First steps

2. Capture without giving pieces away

Learn what you can capture and what the opponent could capture next turn.

First steps · 0–500

4 lessons · 12 min estimated practice

Free · No game imports needed

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White to move

Try the first position

Capture the black knight on a4 with the rook on a1.

Capture a piece
First steps · 3 min
Capturing means moving onto an opposing piece’s square and removing it. You cannot capture your own pieces. A rook captures along its straight lines.
Pawns capture diagonally
First steps · 3 min
Pawns do not capture straight ahead: they capture one square diagonally forward. Here the white pawn heads towards higher row numbers.
Before capturing, check the reply
First steps · 3 min
Your rook can reach two pawns: a4 and h4. The knight on f5 protects h4: if you capture there, it can take your rook. The a4 pawn is undefended.
Save an attacked piece
First steps · 3 min
The black knight on f5 attacks your rook on h4. Before seeking your own attacks, look at what the opponent threatens.

These references accompany the teaching material. Explore explanations and exercises in the training room.

Chess.com · Learn to Play Chess
Reference for the rules. Positions, teaching sequence and explanations are original to RookHabit. The 0–500 band is approximate.

Free · No game imports needed

First steps

Six movements, one at a time. Tap the piece, then its destination; marked squares show legal moves.

First steps · 0–500

First steps

Three ways out of check and the difference between winning and drawing.

First steps · 0–500

First steps

Centre, development and castling. Finish with two special rules: promotion and en passant.

First steps · 0–500