♚ Play Your First Game of Chess – Step-by-Step Tutorial

This simple five-move game demonstrates how fast chess principles can lead to a checkmate if the opponent ignores king safety. We’ll play the Italian Game, where both players develop naturally — until one mistake ends the game!

♟️ Step 1 – Control the Center

White opens with 1. e4, taking control of the center and freeing the queen and bishop. Black replies 1... e5, mirroring White’s control.

1. e4 e5 – Both sides claim the center (Gold arrows).

♞ Step 2 – Develop Knights

White develops the kingside knight with 2. Nf3, attacking the pawn on e5. Black defends it naturally with 2... Nc6.

2. Nf3 Nc6 – Knights come out to fight for the center.

♗ Step 3 – Bring Out the Bishop

White plays 3. Bc4, targeting the weak f7 square near Black’s king. Black mirrors the move with 3... Bc5, a logical developing choice.

3. Bc4 Bc5 – Bishops aim at the enemy King's weak spots.

♕ Step 4 – The Queen Joins the Attack

White plays 4. Qh5, threatening both the f7 pawn and the e5 pawn. Black plays the blunder 4... Nf6??, overlooking the direct checkmate threat.

4. Qh5 (threatens mate!) ... Nf6?? (misses the threat).

♛ Step 5 – Checkmate!

White captures on f7 with the queen: 5. Qxf7#. The f7 square was weakly defended, and the bishop on c4 supports the queen for a quick checkmate.

5. Qxf7# – Checkmate! The Bishop (c4) protects the Queen.

✅ Summary

Control the center early with e4 and e5.
Develop knights and bishops toward the center.
Always defend the f7 and f2 squares near your king!
Beware of early queen attacks when your king is uncastled.

💡 Tip for Beginners

Try playing this exact game against a friend or computer. If you’re on the Black side, practice defending properly with 4... Qe7 or 4... g6 to avoid the quick mate.