Every chess game begins with 16 pieces per side — each with a unique movement pattern, strength, and role. Understanding how they move and work together is the first step toward mastering the game.
Pawns move forward one square, but capture diagonally. On their first move, they may advance two squares. When a pawn reaches the opposite end of the board, it can promote — usually to a queen.
Piece value: 1 point
Tip: Use pawns to control the center and open lines for your pieces.
Knights move in an L-shape: two squares in one direction, then one at a right angle. They can jump over other pieces, making them especially tricky in crowded positions.
Piece value: 3 points
Tip: Knights are strongest near the center, where they control up to eight squares.
Bishops move any number of squares diagonally, staying on the same color. Each side starts with one light-squared bishop and one dark-squared bishop.
Piece value: 3 points
Tip: Avoid locking your bishops behind pawns of the same color.
Rooks move any number of squares vertically or horizontally. They dominate open files and work especially well together in the endgame.
Piece value: 5 points
Tip: Place rooks on open files to attack or support your other pieces.
The queen combines the movement of the rook and bishop — moving any number of squares in any direction. Losing your queen early is usually disastrous, so coordinate her attacks carefully.
Piece value: 9 points
Tip: Bring the queen into action after your minor pieces are developed.
The king can move one square in any direction. If the king is attacked (“in check”), it must move, block, or capture to escape — if it cannot, the game ends with checkmate.
Piece value: Infinite — you lose the game if it’s checkmated.
Tip: Castle early to safeguard your king and connect your rooks.
| Piece | Symbol | Value | Movement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pawn | ♙ | 1 | Forward (captures diagonally) |
| Knight | ♞ | 3 | L-shape, can jump over pieces |
| Bishop | ♗ | 3 | Diagonal any distance |
| Rook | ♖ | 5 | Straight any distance |
| Queen | ♕ | 9 | Diagonal or straight any distance |
| King | ♔ | ∞ | One square any direction |