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The Pieces
Each player has 16 pieces. One players pieces are white, the others black. The pieces are arranged as follows: a1-White rook, b1-white knight, c1-white bishop, d1-white queen, e1-white king, f1-white bishop, g1-white knight, h1-white rook, a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 and h2 - white pawns. a8-black rook, b8-black knight, c8-black bishop, d8-black queen, e8-black king, f8-black bishop, g8-black knight, h8-black rook, a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 and h7 - black pawns. The pieces can move as follows: King - can move one square in any direction (horizontally, vertically and diagonally). Check is when a piece threatens to take the king. He cannot move into check. If he is in check he must remove the attack. Queen - can move any number of squares in any direction. Rook - can move any number of squares horizontally or vertically. Bishop - can move any number of squares diagonally. Knight - can move in an "L" shape - two squares in one direction then 1 to the left or right. The knight is the only piece which can jump over other pieces (except a rook when castling). Pawn - can move one square, forwards only.It can capture one square diagonally, forwards only. On its first move can move 1 or 2 squares, forwards only.
Special Moves
Special moves: Castling; if the king and rook are both unmoved, if the king is not in check, if no pieces are between them, and if none of the squares between them are attacked (except b1 and b8) then the king may move two squares towards the rook and the rook may jump to the adjacent square to, and on the other side of, the king all in one go. En passent; If a pawn ins on its fith rank (ranks are rows of squares accross the board) and an enemy pawn moves two squares forward to either of the adjacent squares to the pawn then the pawn on its fith rank may capture this enemy pawn as if the enemy pawn had only moved one square. Promotion; when a pawn reaches the eigth rank it must be exchanged for another piece (not a pawn or a king).
The Object of the Game
The object of the game is to deliver checkmate. This is when a king is threatened and it cannot avoid capture. The side whose king cannot avoid capture has lost and the other won. Stale mate occurs when a players king is not in check but that player has no moves available to him, this is a draw. A draw can also occur if 1) both players want a draw, 2) 50 moves occur without a pawn move or a capture, or 3) the same position occurs three times. Victory can also be obtained with your opponents resignation.
Rudiments of evaluation
Approximate values of the pieces.