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Chess Guide & FAQ
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Chess Guide & FAQ

Platform FAQ

How do I play a random match online?

Select your preferred time control (e.g., 1 min Bullet, 3 min Blitz) on the homepage and click Find Match. Our system will pair you with an available opponent worldwide.

How do I challenge a friend to a private match?

Click Challenge Friend on the homepage to generate a private 5-character room code or link. Share the link or room code with your friend to start playing instantly.

Can I play vs computer offline?

Yes! Select With Computer on the homepage. You can choose Easy, Medium, or Hard difficulty. Computer practice runs 100% offline in your browser and does not affect your rating.

Chess Rules & Piece Movement

Chess is played on an 8x8 grid between White and Black. White always moves first.

  • King (♔/♚): Moves 1 square in any direction. The most vital piece — if your King is trapped (Checkmate), the game ends.
  • Queen (♕/♛): The most powerful piece. Moves any number of squares along rows, columns, or diagonals.
  • Rook (♖/♜): Moves any number of squares horizontally or vertically.
  • Bishop (♗/♝): Moves any number of squares diagonally. Each Bishop stays on its starting color (light or dark squares).
  • Knight (♘/♞): Moves in an "L-shape" (2 squares one direction, 1 square perpendicular). The only piece that can jump over other pieces.
  • Pawn (♙/♟): Moves forward 1 square (or 2 squares on its first move). Captures diagonally forward 1 square.

Special Rules

Castling

Castling allows you to safeguard your King and activate your Rook in one move. Requirements: Neither the King nor the chosen Rook has moved yet, all squares between them are empty, and the King is not currently in check or passing through check.

En Passant

When an opposing Pawn moves 2 squares forward from its starting position and lands directly alongside your Pawn, you can capture it diagonally "in passing" on your very next turn.

Pawn Promotion

When a Pawn reaches the furthest rank (8th rank for White, 1st rank for Black), it immediately promotes to a Queen, Rook, Bishop, or Knight of your choice.

Essential Tactics & Opening Principles

Opening Golden Rules

  • Control the center squares (e4, d4, e5, d5).
  • Develop your Knights and Bishops early.
  • Castle early to protect your King.
  • Avoid moving the same piece multiple times in the opening.

Basic Tactical Motifs

  • Fork: One piece attacks two or more enemy pieces simultaneously (Knights excel at forks).
  • Pin: An attacking piece threatens a valuable target, pinning an intervening piece in place.
  • Skewer: A line attack forcing a valuable piece to move, exposing a secondary piece behind it.
→ Interactive Chess Academy→ Daily Tactics & Puzzles→ Practice vs Computer