Chess is more than just a board game; it's a centuries-old battle of strategy and wits. Played on an 8x8 grid, each player commands an army with different pieces, each having its own unique movement.

• Board Setup
  • The chessboard consists of 64 squares in an 8x8 grid.
  • Each player starts with 16 pieces: 1 king, 1 queen, 2 rooks, 2 knights, 2 bishops, and 8 pawns.
  
  
  • The board should be oriented so that each player has a white square on their right-hand side.
  • Rooks are placed on the corners, knights next to them, followed by bishops. The queen is placed on her matching color, and the king takes the remaining square.
• Objective
  • The primary aim is to checkmate the opponent’s king, which means the king is under attack and cannot make a move without remaining under attack.
• Piece Movement
  • Pawn: Moves forward one square but captures diagonally.
  • Knight: Moves in an ‘L’ shape – two squares in one direction and then one square perpendicular or vice versa.
  • Bishop: Moves diagonally across the board.
  • Rook: Moves horizontally or vertically
  • Queen: Combines the power of the rook and bishop, moving horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
  • King: Moves one square in any direction.
• Special Moves
  • Castling: A move involving the king and either rook, where the king moves two squares towards the rook, and the rook then moves to the square the king skipped over.
  • Pawn En Passant: If a pawn moves two squares from its starting position and lands beside an opponent's pawn, the opponent has the option to capture the first pawn "en passant" as if it had moved only one square forward.
  • Pawn Promotion: When a pawn reaches the opposite end of the board, it can be promoted to any other piece, usually a queen.
• End of the Game
  • Checkmate: If a king is in check and cannot escape capture, it's checkmated and the game ends.
  • Stalemate: The game is drawn if a player has no legal moves left and their king isn’t in check.
  • Draw: The game can also end in a draw under conditions like insufficient material or a repeated position.

• Check: The king is under direct threat.
• Checkmate: The king is in check and cannot escape, resulting in the end of the game.
• Stalemate: No legal moves available, and the game ends in a draw.
• Pawn Promotion: When a pawn reaches the opposite end of the board, it can be promoted to any other piece (usually a queen).
• En Passant: A special pawn capture that happens when a pawn moves two squares forward from its starting position, landing beside an opponent's pawn. The opponent can capture it as if it moved only one square.
• Castling: A move that involves the king and either rook. The king moves two squares towards the rook, and the rook moves to the square the king passed.
• Opening: The initial sequence of moves in a chess game. Many openings have specific names, such as the Sicilian Defence or the King's Gambit.
• Endgame: The phase of the game where most pieces have been captured, and players focus on promoting pawns and checkmating the opponent.

• Control the Center: The central squares (d4, e4, d5, e5) are crucial. By controlling the center, you dictate the game's pace and limit your opponent's movement.
• Develop Early: In the opening, focus on getting your knights and bishops into the game, rather than moving the same piece multiple times or advancing many pawns.
• King Safety: Always ensure your king's safety. Castle early and avoid leaving your king exposed to threats.
• Think Ahead: Instead of just thinking one move at a time, try to plan several moves in advance. Envision potential responses from your opponent.
• Avoid Blunders: Always double-check your moves to ensure you aren't leaving a piece en prise (unguarded and open to capture).
• Understand Value: Familiarize yourself with the relative value of pieces. For instance, a queen is more valuable than a rook or bishop.
• Master Common Openings: Understanding popular opening strategies, like the Queen's Gambit or the Ruy-Lopez, can give you an edge in the early game.