Chess Game Pieces

Chess is a game that requires heavy concentration and study. It will require one to play both defense as well as offense. The chess pieces are only allowed certain moves, and these moves are strictly adhered to. One must be able to see the board as a strategic battlefield and be able to see the many moves that can occur ahead of time.

The more moves a player is able to read, the better the player will be.

The game is played on a sixty four grid checkerboard. There are sixteen pieces in all per side. Lets discuss these pieces in depth.

There are eight pawns per side and these pawns are able to only move one space at a time. However, they must move forward across the board and on their very first move from their origin, they can move two spaces. But, this is only during their first move from their origin.

The rooks are the castle type figures. They can only move horizontally and vertically. But, they can move as many spaces as they like as long as they do not jump pieces.

The bishops can only move diagonally and must remain on their original color. They too can move as many spaces as they like but cannot jump pieces.

The knights are the horse typo figures. They can only move in and "L" shape but, they are allowed to jump pieces and can do this in any direction. But, they must land on an open spot or be taking and opposing player's piece.

The queen in probably the most valuable piece on the board next to the king. She is able to move in any direction and as many spaces as she likes. But, she cannot jump pieces.

The king is only allowed to move one space at a time in any direction. Unless he is castling. This is when the king is wrapped behind the rook for protection. This is definitely a defensive maneuver and can only be done if two things are associated. One is that there is a direct line with the rook and no pieces are in the way. And, two is that the king is not in check nor, has he ever been in check.

These are the ways that the pieces are allowed to move. The main objective is to take the opposing player's king. This will usually require taking many other pieces first in order to get the king to be defenseless. By taking the opposing player's queen, this can become rather easy but, beware that getting excited at taking the queen does not open you up to loosing a valuable strategic position.

Chess game pieces basically all look the same unless one is playing on a specialty board. Then they can look basically like anything.