0 Rook 5 King @ Nate this piece symbol! O Knight 3 Rook o King Exercise 14 a ‘Name this piece symbol! © Rook 5 Queen 0 Knight w ‘Name this piece symbol! 1D Rook 0 Queen Pawn A ‘Name this piece symbol! Bishop 0 King 0 KnightSTARTTO PLAY CHESS - Book One: Beginners LESSON 2: THE MOVEMENTS OF ROOK AND BISHOP (ase There are four Rooks on the chess board. Each player has two Rooks. The Rooks sit on the comers of the board, as shown in the diagram below: ‘ie ver ® 7 a a i a a a eo oe i ee 1 ‘The Rook moves straight on files or straight on ranks. In the next diagram, the possible movernent of the Rook is shown by the dark colour lines: 24 Z Ttcan move one or any number of squares so long as there are no pieces in its way. ‘The Rook cannot jump over other pieces. If the opponent has a piece (other than the King) on the file or rank on which your Rook moves, your Rook could capture it. By the act of capturing you take off the board your opponent's pieces. This gives you an advantage.START TO PLAY CHESS - Book One: Beginners BEFORE CAPTURE In the diagram above, on the c-file, there is a black pawn on the square <5. With White to play, the Rook can capture the black c-pawn, removing it from the board and taking its place. In the diagram above, White cannot move the Rook from cl to 7 in one move. The Rook cannot jump over pieces. Generally, it is good to capture opponent's unprotected pieces. That may leave the opponent’s King less protected and make it easier to win the game. 25 AFTER CAPTURE a “a te ows ate 2 4 2 ee Whi by i DU, bo Ja Y abedefgh After the capture, the Rook takes the (captured) pawn’s place and the opponent's pawn is taken off the board, thus becoming a “captured piece”. Sometimes, to capture the opponent's piece, one must first make in-between moves. This is called manoeuvring. For instance, in the diagram below: A Z, a oF 2 a Pay 4aSTARTTO Pray CHEss - Book One: Beginners The Rook cannot capture the pawn in one move, as the black pawn is not on the Rook's file or rank. So, White first moves his Rook to be on the same file with the pawn (1* move). Then the Rook captures the black pawn (2" move). [aaa There are four Bishops on the chess board. Each player has two Bishops. At the start, Bishops sit next to the Queen. and King as in the next diagram: EU OMneenin ia eon reas The Bishop moves diagonally ONLY. It moves along the diagonals of the chess 26 board. The Bishop moves only on squares of one and the same colour. Since the Bishop can move ONLY oa diagonals, it can move ONLY to squares of the same colour as that diagonal For example, if the Bishop starts the game on a black square, then it can move only on black squares for the rest of the game. ZY 4 ve Ve On the diagram, each of the squares that the Bishop at d4 can move to is marked with dark colour. The Bishop has the power to capture any enemy pieces (except the King), but only if they are located on its diagonals. This is illustrated in the next example:START TO PLayCueEss - Book One: Beginners \ 2) = 8 Pete e aoe ‘ka eg abed \\ ot AN “4 aa s am In the diagram above, the opponent's piece (cL-pawn) is on the same diagonal as the white Bishop and so the Bishop can capture it. If the opponent's piece is not on the Bishop's diagonal but is on a square of the same colour as your Bishop, one needs more than one move to capture it. See below: = 7 ‘ “s oe ae = a 8 7 6 5 4 Ee 2 N fs a \“y 0 x 8 7 6 4 3 2 1 aeetetate Sige a In the diagram, the white Bishop cannot capture the black Rook on ¢6 in one move because the Rook is not on the diagonal of the Bishop. In order to capture an important piece, one has to position his Bishop on the same diagonal with the target of attack. In the next example, the Bishop on cl does not directly attack the Black a7-pawn. By his next move (Bishop cl moves to €3), the a7 pawn is attacked and ~ at the next move — 2 Z/ abedefgh White Bishop on cl must move first to e3 ~ placing itself on the same diagonal with the a7-pawn [the target]. After Black makes his move, the white Bishop, now on €3, may capture the a7-pawn.The Movements of Ei and A. Exercises 15 - 34START TO PLAY CHESS Workbook One: Beginners ‘What legal captures, allowed by the rules and laws Training example: white's moves only! Move the rook of chess, may be made by the white rook now? to the g5-square in three moves only! Answer, Can the white rook capture the white d2-pawn? Answer oYES oNO (Can the white rook move tothe dI-square in one move? DYES oNO Exercise 16 a Ge At 2% 8 stim Bt G&G oo “28 “2 a abedefgh ‘Training example: white's moves only! Capture the d5- ‘Training example: white’s moves only! Move the ‘pawn with the white rook in the fastest way possible! ‘white rook fo the 5* rank in two moves only! Answer Answer, 29START TO PLAY CHESS BREA MAL @ abedefgh Training example: white's moves only! Capture the How can the white r00k attack the two black pawns black h7-pawn with the white rook in the fastest way simultaneously? possible! Answer Answer, ave e-pteeeeeerae care abedefgh Altack two black pieces (the black bishop and the Alttack (check) the black king at ¢7 with thg, white black knight) simultaneously with the white rook! rook! Answer, Answer.START TO PLay CHESS abcde fgh Attack the black bi-bishop with the white rook! abcde fgh Attack the a and hé black pawns simultaneously with the white rook! Answer, Training example: white's moves only! Manoeuvre the al-rook to the b5-square in six moves only, avoiding squares a5, bf, 5, d6,e7, 6 g5 and h7! a a. LU 0, temas a 8. abe — efe 5 Training example: white's moves only! Manoeuvre the white rook to square al in three moves only, avoiding squares. b2, cl, €3,f4, g6 and h7! Answer‘START TO Pray CHESS abedefgh Does a bishop move along diagonals? YES GNO Does a bishop move along files? DYES ONO Does a bishop move along ranks? DYES ONO Can the di-bishop, on the diagram above, attack black squares? YES ONO Which diagonal is controlled by the e5-bishop? aalh8 oelhs Can the e5-bishop attack light squares? DYes oNo 32 abedefeh Which captures are possible forthe white bishop now? Cirde them. ‘Can the white bishop capture the white g2-pawn? BYES ONO Can the white bishop move tothe af-square or the I-square now? DYES DNO el fe mame 2e G2 con ee @ ese abede fgh s Training example: white's moves only! Capture the blackh7-pawn in three consecutive legal moves, using, the white bishop only! Answer.STARTTO PLay CHESS Exercise 31 abcdefgh Using the white bishop, attack two black knights simultaneously in one move! Answer. ‘Training example: white's moves only! Capture the black h7-pawn in three consecutive moves! Answer 33 abedefagh ‘Training example: white's moves only! Capture the &7- ‘pawn in six consecutive white moves! bedefgh ‘Training example: white’s moves only! Move the white bishop to the cl-square in three consecutive moves only, avoiding squares d2 and e5! Answer,‘Start TOPLay CHESS - Book One: Beginners LESSON 3: THE MOVEMENTS OF QUEEN AND KNIGHT There are two Queens on the board. Each player has one Queen. The Queens are the most powerful pieces on the chess board. At the start of the game they sit next to their King, as shown in the diagram below. ower Observe that the white Queen starts on a white square. The black Queen starts on a black square. They are facing each other. Remember always to check that both Queens and Kings are placed correctly before starting a game! Why is the Queen the most powerful piece? Because the Queen can move most freely. It can move along ranks and files (ike the Rook) and it can also move along, diagonals (like the Bishop). We say that the Queen has the “widest mobility”. That is why the Queen is the strongest piece on the chess board. Atr+H=wW In the diagram above, the squares marked with dark colour (ranks, files, diagonals) are those that the Queen can move to.START TO PLAY CHESS - Book One: Beginners EXIENUROenI ROMER Te ey If some of opponent's pieces (except the King) are on the same rank, file or diagonal as the Queen, they can be captured by it. In the diagram above, the black Queen can capture: - the white pawn on a3; or = the white Rook on b8; or - the white Bishop on a6. The black Queen cannot capture the white Knight on h3, as this piece is not on the same rank, file or diagonal as itself. There are four Knights on the chess board. Each player has two Knights. At the start of the game, the Knight sits between the Bishop and the Rook. Ui, 3 aaa ma 99% @ ia 2 g 1 n aieceeiatir ier ERIE Ue RRC Kann aD ‘The Knight is very special for two reasons: 1. It is the only piece that can jump over other pieces; 2. It is the only piece whose symbol looks like an animal (horse). Do not call this piece a “horse” The proper name for it is “Knight”! nn ee The Knight does not move in a straight line. It moves in an “L” (Lasina letter of the alphabet). shape 35STARTTO PLAY CHESS - Book One: Beginners ‘This is how the white Knight may move from the dS-square to the e-square- in “L” direction. oY L This “L” direction can appear in different angles. This “L” shape MUST cover four (4) squares. If it's more than 4 squares is too Jong (as shown below): abcde fae Too long = Incorrect! Don't make it too short either! abedefga Too short = Incorrect! NNT ‘The Knights the only piece that can jump over other pieces. The diagram below shows this jumping action:START TO PLAY CHESS - Book One: Beginners Before jumping NR A abedefgh ‘The black Knight can jump over the white pawns and land on either the d3 or YW abedefgh The Knight made its move inan “L” shape and landed on the square, Ifone of the opponent's pieces (except the King) is on the landing square of the Knight, the Knight can capture it. 37 The diagram below exemplifies how this can be done: abedefgh White to play: The white Knight can capture the black Rook in one move! Important Note The Knight cannot capture all the pieces on his ‘way to capturing the enemy piece on the landing square. Note the diagram below: 8 6 3 4 30 YY, FO 1Baao a abedefgh ‘The white Knight on e4 can capture only the black Bishop on f6. It cannot capture all the black pieces. The capture can take place ONLY on the landing square of your Knight!The Movements of WY and &) Exercises 35 - 52STARTTO PLAY CHESS HU ew ade abedefgh (Can the queen "jump" over pieces? aYesoNo ‘Does the queen move along diagonals? oa YesoNo ‘Does the queen move along files? oYesaNo Does the queen move along ranks? oYesa No Exercise 36 Ye, a Ui, da, "a 8 we ¥ & KN NS & abedef gh ‘Which black piece can be captured with the white queen on the diagram above? crook c knight o pawn (Can the queen capture the white pawn? Yes aNo Workbook One: Beginners (Can the queen capture the black g2-pawn now? aYesaNo Exercise 37 ‘eo U, Gi ae a ‘ene ane T me Training example: whites moves only! Capture the black knight in two consecutive moves only! ANSWER: I. Qhi-al 2 Qalxh8 Mission accomplished! abedefgh Using the white queen, attack both the black rook and ‘Anightin one move only! Answer,START TO PLAY CHESS Exercise 39 * i a ‘| Boe 2 5D Te alae 2 ee, Using the witite queen, attack both of black’s pieces Using the white queen, attack all three black's pieces in inone move only! ‘one move only! abedefgnh Using the white queen, attack both of black's pieces ‘Using the white queen, attack all six black’s piates in jinone move only! onemove only! Answer. Answer,‘STARTTO PLAY CHESS ‘Move the white queen to the g2-square in two consecutive moves only, avoiding the squares d2, and. Bt Answer, a8 2 ee nen e UD. a abedefgh Move the white queen to the fl-square in three ‘consecutive moves only, avoiding squares a6, b7, 4, 4, €3, 2, gb and hst Answer. 41 abcdelgh Move the white queen tothe h8-square in four moves ‘only, avoiding squares b8, a2, bS, 5, d5, 5,6, g5and st Answer, oi i, DG, a di, J, 0 ha ae a Wy, BB abedefgh Hee Awave Doesa knight (white or black) move along diagonals? oYesoNo ‘Does.a knight (white or black) move along files? aYesaNo Cana knight (white or blac) "jump" over pieces? oYesaNoSTARTTO PLAY CHESS Workbook One: Beginners How many squares does the white e5-knight on the Exercise 39 diagram above atiacis? Can the white e5-knight on the diagram above | move onto a dark-coloured square in one ’ Ua mover aveienis ete ies a : ee ee "fe ‘te . a abcdefgh 5B OF oO ‘(Z4azZe ‘Using the white knight on the diagram above, aifack : a eae both black pawns simultaneously in one move only! : SZe7 ee SS Ps J saint 7a ae a is me 3 EDD ‘(a a abedefgh Using the white knight on the diagram above, attack all four black’s pieces simultaneously in one mous oni! Answer: Axe (all eight squares available for the white knight's nextmove Cjump’)? a YesoNo 42‘SraRTTOPLay CHESS Exercise 51 8 7k we ‘ea oe 5 ‘UZ Ue 1 a 2 1 i la. Uh abedefgh abedefgh ‘Whats the quickest way for the white knight at 2 to ‘Training example: black’s moves only!"Manoeuvre" the ‘capture the black e6-pawn? black knight from a8 to hl in such a special way that one cof white's pawnsis being attacked with each knight's Answer, move! Answer, 43STARTTOPLAY CHESS ~ Book One: Beginners LESSON 4: THE MOVEMENTS OF KING AND PAWN There are two Kings on the chess board, Each player has a King. The King is the most important piece. Once the King is trapped, the game is over. The purpose of the game is to CHECKMATE (or trap) the opponent's King. The player that checkmates the other player's King wins the game. Thus, defending your King is not just very important, it is MOST important! a ae si a?) ~ Vii, em aS Fann LAA. ws BN we CHaHe Eee At the start, the white King sits on el, while the black King sits on e8, thus facing each other. 1. HOW DOLS THE KING MOVE? The King can move one square at a time in any direction. Thus, while the King enjoys greater options of moving (not all pieces can move in any direction) ifs also restricted: it can move only one square! lee a a, a 8 ws ay abedefegh. In the diagram, the squares marked with dark colour are the ones that the white King can move to. As you can see, the 44START TO PLAY CHESS - King can move on files, ranks or diagonals, BUT ONLY ONE SQUARE ATA TIME. SW While the King and Queen are both free to move in any direction (files, ranks, diagonals), the King is not as powerful as the Queen, as the King can move only one square ata time. The difference is illustrated in the diagrams below: a) How the King Moves EK oe Ve UU0U.F Va UW 0 D e f gh 8 7 6 5 4| G 3 2 1 abed 45 Book One: Beginners b) How the Queen Moves -_ Vi) Yi Fe IMPORTANT NOTE Ifa square where the King wants to move to is controlled (attacked) by one or more of the opponent's pieces, then the King cannot move to that square. The King can be attacked by the opponent's pieces. If the King is under attack it is said to be “under CHECK”. One cannot move his King into check or leave it under check. See the first diagram on the text page: ‘The white King can move to 2, c1, dl, e2, elonly. It cannot move on «3, d3. and e3 because the black Rook controls (is attacking) those squares.STARTTOPLaY CHESS ~ Bock One: Beginmers If one ~ by mistake ~ move their King to those forbidden squares, they would have made an illegal move. An illegal move is a move made against the rules of the game. The Kings cannot get next to each another. There must always be at least one square separating the two Kings. abede — gh Neither King can move on to any square marked with dark colour. If either did, the Kings would be next to each others, and that is against the rules of chess. 3. HOW DOFS THE KING CAPTURE? [A YZ 8 7 21 7, - a . yy ae Z “| abedefgh White to play. The white King can’ capture the black Rook because it is not defended by another black piece. 46STARTTD Play CHEss ~ Book One: Beginners abedefga The white King cannot capture the black Rook because the black Bishop is defending the Rook. If White captures the Rook, his King would have moved into a check. That makes the capture an illegal move. 4, THE POSITIONS OF THE PAWNS abedefgh Each player has eight pawns: Whit: RRARARAAR Black £££ 22224 a7 White’s pawns start the game on the 2 rank. Black’s pawns start the game on the rank. 5. WOW DOLS THE PAWN MOVE? ‘The pawn moves straight forward one square at the time: BZ by Y Squares marked with dark are where the pawns can move: straight forward, one square only! Special case: Ifa pawn is still on its starting square [that means it has not moved before], you can choose to move that pawn one square or two squares at its first move.START TO PLAY CHEsS - Book One: Beginners The b2-pawn can move directly to the bé- fog h square, but the £3-pawn cannot move two: White to play. The white pawn can ‘squares forward as ithas already moved capture the black Knight on c5 OR the before (from £2 to £3)! black Bishop on e5. CRI ener tn ent centes The pawn can only capture DIAGONALLY. So, the pawn moves The pawn is a special piece for several straight forward, but it captures important reasons: diagonally forward: - It is the only piece that cannot B move backwards bag 3 4 - Itis the only piece that captures in ‘yf yh iy a different way than it moves 6| Z - It is the only piece that can be 5 Y, transformed into a higher-valued ‘| JRG piece through the act of promotion ely WN ie ae ak Pe 3 i, V} WU, fe ee = a conditions 2 ipture F opponent's pawn by en-passant capture. 4“The Movements of @ and & Exercises 53 - 64‘START TO PLAY CHESS abedefgh How far can the king (white or black) move in one moveonly? O two squarespermove, Callthe way up toanedge ofthe board, C onesquare at atime ‘How many squares are attacked by the white king on the diagram above? c1o6 08 abedefagh ‘Which piece can be captured with the white king in ‘one moveonly? O theblackknight the e&-pawn, D the white Spawn O theblack rook 50 abedefgh Find the fastest course for the white king, on the diagram above to reach the h7-square! abedefgh How many different legal ways are there for the white king, on the diagram above, to reach the e5-square in. two consecutive moves only? o1 0203‘START TO PLAY CHESS Hee ruare How many legal ways are there forthe white king on the diagram above to reach the d5-equare in two ‘consecutive moves only? 010203 EE a Hetiettecte ifite tia ‘Training example: white’s moves only! Find the fastest ‘way for the white king at d3 to capture the black a6- knight Answer, oo st Workbook One: Beginners LU, Yi Oh, bo. Ue YD DO Oa, A ae ‘ane BN wR nade oye Can the white king play tpetrnow? Can the black king play toet now? Can the white king play tod now? Can the black king play todd now? Can the white king play to now? Can the black king play to now? Can the white king play to d3now? Can the black king play to now? Exercise 60 sw Pa o we ae 2) ee men a Pana wt “ie a b 2 YesaNo 2 YesaNo 0 YesaNo 2 YesaNo Yes No 2 Yes oNo DYesaNo oYesaNo abedefgh Training example: whites moves only! Find the fastest ‘way for the white king at d3 to capture the black rook on bl. Answer,‘START TO PLAY CHESS ween vave abedefgh Isthis position possible to reach ina game of chess? oYesoNo How many possible moves are there for the white h2-pawn? Answer. Which squares are available for the h2-pawn? Answer. ‘Which squares are attacked by the dé-pawn? Answer. Which square is attacked by the h2-pawn? Arower. 52 Behe de abedefgh Think carefully before answering the next question! Is the position on the diagram above possible in a chess game? oYesaNo abedefgh Can the white d5-pawn capture the black ef-r00k? Yes No & Can the dS-pawn capture the e6-knight? a YesaNo Can the g3-pawn move now? cYesaNo|START TO PLAY CHESS ~ Book One: Beginners LESSON 5: EN-PASSANT (“IN-PASSING”) CAPTURE & PAWN PROMOTION NIG ren ae In French, “En-Passant” means “in passing”. The word is used to describe a special way by which a pawn captures an opponent's pawn. The En-Passant capture is not a pawn’s usual way of capture. Usually a pawn captures diagonally forward as in the example below: Usual Pawn Capture abcdefgh White to play. ‘The c5-pawn can capture the d6-pawn 33 En-passant capture is different. In the diagram below, the black pawn intends to move. The dé-square (marked with dark colour) is controlled by the white pawn. In other words, it is under the white pawn's attack, ee The black pawn has two possible moves: a) moving to d6 b) moving to d5 If the black pawn moves to d6, it can be captured by the white pawn (as usual by capturing diagonally forward). However, if the black pawn‘STARTTO PLAY CHESS - Book One: Beginners moves to d5 directly, the following position would appear: abedefgh BEFORE EN-PASSANT CAPTURE So the black pawn has PASSED through the d6-square, which was controlied by White. Despite this, the white pawn can still capture the black pawn! ‘ieee 7 | so 6 i ae aa : ; abedefgh AFTER EN-PASSANT CAPTURE 34 Tf one is in a situation in which he can capture en-passant but decides not to, then they lose the right to capture en- ene En-passant capture can take place when ail the three conditions below are met: 1. The opponent's pawn has moved two squares 2. The opponent's pawn and your own pawn are on the same rank 3. The opponent's pawn has just passed through a square controlled by your pawn passant that pawn! That means that if one wishes to capture en-passant one must do it immediately! Or wait for another chance with another opponent's pawn. Now you already know that the pawn has two ways of capturing: 1. capturing an opposing pawn or another piece diagonally forward 2. capturing an opposing pawn’that has PASSED through the square controlled by your own pawn [en- passant or “in-passing” capture].StarTTO PLAY CuEss - Book One: Beginners 3.PAWN PROMOTION, A pawn moves straight forward, one square at the time. The pawn cannot move backwards. These are the rules. When a pawn reaches the last (first) rank of the chess board, it must be promoted into another piece. ‘The pawn reached the last rank: it must be promoted into a different piece The promotion of the pawn means that the pawn gets a REWARD for travelling all the way without getting captured. The reward is to be changed into a more powerful piece. 55 ca! Weeden A pawn can be promoted into a Queen, a Rook, a Bishop, OR a Knight of the same colour as the pawn. A pawn cannot be promoted into a King or another pawn. It is not allowed to have more than one King, and there is no point in replacing one pawn with another pawn. Thus, pawn(s) can be promoted into any of the pieces below: wHAA Generally, it is very good to choose a Queen or a Rook to promote a pawn to. There are rare cases when promoting the pawn into a Knight or Bishop wins the game faster. While you can have only one King, you are allowed as many Queens, Rooks, Bishops and Knights as you can have on the board during the game. Thus if you promote all your eight pawns into eight Queens, and you still have the Queen you started out with, then you get to play with nine Queens!R En-Passant Capture Pawn Promotion Exercises 65 - 76START TO PLAY CHESS Exercise 65 abcdefgh White just played the @2-pawn to of. CL 2c), Can bladcreply with capturing the ol-pawn by playing 1_ bus, moving the black bipawn to @ and simultaneously removing the white ct-pawn off the board? 2 YesaNo ‘White ust played a pawn move a2-a. Can black reply with 1 ofS? a YesoNo After playing 1 06-<5, does black keep the right to play (pawn) bfva3 (en-passan!) later on? oYesoNo 7 Worktook One: Beginners Exercise 67 ‘a mena oes aa 8 “Eee abedefagnh ‘White just played the 2-pawn to of. (1 2-cl). Can black reply with pawn) 1 b4xc3 (en-passant)? cYesaNo om 'y tae Rese De AoZ abcdefgh ‘White just played the 2-pawn to of. (L.c2-0). CanSTARTTO PLAY CHESS ‘Atwhich rank cana white pawn be promoted to another piece? I¢, 6° or 8? YesaNo ‘At which rank can a black pawn be promoted to another piece? 15,64 or 8? aYesaNo C24 a 88 Isit possible fora white pawn to remain pawn ‘when it reaches the 8* rank? oYesaNo Isit possible fora black pawn to remain a pawn when it reaches the Istrank? DYescNo abedefgh ‘To which piece isa pawn promotion not allowed? king bishop oknight ‘What is the maximum possible number of queens ‘which one player may have? rip8o9 abedefaga Whatis the maximum possible number of rooks: which one player may have? 02 08 010START TO PLAY CHESS ‘ ER Seo Rae i ee ee ‘aa Z 2 Z| a [NEO EN Fe abedefgh acded Whatis the maximum possible number of pawns which one player may have? a8 016 Exercise 74 3 be vn Aa “a 2 | RAR aS Be EDGY Y abedefgh Whatis the maximum possible number of kings ‘which one player may have? 10209 59. Workbook One: Beginners oe ae Pa ee ses rs ‘a rata 2 : ; a ae 2) ibe etidlee Mette ln st : RS Whatis shortest number of moves fora white pawn, from its starting position, to promote itself to, for example -a queen? 210506 (One white's pawn is atts stat position a the 22- ‘square, as can be seen on the diagram above. During, the course ofa chess game, can this a2-pawn possibly be promoted toa piece on the far away — p8-square? pYesaNoSTARTTO PLAY CHESS - Book One: Beginners LESSON 6: CHECK, CHECKMATE, STALEMATE The main purpose of the game is to checkmate the opponent's King, The player who checkmates wins the game. Thus, it is very important that your actions have the same final goal: to checkmate the opponent's King! CHECK is an attack upon the King by an opposing piece. When a King is in the range of action of an opposing piece, that King is said to be “in check”, However, the King is NOT trapped (checkmated) yet. abedefgh The black King is in CHECK from the white Rook on e1 When a player's King is in check, that player must make a move to get out of check, This means that after their next move, their King should not be in check. In the diagram below, the black King is in check so it must be moved where there is no check, The available squares are marked with dark colour in the diagram below: HR wR MAN Se abcdefgh The Black King can move only to squares 5.[6,f7 or d5, d6, d7. There are several ways to defend against (or to get out of) a check. Such cases are briefly explained below:START TO PLay CHESS - Book One: Beginners 2. Block the check by placing a piece between the attacking piece [Rook] and the attacked piece [King]. Bishop at c8 moves to e6. HERR AV@ sn Ui, ‘The white Rook checks the King, How Mt is one to defend the black King? ZU Wi abedefgh Deere Pee ee 3. Move the checked King to a safe square. 1. Capture the attacking piece [Rook]. Zz = s[ J, RZ] Bishop at £8 captures the Rook at h6. 7 G 6 a J 5 GY 4 -< : i wom J 2D a a 2 1 Z abcdefgh The black King can move to ¢7, d7, or €7 ONLY. It cannot move to c5, &5 [because of the white Bishop] nor to e6 because it will still be under check by the Rook. abedefagh 61START TO Play CHEss - Book One: Beginners It’s important to understand: During the game one must choose the best defence against a check. Ifthere are choices to be made, one must think and decide which move (defence) is the best. Ifone makes a move but his Kings still under check, that will be an illegal mave! They haveto go back (“rewind”) and make a legal move. petra ener) CHECKMATE = the King is under check, and IT IS TRAPPED! It cannot move anywhere, and there is no way to defend it The player who gets checkmated loses the game. Checkmate = “the King is trapped” Black to move. The black King is checkmated bay the white Rook 62 It is checked by the white Rook on h8 and it cannot move to the 7” rank, because the other white Rook i controlling that rank! Thus, the black Kingiis trapped. White wins: 1-0, ‘The system of scoring: Win = one point(1) Loss =no point (0) Draw = half point (2) 3. SUALLNINU STALEMATE =the King is NOT under check, but it CANNOT move any more. The King is stuck. The result of the game is EQUAL=DRAW. 3; EF FD he | i me eran VY, Uo, A Vo i, Oo, oe | a 'Z 7 & 7 oe Black to move. The black King is NOT in check, butit cannot move. This isa stalemate! a. “ua “SS tat s .. w aM ate .START TO PLAY CHESS ~ Book One: Beginners ‘A game can end in a draw. Stalemate is ‘one way by which the game is drawn. If a stalemate happens each player shares the point equally. ~ You must understand the following critical difference: When one has more [or stronger] pieces than the opponent, they must AVOID stalemate. They must seek checkmate in order to win. BUT if one is the weaker side (they have fewer pieces and are about to lose) and they reach a stalemate position, they saved the game! They get 2 point. Deere Here is an example of why a beginner student should never give up (resign) too soon, but instead always try to be creative. In the diagram below, White is in a disadvantage: he has only a Rook and a pawn and the opponent has a Queen and a pawn. Yet White finds a brilliant way to save the game and get a draw by stalemate! 63 7 fe eee ne ta z oa 2 ye ae é LE) abedefgh The white Rook moves to b8 and checks the King! If the King takes the Rook, then White is stalemated and gets a draw. If the King doesn't capture the Rook, checks are repetead! 8 Y © "YU YD 6 a Y “we W i 1-8 3 4 UV, Pane Vie 7 IV GZZ abcecdefgh Stalemate ideas can save the game!@ Check Checkmate Stalemate Exercises 77 - 94Blackto play. Target give check to the white kingin wh MOT & START TO PLAY CHESS ‘one move only. How? Answer, 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 White to play. Target defend from check! How? Answer, Exercise 78 ERS Oh a) a a2 gm ime ta - z pease abedefgh e Workbook One: Beginners Beercise79 a es a ae. as RG ] ae i abedefgh Black to play. Target give white a double check in one ‘move! How? Answer, g (ie VN S “aSTART TO PLAY CHESS Black to play. Target checkmate the whiteking in one move only! How? Black to play. Target: givea check io the white king in ‘onemove only! How? Answer: ‘What is the name of such a check? Discovered check a 19 double check abedcefgh Black to play. a ‘one move onl abedefgh Whitt play. Target checkmate the black kingin one move only! How? Answer.START TO PLAY CHESS Workbook One: Beginners Z Ee ws aaa 00 Ss "5 7s — ys Hee e wave a = ye abedefgh F abedefgh White to play. Target: checkmate the black king in. ‘one move only! How? White to play. Target checkmate the black king in one move only! How? Answer, Answer, Exercise 88 ete Wa a La, lle, lad. oat a ean yo oo | abedefgh BRR Bade ‘White to play. Target checkmate the black kingin onemoveanly! How? ‘White to play. Target: checkmate the black kingin one move only! How? Answer, Answer o7‘START 70 PLay CHESS Workbook One: Beginners ie a = a | 27 2 abedefgh abedefgh White to play. Target: checkmate the black king in Black to play. If the black queen captures the white ‘one move only! How? bishop, would the game end ina stalemate? Yes cNo Answer: abcdefgh* White to play If black were to play, it would be stalemate already! Name all the white moves now, ‘that result in a stalemate: Answer,Start To Pray CHESS Workbook One: Beginners abedefgh abedefgh ‘White to play. [f black were to play, it would be ‘White to play and checkmate black in one move only! stalemate already! Name all legal white moves now, How? that donot resultin a stalemate! Answer. Answer: 69START TO PLAY CHESS - Book One: Beginners LESSON 7: OTHER WAYS TO WIN AND DRAW 1.OTHE Other than checkmate, there are other ways to win a game: - by resignation of the opponent - win on TIME [when playing with a chess clock] 1. “1RESIGN” It can happen that the opponent does not wish to play until he gets checkmated once he sees that his position is without hope. Thus, it is possible for him to give up the game by saying “I RESIGN”. This would make the other player the winner of the game. Usually, players shake hands at the beginning and the end of every chess game. So, “I resign” is usually followed by your opponent putting out a hand to congratulate his opponent for a well-played game. 70 At this stage is important to make students understand that even if the position on the chessboard Jooks lost, they still must try to play until checkmate. One good reason to do so is that there is the possibility of a stalemate instead of checkmate. 2. Winning “on TIME” Usually a toumament chess game is played with a timer, called a “chess Ma, ~ Mm On Each game has a time limit. Both players have the same amount of time to finish the game. The chess clock helps tg keep track of how much time each player has left to finish the game. If the game is not finished and one player's time is up, that player may lose on time. He has exceeded the time limit.STARTTO PLAY CHESS ~ Book One: Beginners A game of chess may end in a draw in the following ways: 1. Stalemate - if the player on turn has no legal move but is not in check, this is called stalemate and the game ends in a draw 2, Mutual agreement - a player may offer a draw to his opponent at any stage of a game. If the opponent accepts, the game ends ina draw. 3. Threefold repetition - if an identical position has occurred three times, or will occur after the player on turn makes his move, the player on move may claim a draw (note that in this case the draw is not automatic - a player must claim it). ‘A position is considered identical to another if the same player is on move, the same pieces of the same colour occupy the same squares, and the same moves are available to each player (each player having the same castling and en passant pawn capturing rights) 4, Fifty move rule - if at least 50 moves (by each side) have passed with no pawn being moved and no capture being made, a draw may be claimed. (Again, 7 the draw is not automatic, a player must claim it) 5. Impossibility of checkmate - if a position arises in which neither player could possibly give checkmate by a series of legal moves, the game is a draw. Positions with insufficient material to checkmate are: ~ King versus King - King and Bishop versus King - King and Knight versus King - King and too Knights versus King - King and Bishop versus King and Bishop with the bishops of the same colour. It is popularly considered that perpetual check - where one player gives a series of checks from which the other player cannot escape - is a draw. However, any perpetual check situation will eventually be claimable as a draw either under the 50 move rule or by three-fold repetition. In games played with a time control, if both players have exceeded their time allotment, the game isa draw. A draw is daimable if the opponent is merely attempting to win on time, or cannot possibly win except on time. It isSTARTTO PLAY CHESS - Book One: Beginners for the arbiter to decide whether such a daim is granted or not. A player with king and bishop can daim a win on time against an opponent with king and knight, whose clock flag has fallen, because a mating position can be produced by a series of legal moves: HN wR WA @ abcdefgh Possible mating position for Black White, to play, is checkmated. 72Other ways to win & draw Exercises 95 - 106STARTTO PLAY CHESS @ - ha ag mewen “Ss e King vs king, White or black to play, is this a forced draw? aYes No King & bishop vs. King & bishop. White or black to play, is this a forced draw? oes No King & knight vs king & knight. White or black to play, is this a forced draw? aYes No 4START TO PLAY CHESS abedefgh King & bishop vs. king & bishop. White or black to play, is this a forced draw? wwe wee a mee aa oe Seneca etitgia King & queen vs. king & queen. White or black to play, is thisa forced draw? Answer. Workbook One: Beginmers ln YS OEE aw y u a eo. ee Hee euarve Black to play and defend from check Blackis one ‘queen up and hopes to win! Can white, with skilful play, force a draw anyway, being a whole queen @ points) down? aes No Exercise 102 mee | King & pawn vs. king & pawn. White or black to play, is this a forced draw? Yes No 75START TO Play CHESS ‘White or Black to play. Ina game played using chess. dlodks, may white summon thearbiter and daim a draw based on the fact that white hasa huge material ea AweRaAE eta tcret woe me g ‘e aE abedefgh Black to play. Black has a winning position (25 points up) but his flag falls (in a game played using chess doc! How will the game end? 0 Black wins 2 Draw 13 White wins 76 Rew eevare abedefagh King é knight vs. king Whiteor black to play. Can. ‘white play on, hoping to win? Yes oNo Exercise 106 abedefgh ‘King & two knights vs. king. White or black to play. (Can white play on, hoping to win? oes No ‘How many moves can white try doing it, before the game is dedareda draw? Answer: What must black do to lose this endgame? ‘Answer. sStaRTTO Play CHESS - Book One: Beginners LESSON 8: CASTLING Castling is the only time when a player can move two pieces at the same time [the King and the Rook]. Castling takes place by moving the King and one Rook like this: - the King moves two squares in a straight line towards the Rook, and - the Rook “jumps” over the King landing on the square next to the King. During castling, the King and the Rook move ina special way! Before castling BEA 7 ZZ “nr ¢ After castling oe VU 3 GY GD VG. oa Go 22 Zee | abedefgh The King can castle with either Rook. There are two types of castling: a) short castling (also called “kingside castling”) b) Tong casting (also called “queenside castling”) The chess board has.a “kingside” and a “queenside”: ~ Theone on the right (from White's angle) is called “the kingside” [files ef, gand hl]. - The one on the left (from White's angle) is called “the queenside” [files a, b, cand d]. 7START TO PLAY CHESS - Book One: Beginners abedefgh If the white King moves to the right after castling, it is called Kingside castling. It is also called “short castling” as the King is nearer to the Rook at hl than to the Rook atal. I the King moves to the left after castling, it is called queenside castling. It is also called “long casting” as the King is farther from the Rook at hl than from the Rook ata: a [Short] Castling i “a ae : Bata ge Ee ee a7 he [Long] Castling YW, i, Ui, 0 a Bs ae ae i fea abedefgh 78 Two good reasons for castling: 1. The King will be safer. 2. The Rooks come into play fast sometimes with an immediate impact upon the opponent's uncastled King: ee gh It is imperative that students understand not only the reasons for castling but also the best timing to do so: early in the game! Casting CANNOT take place when: 1. The King or the Rook has moved before: Ifa player's King was moved before and, subsequently, arrived back on its originalSTARTTO PLAY CHESS - Book One: Beginners square [el or e8}, that particular player lost the right to castle. The same applies to one of the Rooks: if a Rook was moved before, castling cannot take place with that particular Rook even if it arrived back on its original square [al/hI; 28/h8]. 2. The King is under check: 1 =e | ae. ote abcecdefgh The black King cannot castle. It is under CHECK from the Bishop on h5. 3. A square between the King and the Rook is under attack. When the King passes through that square, it is in CHECK. See diagram below: White to play. The white King CANNOT castle short as the black Bishop is controlling (attacking) the fl-square. 79Castling Exercises 107 - 118START TO Pay CHESS Black to play. Can black castle queenside? Yes oNo Can black castle Kingside? Yes oNo ‘White to play. Can White castle queenside? Yes No Can White castle kingside? oYes oNo Is white allowed to castle in the future? oYes oNo 81 Workbook One: Beginners ‘White to play! Can white castle now? oes No Black to play! The black king and the h8-rook have not played yet! Can black castle now? Yes. No Black to move. Can black castle queensice now? aYes cNo Black tomove. Can black castle kingside now? a Yes aNo Does white still have the right to castle? oYes aNo‘START TO Play CHESS Exercise 111 ‘White to move! The white king and two white rooks have not played until now! On the next move, can he castle only or: nqueenside abedef gh White to move! The white king and two white rooks have not played until now! On the next move, can white castle: Geannotcastleat al! Doqueenside — okingside 82 Black to move! The black king and two black rooks hhave not played until now! On the next move, black cancastle cannot easte at al! coqueenside —okingside Exercise 114 sana ee wes abedefgnh Black to move! The black king and two bld&k rooks have not played until now! On the next move, black can castle: cannot caste ata! oqueenside — okingsideSTART TO PLAY CHESS abedefgh Black to move! The black king and two black rooks have not played until now! On the next move, black can castle: Beannot castle at all! oqueenside — akingside Exercise 116 abede tl gh White to move! The white king and two white rooks shave not played until now! On the next move, white caneastle: cannot castle at all! coqueenside — okingside Workbook One: Beginners Exercise 117 ma a mel eeu Rade Black to move! The black king and two black rooks have not played until now! On the next move, black cancastle: cannot caste ata! aqueenside —okingside Exercise 118 a mm Oe GUY. 4 4 3 2 1 abedefgh ‘White to play and checkmate black in one move only! How? Under what conditions can it be done? Answer: 83STARTTO PLAY CHESS - Book One: Beginners LESSON 9: THE VALUE OF THE CHESS PIECES Pera etnn fm Some chess pieces are stronger than others. In any case, you should treasure and respect all of them. Piece Symbol Points King ® Queen wy Rook BR Bishop A Knight 4) Pawn £ rR Ov Gd UI\O The King cannot be captured so one Queen is the most powerful, cannot put points to it Players must _‘the Rookisnext. MUST take great care of their King since The PAWN is the least valuable piece if itis checkmated (trapped), the game is BUT IT CAN BE PROMOTED to a more lost valuable piece! NO other piece can do that. 84STARTTO PLAY CHESS ~ Book One: Beginners Gut a Ui, 8) seeder Pe a abedefgh White to move Black has 10 pts [t¥+ft], but White, to move, can promote his cpawn to a Queen and have the same points as Black [BY + #=10 pts]. The Bishop and the Knight are approximately equal (3 points each). I is imperative to remember the value of the pieces and even toa loss of the game. BUT remember: Although the value stem given above is ls the true value of the pieces can increase or decrease during a game. 85 Do not trade (exchange) higher value pieces for lower value ones! Instructive example 1: ae oe ee oe es mata a ee ; ent , BN eR HOY ® Black has: & + Y¥=9 pts White has: + & + @=6 pts Is it good for Black to capture the white Rook? Answer, NO! The a5- pawn protects the Rook and will in tur capture the Queen. Black would give up 9 pts for only 5. THIS CAPTURE IS NOT GOOD FOR BLACK. To rationalize like this, you must think at least one move ahead at all time!