First steps
1. Meet your pieces
Six movements, one at a time. Tap the piece, then its destination; marked squares show legal moves.
First steps · 0–500
Explore the syllabus
6 lessonsFirst steps
Answer check calmly
Six positions for answering check by capturing or blocking, with both colours.
First steps · 0–500
6 lessons · 18 min estimated practice
Practise this courseFree · No game imports needed
8♚7♟65432♝1abcdef♔gh
White to move
Try the first position
The king can capture too
Remove check by capturing the bishop.
Practise this courseWhat you will learn
The king can capture too
First steps · 3 minYour king is in check. A king capture is allowed only if the destination is not attacked.
Defend the black king
First steps · 3 minYou play Black. The white rook is beside your king and gives check.
Block check with support
First steps · 3 minA piece can block a rook’s line. Also check who will defend it when it arrives.
Black blocks the file
First steps · 3 minYour king is checked along an open file. Your rook can stand in the way.
A knight check cannot be blocked
First steps · 3 minA knight jumps: placing a piece between it and the king does not help. You can move the king or capture the knight.
A black pawn rescues the king
First steps · 3 minBlack can also answer a knight check with a pawn capture.
Course references
These references accompany the teaching material. Explore explanations and exercises in the training room.
- ChessKid · How to Play Chess
Rules reference. Original RookHabit diagrams and explanations. We practise one decision; safety refers to the immediate reply, not the whole game.
Free · No game imports needed
More courses to explore
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
Explore the syllabus
4 lessonsFirst steps
3. Check, mate and stalemate
Three ways out of check and the difference between winning and drawing.
First steps · 0–500
Explore the syllabus
5 lessons