Did you like the Queen's Gambit? Learn chess from scratch!

Although chess has simple rules, it is not an easy game. However, anyone who has three things can become a chess player: a little patience, a little time, and a chessboard with a full set of pieces. Both Magnus Carlsen (the reigning world chess champion) and the famous Garry Kasparov (world champion 1985-1993) learned to play chess from scratch and went through the same stages of learning as all novice chess players. Even Beth Harmon, the protagonist of the King's Gambit series, cannot be an exception to this rule.

You don't need to read tons of books to understand the principles and history behind this. logic board game. However, it is worth knowing that its origin goes back to India in the XNUMXth century AD. The oldest surviving fragments of figures are made of ivory, gradually replaced by other materials (wooden or metal chess pieces appeared). Not only the materials of the chessboard and pieces were developed, but also the rules of the game themselves - they became more and more elaborate. Gradually, the popularity of chess spread to Europe - especially they were common among the clergy, who, after labors and prayers, spent their free time studying their constantly evolving rules. For centuries, chess has won the hearts of rulers, kings, the mighty of this world and the townspeople, and then became world-class entertainment. The phenomenon of this game is described in a huge number of books available, describing its history along with specific gameplay strategies.

Technical features, i.e. the arrangement of the chessboard and pieces

Now that the short introduction to the story is over, it's time to move on to the technical aspects. Let's start with the chessboard. To place pieces on it, place it between two players so that the front rows for each player end in a dark square on the left. Additional help can be provided by the letters and numbers of individual rows, which are often placed on the board. After its correct positioning, you can proceed to the next stage: placing the figures on the appropriate fields.

The Art of Symmetry: Starting Positions in Chess

Remembering the basic location of individual risers is definitely easier than you might think. To correctly arrange the pieces, you need to know all their types, namely: pawns, rooks, knights, bishops, queen and king. The first ones are on the first line of fire - each player must place eight pieces in the second row from their point of view (that is, the second and seventh according to the numbering on the board). Then you can proceed to the arrangement of the remaining figures, filling the rows closest to the players.

You also need to follow the rules of symmetry: the two extreme fields of the first row are occupied by towers (they are easy to recognize thanks to the “medieval” stylization), and the other two extreme fields (approaching the middle of the first row) are occupied by a pair of lintels depicting horses. Then, still going to the center of the row, we place two bishops - the last identical pair of pieces. We are left with a king and a queen, the first of which is the eldest of all pawns and usually has a carved cross on its crown. In this case, a strict rule applies: the player must place his queen on a converging field (black is on a dark field, and white is on a light one). The only space left is the most important part of the board: the king. And he's ready! The first stage of preparation for a chess game is over.

How is chess played? By what principle do individual figures move?

It is enough to place the pieces on the playing field several times in order to remember the starting positions. A little more information should be absorbed when you learn about the movements and methods of attack of each piece. Anyone who wants to learn how to play chess and has a little patience can easily master it.

Pawns. Privates with a twist

As we already mentioned, pawns are usually the first fire and in most games they start the whole game with them. They move forward one square and, unlike all other pieces, cannot move backward. In addition, they have the possibility of a special move: the first action of a given pawn during the game can include a move two squares forward. They knock down opponents standing near their diagonal position - and, as with movement, it's only about leaning forward. The rest of the moves follow the normal rules, one square ahead. One last thing to remember about this topic: pawns are the only pieces that attack, other than they move.

Towers. distant and dangerous

These figures move only horizontally and vertically. They pose a great danger to the opponent when there is no pawn on the file on which they stand. In this case, their field of destruction extends very far, and they can break into enemy territory.

Jumpers. Great for surprise attacks

As their name suggests, they are agile and unpredictable. They move in an L-shape, that is, two spaces forward and then one space left or right. This movement pattern can be implemented in all directions vertically and horizontally. The last move space is also where they attack. It is the only piece that can jump over other pieces.

bishops. Basis of the offensive

They move and attack only diagonally. Thanks to this, they are very mobile and have the ability to quickly change the part of the board on which they are located.

hetman. The most powerful weapon in the chess arsenal

The queen with the highest offensive value is a combination of the bishop move and the rook attack. This means that it moves and hits other pieces horizontally, vertically and diagonally (forward and backward). Hetman is an element of the so-called. queen's gambit, the chess opening from which the name of the series "Queen's Gambit" is derived (the name "queen" is used as a synonym for the term "queen").

King. The slowest and most valuable

The most important piece in chess moves like a queen (in all directions), but always only one square. It can be checked, that is, put in the range of the enemy figure. Then our task is to eliminate the threat (capture the enemy piece or cover the king) or the escape of the king. It is worth remembering that he cannot move to the firing arc of other enemy pieces. If checkmate is trapped with no way out, checkmate follows and the game is over.

Special movements

Finally, it is worth mentioning two well-known chess situations and one less well-known one. The first is castling: if we have not yet moved the rook and the king, and at the same time there are no other pieces between them and the king itself is not in check, we can move the king two cells to the left or right, and then on the other side of it we set the nearest tower. This is a popular strategy to increase the security of this figure.

In addition, it is worth remembering one of the most exciting situations - promotion of a pawn. If one of them reaches the row farthest from our point of view (the first row of the opponent), we can exchange it for any other chess piece, except for the king. Then we get the opportunity to have, for example, two queens, which greatly increases our chances of winning.

A slightly less well-known rule is the ability to capture in flight. This applies to pawns, but only to those that have already moved a total of three squares from their original position. If the opponent with his pawn from the adjacent line moves forward two squares, and thus crosses the space "controlled" by our pawn, then we can capture him diagonally, as we usually do, despite the fact that he is standing on one square further. It is important to note that this capture can only be made immediately after the opponent has moved his pawn. On the next turn, this is no longer possible.

All these rules are easily and in detail described in many books and guides in our offer. Thanks to them, you can significantly speed up the initial stage of training, as well as learn not only the basic rules, but also openings and general strategies for performing movements.

What are the benefits of learning to play chess?

It is widely believed that playing chess improves analytical skills, has a positive effect on the intellect of children and adults, and helps to solve problems more effectively. Some research shows that this game can positively influence the ability of, among other things, logical and strategic thinking, although we still don't know exactly how. One thing is for sure: when playing chess, you must first of all protect your king, develop your own strategies and not be afraid of failure. It is worth taking care of technical issues and having such a solidly made chessboard with pieces that will last for many years - in our offer everyone will find a set suitable for their needs, for playing with friends or family.

In order for chess games to bring us as much pleasure as possible, it is worth reading books about this game, including versions for children. These include suggested playing strategies and so-called chess openings (that is, representative sequences of opening moves). Although no books will teach us how to win at chess every time, we will find a lot of interesting tips in them.

And who knows, maybe chess will become first a hobby, then a passion, and then a profession, as it was with Beth Harmon? All you need is a little determination and creative thinking, the spark of which is in everyone. Check if you are a brilliant chess player!

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