How To Play: Chess

Overview

If you want to crush your buddy in chess, you’re in the right place. After way too many late-night matches (and a few too many snacks), I’ve put together this handy guide. Here, you’ll find a quick outline of the chess rules and the best tips I’ve learned for winning the game. By the end, you’ll know exactly How To Play two player chess game like a pro—or at least better than me!

What’s in the box

• 1 chessboard
• 1 white king
• 1 black king
• 1 white queen
• 1 black queen
• 2 white bishops
• 2 black bishops
• 2 white knights
• 2 black knights
• 2 white rooks
• 2 black rooks
• 8 white pawns
• 8 black pawns

How To Play Chess: Rules Summary

Setup

1. Place the chessboard so each player has a white square at the right corner.
2. Next, set up your pieces: rooks in the corners, knights next to rooks, bishops next to knights, queen on her matching color, and king on the last square.
3. Your pawns go in a line on the second row in front of your other pieces.

Gameplay

1. White moves first, starting the game. Then players take turns moving one piece at a time.
2. Each piece moves in a unique way. For example, knights jump in an L-shape, bishops zip along diagonals.
3. Capture your opponent’s pieces by landing on their square. But you can’t move onto your own pieces.
4. The main goal is to keep your king safe and try to threaten the other person’s king.

Winning

1. Checkmate is your ticket to victory — it happens when the other player’s king is under attack and can’t escape.
2. If neither side can checkmate, or a player can’t move and is not in check, it’s a draw (nobody wins, nobody cries).

Special Rules & Conditions

1. Pawns promote to any piece (except king) when they hit the other side. Yes, you can have a chess army full of queens!
2. Castling lets you swap your king two steps toward a rook, and that rook hops next to him. This keeps your king safe — unless you try to castle through check, then it’s a no-go.
3. En passant is a sneaky pawn rule. If a pawn moves two squares forward and lands beside your pawn, you can capture it “en passant” as if it only moved one square.

If you want to know How To Play two player chess game, these rules set you on your way. Trust me, after a few games with my friends (including some accidental blunders and a lot of laughter), we learned to love both winning and losing at chess.

Best Chess Strategies

Master the Start: Opening Principles for Chess Victory

Claim the Center Fast

1. Move your pawns to control e4, d4, e5, or d5 squares.
2. Place pieces so they support your central pawns.

My friend Tim once ignored this, and I conquered his camp before he blinked!

Get Your Pieces Out Early

1. Develop knights before bishops for quicker board control.
2. Avoid moving the same piece twice unless it wins material.

Every time Dave kept fiddling with his queen early, I feasted on his helpless pawns.

Protect Your King

1. Castle as soon as it’s safe.
2. Avoid leaving your king in the center, it’s like standing in traffic!

By using these ideas, you’ll always get a good start in a two player chess game. Remember, knowing How To Play two player chess game well starts with a strong opening.

Move Those Pieces: Outplaying Opponents with Piece Development

Knight Moves First – Not Just in Shining Armor

Trust me, I’ve learned the hard way—knights jump straight into action. Start with these:

1. Bring out both knights early. Try not to let them nap on the back row.
2. Place them towards the center. It helps control more squares.

Bishops: Better Than Diagonal Throw Rugs

Bishops get overlooked (pun intended). I always follow these steps:

1. Develop bishops soon after knights.
2. Aim them down open lines, not blocked by your own pawns.

Don’t Forget the Queen (But Don’t Get Cocky)

After a few games, I learned to:

1. Hold the queen back while smaller pieces get out.
2. Bring her out when she’ll be safe and help the attack.

Connecting Rooks: The Hidden Chess Power Couple

After moving knights and bishops, link your rooks together by clearing the back row. This sets you up for the win by making every piece work together. It’s key in any How To Play two player chess game strategy!

Mastering Endgame Techniques to Crush Your Opponent

King Activity Matters Most

1. Move your king toward the action ASAP.
2. Use your king to support your pawns.

After we scrambled for pieces, my last game turned into a king march. It won me the pot noodle prize. Remember, a lazy king sits and loses.

Pawn Power: Advance with Care

1. Push passed pawns forward, but protect them.
2. Use your king as a pawn bodyguard.

Each pawn is gold! In our group, sneaking pawns past sleepy defenders always works.

Cut the Enemy King Off

1. Block the rival king from moving sideways.
2. Control key escape squares with your pieces or pawns.

During the last How To Play two player chess game session, I trapped Steve’s king on the rim. He cried, “That’s not fair!”—but it is, Steve, it is.

Checkmate, Baby! Your Next Move Awaits

Let’s be honest—if my friend Dave can remember how to castle, you can too! So now you know how to play two player chess game and totally outsmart your cousin at family dinners. Whether you love crafting sneaky openings, marching your pawns to glory, or just want to see the look on your opponent’s face when you pull a sweet endgame trick, chess is a game that keeps giving. Grab your board, call a buddy, and turn every match into a battle worthy of bragging rights. Just don’t throw the pieces when you lose—trust me, they bounce.

Want to know what we think of Chess? Read our detailed review of Chess here