Intro to 1.e4 Defenses for Black (1...e6, 1...c6, and 1...d5)
If Black meets 1.e4 with a move other than e5 or c5, the main idea will be to place a pawn on d5. 1...d5 is possible, but...
Intro to 1.e4 Defenses for Black (1...e5 and 1...c5)
The most common responses to 1.e4 are those that guard the d4 square. Black usually plays 1...e5 or 1...c5 to prevent White...
1. d4 Openings for Beginners (White)
The most popular alternative to 1.e4 is 1.d4. One of the main openings after d4 is the Queen's Gambit, which goes 1.d4 d5...
1. e4 Openings for Beginners (White)
One of the most common opening moves is 1.e4. Black's most solid response is 1...e5. The game frequently continues with...
1. d4 Openings for Beginners (Black)
When playing against 1.d4 most players prevent White from playing e4 with 1...Nf6 or 1...d5. If you play 1...d5 and White...
Pieces Working Together
Like in team sports, all of your pieces should work together for success in chess! One powerful piece will not be able to...
Using Your King
Early in the game you will want to castle the king to safety. In the endgame you want to use the king to help escort pawns...
Using Your Queen
Queens are very powerful, but you must be careful not to lose her for less valuable pieces. For that reason, queens often...
Using Your Rooks
Put your rooks on open files, where they won't be blocked by pawns. Rooks are also good on semi-open files, attacking opposing...
Using Your Knights
Knights are best in the center, where they can control up to eight squares. Knights work well with queens and also do a...
Using Your Bishops
Bishops are most useful when controlling long, unblocked diagonals. Bishops are particularly useful when you have both of...
Using Your Pawns
Pawns have four primary uses. 1. Pawns can control key squares, such as the center. If your pawns control the center the...
Checkmate in 2 Moves
It's helpful to look at all of the checks for each side and see if there are checkmates or other tactics available on the...
King Safety
Never forget to protect your most important piece, the king. A material advantage doesn't matter if there's checkmate. Be...
Weak Targets: f2 and f7
The f2 and f7 pawns are only defended by the king in the starting position, so it can be subject to attack. If you can attack...
Back Rank Checkmates
Castling is a good idea, but if the king is on the back rank without other pieces to defend it, it may be vulnerable to...
Don't Just Check
Attacking the king is great - but it's not always the right move. Be patient. Make sure that a check accomplishes a goal,...
Pawn Race
When both sides only have kings and pawns it's essential to count how many moves each side will take to promote. Usually...
Skewers
A skewer occurs when one piece attacks an opposing piece, that has a less valuable piece behind it, that can be captured...
Piling Up
Once you have pinned a piece, it can't or shouldn't move. Frequently the best way to take advantage of this situation is...
Pins
A pin occurs when a piece is under attack and cannot move without exposing a more valuable piece to capture. An absolute...
Forks
A great way to win material is to attack more than one piece at a time with one of your own. This technique is known as...
Counting Captures
It's usually a good idea to capture something if you have more attacking pieces than the opponent has defending pieces....
Tactics and Hanging Pieces
Tactics are the types of moves you can use to gain an immediate advantage. One way to get an advantage is to capture hanging,...
The Value Of The Pieces
Each piece has a numerical value that can help you evaluate whether exchanging it makes sense. Pawns = 1. Knights = 3. Bishops...