4. Start a game

What you will learn

1. 01

   Your first move: open a path

   First steps · 3 min

   White moves first. Central pawns can open paths for your pieces. You do not need to memorise an opening name to begin.

2. 02

   Bring out a new piece

   First steps · 3 min

   Development means bringing pieces out from their starting row to participate. One knight is already out; now you can activate a bishop.

3. 03

   Castle to shelter the king

   First steps · 3 min

   In kingside castling the king goes from e1 to g1 and the rook from h1 to f1. Neither may have moved, no pieces can stand between them, and the king cannot start in, cross or end in check.

4. 04

   A pawn reaches the end

   First steps · 3 min

   On reaching the last row, you must turn the pawn into a queen, rook, bishop or knight of the same colour. You may choose a queen even if you already have one.

5. 05

   The special pawn capture

   First steps · 3 min

   Black has just moved its pawn from d7 to d5, beside yours on e5. Only now may you capture it en passant as though it had advanced one square to d6. This is optional and must happen immediately.