Chess | Game, Setup, Board, & Pieces

<!doctype html> <html lang="en" class="topic-desktop ui-ie7 ui-ie"> <head prefix="og: https://ogp.me/ns# fb: https://ogp.me/ns/fb#"> <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" /> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133"> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133"> <link rel="preload" as="script" href="https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js" /> <link rel="icon" href="/favicon.png" /> <meta name="description" content="Chess, one of the oldest and most popular board games, played by two opponents on a checkered board with specially designed pieces of contrasting colours, commonly white and black. White moves first, after which the players alternate turns in accordance with fixed rules, each player attempting to" /> <meta name="keywords" content="chess, encyclopedia, encyclopeadia, britannica, article" /> <link rel="canonical" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/chess" /> <title>Chess | Game, Setup, Board, & Pieces | Britannica</title>  <script> !function(){"use strict";function e(e){const t=e.match(/((?=([a-z0-9._!#$%+^&*()[\]<>-]+))\2@[a-z0-9._-]+\.[a-z0-9._-]+)/gi);return t?t[0]:""}function t(t){return e(a(t.toLowerCase()))}function a(e){return e.replace(/\s/g,"")}async function n(e){const t={sha256Hash:"",sha1Hash:""};if(!("msCrypto"in window)&&"https:"===location.protocol&&"crypto"in window&&"TextEncoder"in window){const a=(new TextEncoder).encode(e),[n,c]=await Promise.all([s("SHA-256",a),s("SHA-1",a)]);t.sha256Hash=n,t.sha1Hash=c}return t}async function s(e,t){const a=await crypto.subtle.digest(e,t);return Array.from(new Uint8Array(a)).map(e=>("00"+e.toString(16)).slice(-2)).join("")}function c(e){let t=!0;return Object.keys(e).forEach(a=>{0===e[a].length&&(t=!1)}),t}function i(e,t,a){e.splice(t,1);const n="?"+e.join("&")+a.hash;history.replaceState(null,"",n)}var o={checkEmail:e,validateEmail:t,trimInput:a,hashEmail:n,hasHashes:c,removeEmailAndReplaceHistory:i,detectEmails:async function(){const e=new URL(window.location.href),a=Array.from(e.searchParams.entries()).map(e=>`=`);let s,o;const r=["adt_eih","sh_kit"];if(a.forEach((e,t)=>{const a=decodeURIComponent(e),[n,c]=a.split("=");if("adt_ei"===n&&(s={value:c,index:t,emsrc:"url"}),r.includes(n)){o={value:c,index:t,emsrc:"sh_kit"===n?"urlhck":"urlh"}}}),s)t(s.value)&&n(s.value).then(e=>{if(c(e)){const t={value:e,created:Date.now()};localStorage.setItem("adt_ei",JSON.stringify(t)),localStorage.setItem("adt_emsrc",s.emsrc)}});else if(o){const e={value:{sha256Hash:o.value,sha1Hash:""},created:Date.now()};localStorage.setItem("adt_ei",JSON.stringify(e)),localStorage.setItem("adt_emsrc",o.emsrc)}s&&i(a,s.index,e),o&&i(a,o.index,e)},cb:"adthrive"};const{detectEmails:r,cb:l}=o;r()}(); </script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel"> window.$UI = {}; window.Constants = {"LICENSE_URL": "/bps/license","DEFAULT_TEST_VERSION": "A","DEFAULT_STATE": "XX","QUIZ_URL": "/quiz","SPOTLIGHT_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/spotlight","CONTENT_TYPE_TEXT": "text/plain;charset=UTF-8","TOPIC_FACTS_DATA_URL": "/facts","QUIZ_BROWSE_IMAGE_QUIZZES": "images","TOPIC_MEDIA_PATH": "/images-videos","USER_PROFILE_URL": "/user","DEBUG_URL": "/debug","ONE_GOOD_FACT_URL": "/one-good-fact","ERROR_404_URL": "/error404","PROCON_CITED_IN_THE_NEWS_URL": "/procon/ProCon-in-the-News","PROCON_URL": "/procon","TOPIC_PAGE_CONTENT_AJAX_URL": "/topic-content/page","INFINITE_SCROLL_PREFIX_URL": "/scroll","TOPIC_TOP_QUESTION_BROWSE_URL": "/questions","CC_USD": "USD","domain": "britannica.com","PROCON_EDITOR_ID": "12941390","SURVEY_URL": "/survey","CATEGORY_BROWSE_URL": "/browse","STORY_BROWSE_URL": "/stories","COUNTRY_US": "US","OPEN_MEDIA_OVERLAY_PARAMETER": "/media","NEWSLETTER_SUBSCRIPTION_URL": "/newsletter-subscription","MAINTENANCE_ERROR_URL": "https://maintenance.eb.com","IMARS_EDITOR_ID": "12365882","PROFILE_EB_EDITOR_URL": "/editor","WEB_INF_RESOURCES_PATH": "WEB-INF/resources","AI_ABOUT_PAGE_URL": "/about-britannica-ai","TOPIC_ADDITIONAL_INFO_PATH": "/additional-info","SUDOKU_GAME_URL": "/games/sudoku","CC_INR": "INR","ARTICLE_PRINT_URL": "/print/article","FIRST_EDITION_URL": "/subscriber/firstedition","WW1_PORTAL_URL": "/discover/World-War-I","MENDEL_COOKIE": "__mendel","topicUrlClasses": "[topic, animal, art, biography, event, place, plant, science, sports, technology, procon, money]","DEMYSTIFIED_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/demystified","LIST_BROWSE_URL": "/list/browse","PROFILE_EXPERT_URL": "/contributor","ASSEMBLY_IMAGE_URL": "/image/assembly","DAY_IN_HISTORY_URL": "/on-this-day","DEFAULT_CURRENCY": "USD","CONTENT_TYPE_XML": "text/xml;charset=UTF-8","PORTAL_FINANCE_BROWSE_URL_PREFIX": "/money/browse","MONEY_IMARS_CATEGORY": "13000","AJAX_PREFIX_URL": "/ajax","TOPIC_BROWSE_URL": "/topic-browse","MARKETING_CONTENT": "/marketing-content","ENV_RUNTIME": "runtime","GALLERY_URL": "/gallery","topicUrlClassesList": "topic|animal|art|biography|event|place|plant|science|sports|technology|procon","CONTENT_TYPE_HTML": "text/html;charset=UTF-8","ENV_LOCAL": "override","MEDIA_OVERLAY_URL": "/media-overlay","CHATBOT_PAGE_URL": "/chatbot","NEWSLETTER_PAGE_URL": "/newsletters","ENV_DEV": "development","MEDIA_URL": "/media","TOPIC_TOP_QUESTION_URL": "/question","PORTAL_FINANCE_URL_PREFIX": "/money","PODCASTS_URL": "/podcasts","STAND_ALONE_VIDEO_URL": "/video","MORE_ON_THIS_DAY_URL": "/more-on-this-day","TOPIC_QUOTES_URL": "/quotes","SEARCH_PAGE_URL": "/search","PROCON_CLASS": "PROCON","KUSTOM_MENDEL_APPLICATION_ID": "1","TOPIC_CONTENT_AJAX_URL": "/topic-content/topic","ENV_BRANCH": "branch","ERROR_URL": "/error","MAIN_VERSION": "mainVersion","TOPIC_COLLECTION_URL": "/summary","LOGINBOX_URL": "/auth/loginbox","PROCON_DEBATE_TOPICS_URL": "/procon/Debate-Topics","ONE_GOOD_FACT_BROWSE_URL": "/one-good-fact/all-good-facts","QUIZ_BROWSE_URL": "/quiz/browse","BIO_BROWSE_URL": "/browse/biographies","LIST_URL": "/list","TIGHTROPE_QUIZ_URL": "/quiz/tightrope","ALPHA_BROWSE_URL": "/sitemap","CONTENT_TYPE_JSON": "application/json","DICTIONARY_URL": "/dictionary","COBRAND_IMAGE_URL": "/image/cobrand","PROCON_IN_THE_NEWS_URL": "/procon/pro-and-con-issues-in-the-news","PROCON_BROWSE_URL": "/procon","QUIZ_BROWSE_VOCAB_QUIZZES": "vocabulary-quizzes","SUBMISSION_URL": "/submission","EB_LOG_OUT": "/auth2/logout","ENV_PRODUCTION": "production","EXPLORE_PORTAL_URL": "/explore","TOPIC_AJAX_URL": "/ajax/topic","TOPIC_SUMMARY_BROWSE_URL": "/summaries","WTFACT_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/wtfact","VIDEO_CHANNEL_URL": "/videos","GALLERY_BROWSE_URL": "/gallery/browse","CACHE_URL": "/cache","PROCON_ABOUT_URL": "/procon/About-ProCon","COMPANION_BROWSE_URL": "/stories/companion","MEDIA_FOLDER": "/eb-media","SHOW_ALL_CONTRIBUTORS": "/additional-info#contributors","BRITANNICA_EDITORS_ID": "4419","ENV_CACHE_DISABLED": "mendelCache","CALCULATORS_BROWSE_URL": "/calculators","STORY_URL": "/story","DEFAULT_COUNTRY": "US","NAVBAR_URL": "/ajax/navbar","EB_LOGIN_URL": "/auth/eb-login","NEW_ARTICLES_URL": "/new-articles",}; window.CDN = "https://cdn.britannica.com"; window.CAM_SETTINGS_URL = "https://cam.britannica.com/settings"; window.CAM_LOGIN_URL = "https://cam.britannica.com/login"; window.CAM_SIGN_UP_URL = "https://cam.britannica.com/registration" window.Mendel = { "config" : { "domain": "britannica.com", "page": "Topic", "videoPlayerId": "UyMCoK2v", "sharedUrl": "https://www.britannica.com/topic/chess", "amuselabsUrl": "https://cdn3.amuselabs.com", "resourcesPrefixUrl": "https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/[url]?v=3.133.9", "date": 20250217, "userInfo": { "type": "ANONYMOUS" ,"currency": "AUUS" ,"country": "SG" ,"state": "XX" ,"timezone": "Asia/Singapore" ,"bcomId": "1482179668146576727" ,"hasAds": true ,"testVersion": "B" ,"adsTestVersion": "B" ,"consumerId": "" ,"instId": "" ,"consumerUserName": "" ,"instUserName": "" ,"cognito": null }, "tvs":{ "r":[25,25,25,25], "a": [25,25,45,5]}, "isLoggedInAsUser": false, "isPhone": false, "isDesktop": true, "logoutUrl": "/auth2/logout", "selfServiceUrl": "https://myaccount.britannica.com", "cdnUrl": "https://cdn.britannica.com", "chatbotApi": "https://www.britannica.com/chat-api", "fetchOffset": 800, "mendelCookieName": "__mendel", "mendelCookie": {"surveyShown":false,"visitedTopicId":109655,"currentDate":20250217}, "autocompleteToSearchPage": false,"topicUrl": "https://www.britannica.com/topic/chess", "freeTopicReason": "NO_REFERRER", "topicId": 109655, "template": "DESKTOP", "type": "CORE", "hasToc": true, "chatbotApi": "https://www.britannica.com/chat-api", "showPreview": false, }, "GA": {"leg":"B","adLeg":"B","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","articleTemplateType":"PAGINATED","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":true} }; </script> <meta property="fb:app_id" content="1887621861548296"/ <meta name="twitter:card" content="summary_large_image" /> <meta name="twitter:site" content="@britannica" /> <meta name="twitter:image" content="https://cdn.britannica.com/71/7471-004-C94F7C98/chessmen-Position-beginning-game-queen-rook-king.jpg" /> <meta name="twitter:description" content="Chess, one of the oldest and most popular board games, played by two opponents on a checkered board with specially designed pieces of contrasting colours, commonly white and black. White moves first, after which the players alternate turns in accordance with fixed rules, each player attempting to"/> <meta property="og:type" content="ARTICLE"/> <meta property="og:title" content="Chess | Game, Setup, Board, & Pieces | Britannica"/> <meta property="og:description" content="Chess, one of the oldest and most popular board games, played by two opponents on a checkered board with specially designed pieces of contrasting colours, commonly white and black. White moves first, after which the players alternate turns in accordance with fixed rules, each player attempting to"/> <meta property="og:site_name" content="Encyclopedia Britannica" /> <meta property="og:url" content="https://www.britannica.com/topic/chess"/> <meta property="og:image" content="https://cdn.britannica.com/71/7471-004-C94F7C98/chessmen-Position-beginning-game-queen-rook-king.jpg" /> <meta property="og:image:type" content="image/jpeg" /> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="init opengraph"> Mendel.openGraph = {"type":"ARTICLE","title":"Chess | Game, Setup, Board, & Pieces","description":"Chess, one of the oldest and most popular board games, played by two opponents on a checkered board with specially designed pieces of contrasting colours, commonly white and black. White moves first, after which the players alternate turns in accordance with fixed rules, each player attempting to","imageUrl":"https://cdn.britannica.com/71/7471-004-C94F7C98/chessmen-Position-beginning-game-queen-rook-king.jpg","imageType":"image/jpeg","pageUrl":"https://www.britannica.com/topic/chess"}</script> <link rel="preconnect" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/"> <link rel="dns-prefetch" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/" > <link rel="stylesheet" href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/icon?family=Material+Icons"> <link href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/dist/vendor-bundle.css?v=3.133.9" rel="stylesheet" /> <link href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/dist/mendel-css.css?v=3.133.9" rel="stylesheet" /> <link href="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/dist/topic-page.css?v=3.133.9" rel="stylesheet" /> <script type="text/javascript"> if (self !== top) { top.location = self.location; } </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/js/at.js?v=3.133.9" async ></script> <script> dataLayer = []; </script> <script type="text/javascript">(function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0], j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src= '//www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-5W6NC8'); </script> <meta name="last-modified" content="2025-01-25" /> <script type="application/ld+json"> {"headline":"Chess | Game, Setup, Board, & Pieces","image":{"url":"https://cdn.britannica.com/71/7471-004-C94F7C98/chessmen-Position-beginning-game-queen-rook-king.jpg","@type":"ImageObject"},"author":[{"name":"Andrew E. Soltis","url":"https://www.britannica.com/contributor/Andrew-E-Soltis/4249","@type":"Person"}],"keywords":"chess","wordcount":14374,"url":"https://www.britannica.com/topic/chess","datePublished":"1999-05-04T00:00:00Z","dateModified":"2025-01-25T00:00:00Z","description":"Chess, one of the oldest and most popular board games, played by two opponents on a checkered board with specially designed pieces of contrasting colours, commonly white and black. White moves first, after which the players alternate turns in accordance with fixed rules, each player attempting to","publisher":{"name":"Encyclopedia Britannica","@type":"Organization","logo":{"url":"https://corporate.britannica.com/wp-content/themes/eb-corporate/_img/logo.png","@type":"ImageObject"}},"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"article"} </script> </head> <body data-leg="B" class="new-topic topic-desktop first-page-true user-ANONYMOUS user-ads md-desktop leg-b b-ie">  <script>Mendel.config.adProvider='cafemedia';</script> <script data-no-optimize="1" data-cfasync="false"> (function(w, d) { w.adthrive = w.adthrive || {}; w.adthrive.cmd = w. adthrive.cmd || []; w.adthrive.plugin = 'adthrive-ads-manual'; w.adthrive.host = 'ads.adthrive.com';var s = d.createElement('script'); s.async = true; s.referrerpolicy='no-referrer-when-downgrade'; s.src = 'https://' + w.adthrive.host + '/sites/61575e5c934c481d714b3ca9/ads.min.js?referrer=' + w.encodeURIComponent(w.location.href) + '&cb=' + (Math.floor(Math.random() * 100) + 1); var n = d.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; n.parentNode.insertBefore(s, n); })(window, document); </script> <div class="ie-warning d-flex align-items-center align-self-center justify-content-center site-alert bg-orange"> <div> You are using an <strong>outdated</strong> browser. Please <a class="text-white text-underscore" href="https://browsehappy.com/">upgrade your browser</a> to improve your experience and security. </div> </div> <script id="json-navbar-info" type="application/json"> {"topSectionLinks":[{"title":"Ask the Chatbot","url":"/chatbot","navbarId":"CHATBOT"},{"title":"Games & Quizzes","url":"/quiz/browse","navbarId":"QUIZZES"},{"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society","navbarId":"HISTORY"},{"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech","navbarId":"SCIENCE"},{"title":"Biographies","url":"/Biographies","navbarId":"BIOS"},{"title":"Animals & Nature","url":"/Animals-Nature","navbarId":"ANIMALS"},{"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/Geography-Travel","navbarId":"GEOGRAPHY"},{"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"/Arts-Culture","selected":true,"navbarId":"ART"},{"title":"ProCon","url":"/procon","navbarId":"PROCON"},{"title":"Money","url":"/money","navbarId":"MONEY"},{"title":"Videos","url":"/videos","navbarId":"VIDEOS"}],"selectedSuperCategory":{"id":2,"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"Arts-Culture","description":"Explore arts and culture; entertainment and pop culture, actors, comics, dance, film, food, music, theatre, tv; visual arts, architecture, fashion, painting, photography, sculpture; literature, fiction, nonfiction, plays, poetry, short story; sports and recreation","keywords":"entertainment and pop culture, actors, comics, dance, film, food, music, theatre, tv; visual arts, architecture, fashion, painting, photography, sculpture; literature, fiction, nonfiction, plays, poetry, short story; sports and recreation","classId":"ART","sortOrder":6},"selectedNavbarLink":{"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"/Arts-Culture","selected":true,"navbarId":"ART"}} </script> <script id="json-hamburger-menu" type="application/json"> {"britannicaMenu1":[{"title":"Home","url":"/"},{"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society"},{"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech"},{"title":"Biographies","url":"/Biographies"},{"title":"Animals & Nature","url":"/Animals-Nature"},{"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/Geography-Travel"},{"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"/Arts-Culture"},{"title":"ProCon","url":"/procon"},{"title":"Money","url":"/money"}],"britannicaMenu2":[{"title":"Games & Quizzes","url":"/quiz/browse"},{"title":"Videos","url":"/videos"},{"title":"On This Day","url":"/on-this-day"},{"title":"One Good Fact","url":"/one-good-fact"},{"title":"Dictionary","url":"/dictionary"},{"title":"New Articles","url":"/new-articles"}],"browseByCategory":[{"title":{"id":5,"title":"History & Society","url":"/History-Society"},"links":[{"title":"Lifestyles & Social Issues","url":"/browse/Lifestyles-Social-Issues"},{"title":"Philosophy & Religion","url":"/browse/Philosophy-Religion"},{"title":"Politics, Law & Government","url":"/browse/Politics-Law-Government"},{"title":"World History","url":"/browse/World-History"}]},{"title":{"id":6,"title":"Science & Tech","url":"/Science-Tech"},"links":[{"title":"Health & Medicine","url":"/browse/Health-Medicine"},{"title":"Science","url":"/browse/Science"},{"title":"Technology","url":"/browse/Technology"}]},{"title":{"id":3,"title":"Biographies","url":"/Biographies"},"links":[{"title":"Browse Biographies","url":"/browse/biographies"}]},{"title":{"id":1,"title":"Animals & Nature","url":"/Animals-Nature"},"links":[{"title":"Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates","url":"/browse/Birds-Reptiles-Vertebrates"},{"title":"Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates","url":"/browse/Bugs-Mollusks-Invertebrates"},{"title":"Environment","url":"/browse/Environment"},{"title":"Fossils & Geologic Time","url":"/browse/Fossil-Geologic-Time"},{"title":"Mammals","url":"/browse/Mammals"},{"title":"Plants","url":"/browse/Plants"}]},{"title":{"id":4,"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/Geography-Travel"},"links":[{"title":"Geography & Travel","url":"/browse/Geography-Travel"}]},{"title":{"id":2,"title":"Arts & Culture","url":"/Arts-Culture"},"links":[{"title":"Entertainment & Pop Culture","url":"/browse/Entertainment-Pop-Culture"},{"title":"Literature","url":"/browse/Literature"},{"title":"Sports & Recreation","url":"/browse/Sports-Recreation"},{"title":"Visual Arts","url":"/browse/Visual-Arts"}]}],"browseByFeature":[{"title":"Companions","url":"/stories/companion"},{"title":"Demystified","url":"/stories/demystified"},{"title":"Image Galleries","url":"/gallery/browse"},{"title":"Lists","url":"/list/browse"},{"title":"Podcasts","url":"/podcasts"},{"title":"Spotlight","url":"/stories/spotlight"},{"title":"Summaries","url":"/summary"},{"title":"The Forum","url":"/stories/the-forum"},{"title":"Top Questions","url":"/question"},{"title":"#WTFact","url":"/stories/wtfact"}],"moreFromBritannica":[{"title":"Britannica Kids","url":"https://kids.britannica.com/","newTab":true}],"menuType":"DEFAULT"} </script> <header id="header" class="bg-navy-dark"> <div class="global-nav-top-bar"> <div class="grid gx-0 h-100 justify-content-between align-items-center container-lg mx-auto p-0 position-relative"> <div class="d-flex align-items-center"> <button class="d-flex align-items-center justify-self-start js-toggle js-toggle-hamburger btn btn-link link-white btn-sm rounded-0 p-10"> <div class="hamburger-tooltip"> <em class="material-icons d-inline-block font-24" id="nav-toggle" data-icon="menu"></em> </div> <em class="material-icons d-inline-block font-24 global-nav-search-icon" id="nav-search-icon" data-icon="search" ></em> </button> <a href="/" class="d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center ml-10"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png" alt="Encyclopedia Britannica" class="global-nav-logo global-nav-logo-left" /> </a> <div class="global-nav-top-search-bar global-nav-top-search-container global-nav-search-container" id="global-nav-top-search-bar"> <form method="get" action="/search" id="global-nav-search" class="md-search-form m-0 global-nav-search-bar-small"> <div class="search-box position-relative col-100"> <label class="sr-only" for="global-nav-search-query">Search Britannica</label> <input name="query" id="global-nav-search-query" placeholder="Search Britannica..." class="form-control form-control-lg rounded-lg font-16 search-query pl-20 pr-70 shadow-sm" maxlength="200" autocomplete="off" aria-label="Search Britannica" /> <button class="search-reset-btn btn btn-link px-10 position-absolute top-0 h-100 d-none" type="reset"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="close"></em> </button> <button class="search-submit btn btn-link text-blue px-10 position-absolute top-0 right-0 h-100" type="submit" disabled> <span class="sr-only">Click here to search</span> <em class="material-icons search-icon" data-icon="search"></em> </button> </div> </form> </div> </div> <a href="/" class="d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel/eb-logo/MendelNewThistleLogo.png" alt="Encyclopedia Britannica" class="global-nav-center global-nav-logo non-homepage-logo" /> </a> <form method="get" action="/search" id="global-nav-search" class="md-search-form m-0 global-nav-search-bar-small global-nav-center search global-nav-center-search-container"> <div class="search-box position-relative col-100"> <label class="sr-only" for="global-nav-search-query">Search Britannica</label> <input name="query" id="global-nav-search-query" placeholder="Search Britannica..." class="form-control form-control-lg rounded-lg font-16 search-query pl-20 pr-70 shadow-sm" maxlength="200" autocomplete="off" aria-label="Search Britannica" /> <button class="search-reset-btn btn btn-link px-10 position-absolute top-0 h-100 d-none" type="reset"> <em class="material-icons" data-icon="close"></em> </button> <button class="search-submit btn btn-link text-blue px-10 position-absolute top-0 right-0 h-100" type="submit" disabled> <span class="sr-only">Click here to search</span> <em class="material-icons search-icon" data-icon="search"></em> </button> </div> </form> <div class="col-35 col-sm-auto text-right order-3 mr-lg-15 align-items-center d-flex justify-content-end"> <div class="d-none d-md-inline-block"> <SPAN class="marketing-HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_DESKTOP2 marketing-content" data-marketing-id="HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_DESKTOP2"><a href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav&utm_campaign=evergreen-cap" class="subscribe-link btn btn-sm btn-orange py-5 mr-10" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> SUBSCRIBE </a></SPAN></div> <div class="d-inline-block d-md-none mr-5 mr-sm-10"> <SPAN class="marketing-HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_MOBILE marketing-content" data-marketing-id="HEADER_SUBSCRIPTION_MOBILE"><a href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=global-nav-mobile&utm_campaign=evergreen" class="subscribe-link btn btn-xs btn-orange p-5" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> SUBSCRIBE </a></SPAN></div> <button class="js-toggle-user-dropdown js-toggle btn btn-sm btn-link link-white rounded-0 px-md-15 pl-5 pr-5"> <span class="d-none d-md-inline-block mr-5">Login</span> <em class="material-icons d-inline-block d-md-none font-16 font-sm-20" data-icon="account_circle"></em> <div class="d-none dropdown-menu-subscription-link">https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=nav-login-box&utm_campaign=evergreen</div> <em class="material-icons inactive-icon d-inline-block font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_down"></em> <em class="material-icons active-icon d-inline-block font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_up"></em> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div class="d-none hamburger-menu-subscription-link"><DIV class="marketing-HAMBURGER_MENU_CTA marketing-content" data-marketing-id="HAMBURGER_MENU_CTA"><a href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=hamburger-menu&utm_campaign=evergreen" class="subscribe-link btn btn-sm btn-orange py-5" target="_blank"> SUBSCRIBE </a></DIV></div> <div id="global-nav-react"> <div class="d-none"> <ul> <li><a href="/">Home</a></li> <li><a href="/History-Society">History & Society</a></li> <li><a href="/Science-Tech">Science & Tech</a></li> <li><a href="/Biographies">Biographies</a></li> <li><a href="/Animals-Nature">Animals & Nature</a></li> <li><a href="/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a></li> <li><a href="/Arts-Culture">Arts & Culture</a></li> <li><a href="/procon">ProCon</a></li> <li><a href="/money">Money</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/quiz/browse">Games & Quizzes</a></li> <li><a href="/videos">Videos</a></li> <li><a href="/on-this-day">On This Day</a></li> <li><a href="/one-good-fact">One Good Fact</a></li> <li><a href="/dictionary">Dictionary</a></li> <li><a href="/new-articles">New Articles</a></li> </ul> <a href="/History-Society">History & Society</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Lifestyles-Social-Issues">Lifestyles & Social Issues</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Philosophy-Religion">Philosophy & Religion</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Politics-Law-Government">Politics, Law & Government</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/World-History">World History</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Science-Tech">Science & Tech</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Health-Medicine">Health & Medicine</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Science">Science</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Technology">Technology</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Biographies">Biographies</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/biographies">Browse Biographies</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Animals-Nature">Animals & Nature</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Birds-Reptiles-Vertebrates">Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Bugs-Mollusks-Invertebrates">Bugs, Mollusks & Other Invertebrates</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Environment">Environment</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Fossil-Geologic-Time">Fossils & Geologic Time</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Mammals">Mammals</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Plants">Plants</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a></li> </ul> <a href="/Arts-Culture">Arts & Culture</a> <ul> <li><a href="/browse/Entertainment-Pop-Culture">Entertainment & Pop Culture</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Literature">Literature</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Sports-Recreation">Sports & Recreation</a></li> <li><a href="/browse/Visual-Arts">Visual Arts</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="/stories/companion">Companions</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/demystified">Demystified</a></li> <li><a href="/gallery/browse">Image Galleries</a></li> <li><a href="/list/browse">Lists</a></li> <li><a href="/podcasts">Podcasts</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/spotlight">Spotlight</a></li> <li><a href="/summary">Summaries</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/the-forum">The Forum</a></li> <li><a href="/question">Top Questions</a></li> <li><a href="/stories/wtfact">#WTFact</a></li> </ul> <ul> <li><a href="https://kids.britannica.com/">Britannica Kids</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </header> <div class="bg-navy-dark"> <div class="container-lg p-0 d-flex justify-content-center global-nav-categories-bar overflow-hidden"> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 global-nav-slider category-snap-slider"> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex font-14 overflow-hidden text-nowrap mx-5"> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-CHATBOT " href="/chatbot">Ask the Chatbot</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-QUIZZES " href="/quiz/browse">Games & Quizzes</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-HISTORY " href="/History-Society">History & Society</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-SCIENCE " href="/Science-Tech">Science & Tech</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-BIOS " href="/Biographies">Biographies</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-ANIMALS " href="/Animals-Nature">Animals & Nature</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-GEOGRAPHY " href="/Geography-Travel">Geography & Travel</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-ART selected selected" href="/Arts-Culture">Arts & Culture</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-PROCON " href="/procon">ProCon</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-MONEY " href="/money">Money</a> <a class="nav-bar-category mx-5 category-link-VIDEOS " href="/videos">Videos</a> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <main> <div class="md-page-wrapper"> <div id="content" class="md-content"> <div class="md-article-container template-desktop infinite-pagination"> <div class="infinite-scroll-container article last"> <script> Object.assign( window.Mendel.config, { "infiniteScrollList": [{"p":6,"t":109655},{"p":1,"t":2251787},{"p":4,"t":37146},{"p":1,"t":155485},{"p":1,"t":313020},{"p":1,"t":109717},{"p":1,"t":541430},{"p":6,"t":224893},{"p":1,"t":155155},{"p":1,"t":477240}], "sequence": 1, "topics": {} }); </script> <article class="article-content container-lg qa-content px-0 pt-0 pb-40 py-lg-20 content md-expanded" data-topic-id="109655"> <div class="grid gx-0"> <div class="col-auto"> <div class="topic-left-rail md-article-drawer position-relative d-flex border-right-sm border-left-sm open"> <div class="drawer d-flex flex-column open"> <div class="left-rail-section-content"> <div class="topic-left-rail-header text-truncate bg-gray-50 position-relative text-right d-flex align-items-center"> <div class="tlr-title px-20 py-15 text-left"> <em class="material-icons text-gray-400 d-lg-none" data-icon="toc"></em> <a class="font-serif font-weight-bold text-black link-blue" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/chess">chess</a> </div> <button aria-label="Close" class="js-sections-close-button btn-link btn-sm btn d-lg-none position-absolute top-0 p-10 right-0" > <em class="material-icons font-26" data-icon="close"></em> </button> </div> <div class="section-content pl-10 pr-20 pl-sm-50 pr-sm-60 pl-lg-5 pr-lg-10 pt-10 pt-lg-0 bg-gray-50 clear-catfish-ad"> <div class="toc mb-20"> <div class="font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-15 mb-15 mt-20"> Table of Contents </div> <ul class="list-unstyled my-0" data-level="h1"><li data-target="#ref1"><div class="pl-25"><a class="link-gray-900 w-100" href="/topic/chess">Introduction & Top Questions</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"></div></li><li data-target="#ref80413"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess#ref80413">Characteristics of the game</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80414"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess#ref80414">Algebraic notation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80415"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess#ref80415">Moves</a><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref80416"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess#ref80416">King</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref80417"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess#ref80417">Rook</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref80418"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess#ref80418">Bishop</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref80419"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess#ref80419">Queen</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref80420"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess#ref80420">Knight</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref80421"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess#ref80421">Capturing</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref80422"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess#ref80422">Pawns</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h3"><li data-target="#ref80423"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess#ref80423">Castling</a></li></ul></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80424"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess#ref80424">Relative piece values</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80425"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess#ref80425">Object of the game</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80426"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess#ref80426">Game notation</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80427"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess#ref80427">Conduct of the game</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref80428"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/History">History</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80429"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/History#ref80429">Ancient precursors and related games</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80430"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/History#ref80430">Introduction to Europe</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80431"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/History#ref80431">Standardization of rules</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80432"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/History#ref80432">Set design</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80433"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/History#ref80433">The world championship and FIDE</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80434"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/History#ref80434">Women in chess</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref80435"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/Development-of-theory">Development of theory</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80436"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/Development-of-theory#ref80436">Philidor and the birth of chess theory</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80437"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/Development-of-theory#ref80437">Morphy and the theory of attack</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80438"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/Development-of-theory#ref80438">Steinitz and the theory of equilibrium</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80439"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/Development-of-theory#ref80439">The classical era</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80440"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/Development-of-theory#ref80440">Hypermodernism</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80441"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/Development-of-theory#ref80441">The Soviet school</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80442"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/Development-of-theory#ref80442">The pragmatists</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref80443"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/The-time-element-and-competition">The time element and competition</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80444"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/The-time-element-and-competition#ref80444">Origin of time controls</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80445"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/The-time-element-and-competition#ref80445">Technological improvements</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80446"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/The-time-element-and-competition#ref80446">Standard controls</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80447"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/The-time-element-and-competition#ref80447">Quick chess</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80448"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/The-time-element-and-competition#ref80448">The Fischer clock</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80449"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/The-time-element-and-competition#ref80449">Correspondence chess</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref80450"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/Chess-and-artificial-intelligence">Chess and artificial intelligence</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80451"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/Chess-and-artificial-intelligence#ref80451">Master search heuristics</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80452"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/Chess-and-artificial-intelligence#ref80452">Computer chess</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80453"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/Chess-and-artificial-intelligence#ref80453">Computer extension of chess theory</a></li></ul></div></li><li data-target="#ref80454"><div class="d-flex align-items-center"><button class="h1-link-drawer-button btn btn-xs btn-circle d-flex rounded" type="button" aria-label="Toggle Heading"><em class="material-icons font-18" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></em></button><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/Chess-composition">Chess composition</a></div><div class="ml-40 toc-drawer sub-toc-drawer"><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80455"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/Chess-composition#ref80455">Studies</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80456"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/Chess-composition#ref80456">Standard problems</a></li></ul><ul class="list-unstyled" data-level="h2"><li data-target="#ref80457"><a class="w-100 link-gray-900" href="/topic/chess/Chess-composition#ref80457">Heterodox problems</a></li></ul></div></li></ul> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/chess/additional-info">References & Edit History</a> <a class="toc-extra-link link-gray-900" href="/facts/chess">Related Topics</a> </div> <div class="tlr-media-slider pb-10 mb-30"> <a class="section-header link-gray-900 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mb-10 mx-10" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/chess/images-videos">Images</a> <div class="slider js-slider position-relative d-inline-flex align-items-center mw-100 "> <div class="slider-container js-slider-container overflow-hidden d-flex overflow-hidden text-nowrap ml-15"> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/71/7471-004-C94F7C98/chessmen-Position-beginning-game-queen-rook-king.jpg" data-href="/media/1/109655/97" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/71/7471-004-C94F7C98/chessmen-Position-beginning-game-queen-rook-king.jpg" alt="position of chessmen at the beginning of a game" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/11/99011-050-6630DBCB/Zsofia-Susan-Judit-Polgar.jpg" data-href="/media/1/109655/95009" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/11/99011-004-8BFD0C17/Zsofia-Susan-Judit-Polgar.jpg" alt="Zsófia, Susan, and Judit Polgár" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/74/7474-050-A681C362/pseudo-automaton-Turk-cabinet-doors-spectators-machinery-Illustrated-1845.jpg" data-href="/media/1/109655/100" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/74/7474-004-4D797D16/pseudo-automaton-Turk-cabinet-doors-spectators-machinery-Illustrated-1845.jpg" alt="The Turk, a chess-playing pseudo-automaton" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/73/23873-004-20AFAF29/chess-composition-White-Black-pawn-king-Richard.jpg" data-href="/media/1/109655/19264" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/73/23873-004-20AFAF29/chess-composition-White-Black-pawn-king-Richard.jpg" alt="chess composition" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/77/23877-004-4460E54D/moves-chess-composition-Henri-Weenink-move-all.jpg" data-href="/media/1/109655/19268" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/77/23877-004-4460E54D/moves-chess-composition-Henri-Weenink-move-all.jpg" alt="chess composition by Henri Weenink" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/75/23875-004-E03CA0B0/moves-example-problems-chess-composition-key-Lev.jpg" data-href="/media/1/109655/19266" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/75/23875-004-E03CA0B0/moves-example-problems-chess-composition-key-Lev.jpg" alt="chess composition by Lev Loshinsky" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/76/23876-004-54D4CD4C/moves-chess-composition-b-pawn-pawns-pieces-advance.jpg" data-href="/media/1/109655/19267" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/76/23876-004-54D4CD4C/moves-chess-composition-b-pawn-pawns-pieces-advance.jpg" alt="chess composition by Sam Loyd" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/74/23874-004-EFEC091C/Black-chess-composition-continuation-Ghenrikh-Kasparyan-king.jpg" data-href="/media/1/109655/19265" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/74/23874-004-EFEC091C/Black-chess-composition-continuation-Ghenrikh-Kasparyan-king.jpg" alt="chess composition by Ghenrikh Kasparyan" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/78/23878-004-557ED927/problem-moves-chess-composition-author-Henry-Augustus.jpg" data-href="/media/1/109655/19269" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/78/23878-004-557ED927/problem-moves-chess-composition-author-Henry-Augustus.jpg" alt="chess composition by Henry Augustus Loveday" height="50" /> </a> <a href="https://cdn.britannica.com/79/23879-004-6CCE5728/moves-chess-composition-Henry-Wald-Bettman.jpg" data-href="/media/1/109655/19270" class="media-overlay-link d-inline-block mr-5"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/79/23879-004-6CCE5728/moves-chess-composition-Henry-Wald-Bettman.jpg" alt="chess composition by Henry Wald Bettman" height="50" /> </a> </div> <button disabled class="prev-button js-prev-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Previous"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></span> </button> <button disabled class="next-button js-next-button position-absolute btn btn-circle shadow btn-blue " aria-label="Next"> <span class="material-icons md-24" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_right"></span> </button> </div> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-student-links"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-10"> For Students </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/summary/chess"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/images/shared/default3.png?v=3.133.9" class="default " height="200" width="200"/> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/summary/chess" >chess summary</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-related-questions"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 pb-0 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-15"> Related Questions </div> <ul> <li class="link-gray-900 mb-15"><a class="" href="/question/When-does-a-game-of-chess-end">When does a game of chess end?</a> </li> <li class="link-gray-900 mb-15"><a class="" href="/question/Where-did-chess-originate">Where did chess originate?</a> </li> <li class="link-gray-900 mb-15"><a class="" href="/question/How-did-chess-become-popular">How did chess become popular?</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="mb-30 tlr-discover"> <div class="text-gray-900 p-5 font-serif font-14 font-weight-bold mx-10 mb-10"> Discover </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/how-does-wi-fi-work"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/18/197118-131-00A7D6AF/Computer-Code-Binary-Internet-Password-Data-Technology.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Binary Computer Code, Binary Code, Internet, Technology, Password, Data" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/how-does-wi-fi-work" >How Does Wi-Fi Work?</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/what-was-the-super-bowls-first-blockbuster-commercial"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/70/218970-131-6D978E0D/Atlanta-Georgia-Mercedes-Benz-Stadium-Superbowl-LIII-2019.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="January 21, 2019: Superbowl LIII will be played at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Sunday, February 3, 2019 against the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams." width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/what-was-the-super-bowls-first-blockbuster-commercial" >What Was the Super Bowl’s First Blockbuster Commercial?</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/the-lost-colony-of-roanoke"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/39/191439-131-59FE0A72/John-White-word-tree-CROATOAN-Roanoke-Island-1590.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="The Lost Colony of Roanoke, North Carolina, where 115 people mysteriously disappeared c. 1590. John White discovers the word Croatoan carved onto a tree upon his return to the deserted Roanoke Colony in 1590" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/the-lost-colony-of-roanoke" >The Lost Colony of Roanoke</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/10-women-scientists-who-should-be-famous-or-more-famous"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/38/148438-131-7A2FD02E/Maria-Telkes.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Dr. Maria Telkes, September 4, 1956." width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/list/10-women-scientists-who-should-be-famous-or-more-famous" >10 Women Scientists Who Should Be Famous (or More Famous)</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/secret-service-code-names-of-11-us-presidents"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/45/189145-131-45FF672E/Secret-Service-Agent-Earpiece.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Secret Service Agent Listens To Earpiece" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/list/secret-service-code-names-of-11-us-presidents" >Secret Service Code Names of 11 U.S. Presidents</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/10-democrats-who-made-history"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/89/164789-131-D3197AD4/Barack-Obama-2012.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="United States Presidential Election of 2012. Mitt Romney. Official portrait of President Barack Obama in the Oval Office, Dec. 6, 2012 after his reelection Nov. 6, 2012. Official portrait Obama" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/list/10-democrats-who-made-history" >10 Democrats Who Made History</a> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal tlr-img-with-side-link ml-15 link-gray-900 mb-10" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/7-nobel-prize-scandals"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/30/186230-131-03A4CF81/medal-winner-Nobel-Prize-Johannes-Diderik-Van.jpg?w=200&h=200&c=crop" alt="Commemorative medal of Nobel Prize winner, Johannes Diderik Van Der Waals" width="200" height="200" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/list/7-nobel-prize-scandals" >7 Nobel Prize Scandals</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <button class="drawerToggle btn position-sticky border btn-xs btn-white btn-circle rounded-sm d-none d-lg-flex " type="button" aria-label="Toggle Drawer"> <em class="material-icons font-18 text-blue" data-icon="keyboard_arrow_left"></em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="col"> <div class="h-100 ml-0 pr-lg-0 "> <div class="h-100 grid gx-0 gx-lg-20"> <div class="h-100 col-sm"> <div class="h-100 infinite-pagination-container d-flex flex-column position-relative"> <div class="position-absolute top-0 h-100 w-100"> <div class="toc-sticky-header d-none d-lg-none bg-gray-50 px-10 px-sm-30 position-sticky w-100 "> <div class="toc-sticky-header-inner-container align-items-center d-flex mx-auto h-100 w-100"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-sm btn-white text-blue border-2 border-gray-100 gtm-mobile-toc-header-button js-sections-button d-lg-none p-10"> <em class="material-icons my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Contents </button> <div class="header-ai-ask-button-placeholder"></div> <div class="header-ai-summarize-button-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="grey-box w-100 grey-box-top"> <div class="grey-box-content mx-auto w-100"> <script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement" : [ { "@type" : "ListItem", "position" : 1, "item" : { "@id" : "https://www.britannica.com/browse/Sports-Recreation", "name": "Sports & Recreation" } } , { "@type" : "ListItem", "position" : 2, "item" : { "@id" : "https://www.britannica.com/browse/Games-Hobbies-Recreational-Activities", "name": "Games, Hobbies & Recreational Activities" } } ] } </script> <nav class="breadcrumb mt-20"> <span class="breadcrumb-item "> <a class="link-gray-600" href="/browse/Sports-Recreation">Sports & Recreation</a> </span> <span class="breadcrumb-item "> <a class="link-gray-600" href="/browse/Games-Hobbies-Recreational-Activities">Games, Hobbies & Recreational Activities</a> </span> </nav> <div class="page2ref-true topic-content topic-type-REGULAR" data-student-article="true"> <script class="page-description-json" type="application/json"> { "url": "/topic/chess", "shareUrl": "https://www.britannica.com/topic/chess", "browserTitle": "Chess | Game, Setup, Board, & Pieces", "firstTopicPage": true, "topicId":109655 } </script> <div class="reading-channel"> <div class="desktop-header-image module-spacing"> <figure class="md-assembly m-0 mb-20 mb-md-0 card card-borderless print-false" data-assembly-id="13684" data-asm-type="image"> <div class="md-assembly-wrapper card-media " data-type="image"> <a style="min-height: 160px;" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/71/7471-004-C94F7C98/chessmen-Position-beginning-game-queen-rook-king.jpg" class="gtm-assembly-link position-relative d-flex align-items-center justify-content-center media-overlay-link card-media" data-href="/media/1/109655/97"> <picture> <source media="(min-width: 680px)" srcset="https://cdn.britannica.com/71/7471-004-C94F7C98/chessmen-Position-beginning-game-queen-rook-king.jpg?w=300"> <img src="https://cdn.britannica.com/71/7471-004-C94F7C98/chessmen-Position-beginning-game-queen-rook-king.jpg?w=400&h=300&c=crop" alt="position of chessmen at the beginning of a game" loading="eager" /> </picture> <button class="magnifying-glass btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white top-10 right-10" aria-label="Zoom in"> <em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </button> </a> </div> <figcaption class="card-body"> <div class="md-assembly-caption text-muted font-14 font-serif line-clamp"> <span> <a class="gtm-assembly-link md-assembly-title font-weight-bold d-inline font-sans-serif mr-5 media-overlay-link" href="https://cdn.britannica.com/71/7471-004-C94F7C98/chessmen-Position-beginning-game-queen-rook-king.jpg" data-href="/media/1/109655/97">position of chessmen at the beginning of a game</a> <span><span>Figure 1: <em>Position of chessmen at the beginning of a game.</em> They are queen's rook (QR), queen's knight (QN), queen's bishop (QB), queen (Q), king (K), king's bishop (KB), king's knight (KN), king's rook (KR); the chessmen in front of these pieces are the pawns.</span></span> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-white js-content" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <span class="link-blue">(more)</span> </button> </span> </div> </figcaption> </figure> </div><div class="topic-header"> <div class="d-flex align-items-top justify-content-between"> <div class="d-flex flex-column"> <div> <div> <h1>chess</h1></div> </div> <div class="topic-identifier font-16 font-md-20">game</div> </div> </div> <div class="d-none d-sm-flex flex-row"> <div class="mr-10 mb-15"> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="d-block md-topic-tools qa-action-buttons mb-15" data-topic-id="109655"> <button class="js-tooltip btn btn-sm btn-outline-blue border pr-10 border-2 text-nowrap" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="more_vert"></em> More Actions </button> <div class="md-more-popover popover popover-sm p-0 font-14 z-1"> <div> <button class="js-print-modal-button js-modal gtm-topic-tool btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=109655] .md-print-modal" > <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="print"></em> Print </button> <div class="md-print-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10">print</em> Print </div> <div class="mt-20 mb-10"> Please select which sections you would like to print: </div> <form action="/print/article/109655" method="post" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> <div class="print-box-items"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li><label><input class="mr-10" type="checkbox" name="sequence[]" value="0">Table Of Contents</label></li> </ul> </div> <input type="submit" class="btn btn-blue md-disabled" value="Print" /> </form> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-modal qa-cite-modal-button btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=109655] .md-cite-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="verified"></em> Cite </button> <div class="md-cite-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom mb-15"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10">verified</em>Cite </div> <div class="font-serif"> While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. </div> <div class="label mt-20 mb-10">Select Citation Style</div> <select class="js-citation-format-select form-select"> <option selected value="mla">MLA</option> <option value="apa">APA</option> <option value="chicago">Chicago Manual of Style</option> </select> <div class="citation font-serif border rounded p-15 mt-20" data-authors="Soltis, Andrew E." data-authors-initial="Soltis, A.E." data-title="chess" data-published-date="25 Jan. 2025" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/topic/chess" > <div class="citation-text"></div> </div> <button class="js-copy-citation-button mt-20 btn btn-xs btn-outline-blue border shadow-sm pr-10" > <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 my-n5 mr-5" data-icon="file_copy"></em> <span class="js-citation-status-text">Copy Citation</span> </button> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-share-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=109655] .md-share-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="share"></em> Share </button> <div class="md-share-modal size-lg d-none qa-share-modal"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif d-flex align-items-center pb-15 border-bottom"> <em class="material-icons text-blue mr-10" data-icon="share"></em> Share </div> <div class="label my-20">Share to social media</div> <div class="md-social-toolbar-circle d-flex align-items-start inverted" data-value="share" title="chess" data-url="https://www.britannica.com/topic/chess" > <a class="social-icon facebook justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="facebook" href="https://www.facebook.com/BRITANNICA/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>Facebook</span></a> <a class="social-icon x justify-content-center d-flex align-items-center align-self-center" data-provider="x" href="https://x.com/britannica" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span>X</span></a> </div> <div class="label pt-20 mt-20 mb-5 border-top">URL</div> <a class="font-serif text-truncate d-inline-block" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/chess">https://www.britannica.com/topic/chess</a> </div> </div> </div> <div> <button class="js-feedback-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal=".md-feedback-modal"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="message"></em> Feedback </button> </div> <div> <button class="qa-external-website-modal-button js-modal btn btn-sm btn-link gtm-topic-tool font-weight-bold btn-link" data-modal="[data-topic-id=109655] .md-websites-modal"> <em class="material-icons md-icon ml-n10 mr-5" data-icon="link"></em> External Websites </button> </div> </div> <div class="md-feedback-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif pb-15 border-bottom"> Feedback </div> <form method="post" action="/submission/feedback/109655"> <div class="my-20"> Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). </div> <div class="type-menu"> <label for="feedback-type" class="label mb-10">Feedback Type</label> <select id="feedback-type" class="form-select mb-30" name="feedbackTypeId" required> <option value="" selected="selected">Select a type (Required)</option> <option value="1">Factual Correction</option> <option value="2">Spelling/Grammar Correction</option> <option value="3">Link Correction</option> <option value="4">Additional Information</option> <option value="5">Other</option> </select> </div> <label for="feedback" class="label mb-10">Your Feedback</label> <textarea id="feedback" class="form-control mb-30" name="feedback" maxlength="3000" rows="7" required></textarea> <button class="btn btn-blue" type="submit">Submit Feedback</button> </form> <div class="success-messaging d-none mt-30"> <div class="title">Thank you for your feedback</div> <p>Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.</p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="md-websites-modal size-lg d-none"> <div class="md-modal-body"> <div class="h2 font-serif pb-15 border-bottom font-weight-bold"> External Websites </div> <div class="pb-20"> <ul class="list-unstyled mt-20 lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/09/28/long-history-chess-cheating-carlsen-neimann/" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">The Washington Post - In chess, a long history of cheating, chicanery and Cold War shenanigans</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.livescience.com/32431-who-invented-chess.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Live Science - Who invented chess?</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/how-to-play-chess-611541" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">The Spruce Crafts - How to play Chess</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.fide.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Official Site of International Chess Federation</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.academia.edu/9670480/BENEFITS_OF_PLAYING_CHESS_AND_ITS_APPLICATIONS_IN_EDUCATION" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Academia - Benefits of Playing Chess and its Applications in Education</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.iranchamber.com/sport/chess/chess_iranian_invention.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">Iran Chamber Society - Chess, Iranian or Indian Invention?</a></li> <li><a class="external" href="https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/chess-a-board-game" target="_blank" rel="noopener ">Encyclopaedia Iranica - Chess</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-title">Britannica Websites</div> <div class="md-websites-ebk-subtitle">Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.</div> <ul class="list-unstyled bps-topic-web-sites lh-lg"> <li><a class="external" href="https://kids.britannica.com/students/article/chess/273625" target="_blank" rel="noopener">chess - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="toc-header-marker"></div> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 js-header-ai-ask-button d-none btn-sm btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 mr-0 mr-lg-10 ml-5 ml-sm-10 ml-lg-0 p-10"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> <div class="md-byline module-spacing "> <div class="font-serif font-12"> <span class="written-by text-gray-700"> Written by </span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 qa-editor-popup gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor" href="/contributor/Andrew-E-Soltis/4249" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">Andrew E. Soltis</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 clamp-description text-black">Solitis is a Grandmaster of chess and one of the most distinguished writers on the game. His column “Chess to Enjoy” is one of the longest-running columns in <em>Chess Life</em>, the monthly publication...</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link gtm-byline font-12 byline-contributor text-decoration-underline"> Andrew E. Soltis</span></div> <div class="font-serif font-12 text-gray-700"> <span class="qa-fact-checked-by">Fact-checked by</span> <div class="editor-popover popover p-0"> <a class="d-block p-20 qa-editor-popup font-12" href="/editor/The-Editors-of-Encyclopaedia-Britannica/4419" > <div class="editor-title font-16 font-weight-bold">The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</div> <div class="editor-description font-12 font-serif mt-5 text-black">Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.</div> </a> <div data-popper-arrow></div> </div> <span class="btn btn-link editor-link p-0 qa-byline-link font-12 "> The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica</span></div> <div class="last-updated font-12 font-serif"> <span class="text-gray-700"> Last Updated: <time datetime="2025-01-25T00:00:00CST" >Jan 25, 2025</time> •</span> <a class="byline-edit-history" href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/chess/additional-info#history" rel="nofollow">Article History</a> </div></div> </div> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button d-none d-sm-block js-sections-inline-button module-spacing btn d-lg-none"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <div class="d-flex d-sm-none flex-row"> <button class="d-flex d-lg-none btn btn-outline-blue border rounded-sm shadow-sm mobile-toc-button gtm-mobile-toc-inline-button js-sections-inline-button module-spacing"> <em class="material-icons mr-5 ml-n10 my-n5 md-icon" data-icon="toc"></em> Table of Contents </button> <button class="ai-ask-button btn border-2 ai-ask-button btn border-2 module-spacing btn-sm js-inline-ai-ask-button btn-outline-red-400 border-red-400 p-10 ml-5"> Ask the Chatbot a Question </button> </div> <div class="js-qf-module qf-module px-40 px-sm-20 py-15 mx-auto module-spacing font-14 bg-gray-50 rounded"> <div class="facts-list mt-10"> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Key People: </dt> <dd><a href="/biography/Ding-Liren" topicid="2226344">Ding Liren</a></dd> <dd><a href="/biography/Ju-Wenjun" topicid="2226348">Ju Wenjun</a></dd> <dd><a href="/biography/Gukesh-Dommaraju" topicid="2258602">Gukesh Dommaraju</a></dd> <dd><a href="/biography/Viswanathan-Anand" topicid="1016171">Viswanathan Anand</a></dd> <dd><a href="/biography/Susan-Polgar" topicid="467283">Susan Polgar</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> </div> <div class=""> <div class="js-fact mb-10 line-clamp clamp-3"> <dl> <dt>Related Topics: </dt> <dd><a href="/topic/shogi" topicid="541430">shogi</a></dd> <dd><a href="/topic/chessmen" topicid="109717">chess piece</a></dd> <dd><a href="/sports/Chinese-chess" topicid="112417">Chinese chess</a></dd> <dd><a href="/topic/list-of-chess-players" topicid="2251787">list of chess players</a></dd> <dd><a href="/topic/hole-chess" topicid="269195">hole</a></dd> </dl> <button class="js-more-btn d-none btn btn-unstyled font-12 bg-gray-50" aria-label="Toggle more/less fact data"> <em class="js-content link-blue">(Show more)</em> </button> </div> <div class="text-center"> <a class="btn btn-sm btn-link p-0" href="/facts/chess"> See all related content </a> </div> </div> </div> </div><script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>What is chess?<\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Chess is one of the oldest and most popular board games. It is played by two opponents on a checkered board with specially designed pieces of contrasting colours, commonly white and black. The objective of the game is to capture the opponent\u2019s king." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>When does a game of chess end?<\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "A game of chess ends when a player puts the opposing player\u2019s king in a position that cannot avoid capture (checkmate). A game can also be won or lost through concession. A chess match can also end in a draw. This can happen through stalemate, mutual consent, checkmate being impossible to achieve, and in other ways. " } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>Where did chess originate?<\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Chess first appeared in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/place\/India\">India<\/a> about the 6th century CE. By the 10th century it had spread from Asia to the Middle East and Europe. Some regard the game <em>chaturanga<\/em> to be the precursor of modern chess because of the different piece abilities and the win condition being the capture of a singular piece (king)." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>Who is the youngest chess world champion?<\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "<a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Garry-Kasparov\">Garry Kasparov<\/a> was the youngest ever chess world champion. In 1985, at just 22 years of age, the Soviet-born grandmaster defeated <a href=\"https:\/\/www.britannica.com\/biography\/Anatoly-Yevgenyevich-Karpov\">Anatoly Karpov<\/a> to gain this title." } } , { "@type" : "Question", "name" : "<div>How did chess become popular?<\/div><em><\/em>", "acceptedAnswer" : { "@type" : "Answer", "text" : "Originally, chess was an intellectual diversion among the upper classes. Chess grew further in the 20th century as it became a profession where people competed for a world title and prize money. Today the Internet has accelerated the growth of chess, with chess content widely available via platforms such as YouTube and Twitch." } } ] } </script> <div class="top-questions qa-accordion d-flex flex-column module-spacing"><div class="font-weight-bold font-14 mb-5"> Top Questions </div><div id="intent-accordion" class="md-intent-accordion"><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="1"> <h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>What is chess?</div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3> <div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p>Chess is one of the oldest and most popular board games. It is played by two opponents on a checkered board with specially designed pieces of contrasting colours, commonly white and black. The objective of the game is to capture the opponent’s king.</p></div></div> </div><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="2"> <h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>When does a game of chess end?</div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3> <div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p>A game of chess ends when a player puts the opposing player’s king in a position that cannot avoid capture (checkmate). A game can also be won or lost through concession. A chess match can also end in a draw. This can happen through stalemate, mutual consent, checkmate being impossible to achieve, and in other ways. </p></div></div> </div><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="3"> <h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>Where did chess originate?</div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3> <div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p>Chess first appeared in <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/India" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">India</a> about the 6th century CE. By the 10th century it had spread from Asia to the Middle East and Europe. Some regard the game <em>chaturanga</em> to be the precursor of modern chess because of the different piece abilities and the win condition being the capture of a singular piece (king).</p></div></div> </div><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="4"> <h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>Who is the youngest chess world champion?</div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3> <div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p><a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Garry-Kasparov" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Garry Kasparov</a> was the youngest ever chess world champion. In 1985, at just 22 years of age, the Soviet-born grandmaster defeated <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Anatoly-Yevgenyevich-Karpov" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Anatoly Karpov</a> to gain this title.</p></div></div> </div><div class="top-question bg-gray-50 rounded" data-value="5"> <h3 class="accordion--question font-14 font-weight-normal cursor-pointer rounded"><div class="pe-none d-flex justify-content-between align-items-center"><div>How did chess become popular?</div><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></div></h3> <div class="accordion--answer hidden p-15 pt-5 font-16 mb-5"><div class="accordion--answer-copy"><p>Originally, chess was an intellectual diversion among the upper classes. Chess grew further in the 20th century as it became a profession where people competed for a world title and prize money. Today the Internet has accelerated the growth of chess, with chess content widely available via platforms such as YouTube and Twitch.</p></div></div> </div><button class="show-more-button js-toggle-top-questions btn btn-unstyled font-14 d-flex pr-10 rounded-sm"><em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_more"></em></button></div></div><div class="bg-gray-50 p-15 rounded module-spacing recent-news d-flex flex-column float-false"> <div> <h2 class="font-weight-bold font-14 m-0 d-inline"> News <span class="text-gray-600">•</span> </h2> <div class="recent-news-item first-recent-news-item d-inline"> <a class="font-14 gtm-ap-news-link" href="https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/chess/magnus-carlsen-lost-9-year-old-bangladesh-fide-master-claims-9787664/" rel="nofollow">Magnus Carlsen lost to 9-year-old from Bangladesh? FIDE Master makes stunning claim, but there’s a catch</a> <span class="font-14 text-gray-600"> <span>•</span> Jan. 22, 2025, 1:30 AM ET (The Indian Express) </span> </div> </div> <div class="rest-of-recent-news-items"> <button class="js-toggle-recent-news d-flex btn btn-unstyled font-14 pr-10 rounded-sm mt-10" aria-label="Toggle additional news items"> Show less <em class="material-icons" data-icon="expand_less"></em> </button> </div> </div><span class="marker before-article"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref1"><span class="marker PREMOD1 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><strong><span id="ref7608"></span>chess</strong>, one of the oldest and most popular board games, played by two opponents on a checkered board with specially designed pieces of contrasting colours, commonly white and black. White moves first, after which the players alternate turns in accordance with fixed rules, each player attempting to force the opponent’s principal piece, the King, into checkmate—a position where it is unable to avoid capture.</p><span class="marker MOD1 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD2 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><em><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/Worry-About-Human-Not-Machine-Intelligence-2119055" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">(Read Garry Kasparov’s Britannica essay on chess & Deep Blue.)</a></em></p><span class="marker MOD2 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD3 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Chess first appeared in India about the 6th century <span class="text-smallcaps">ad</span> and by the 10th century had spread from Asia to the <a href="https://www.britannica.com/place/Middle-East" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Middle East</a> and <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-Europe" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Europe</a>. Since at least the 15th century, chess has been known as the “royal game” because of its popularity among the nobility. Rules and set design slowly evolved until both reached today’s standard in the early 19th century. Once an <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="intellectual" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intellectual" data-type="MW">intellectual</a> diversion favoured by the upper classes, chess went through an explosive growth in interest during the 20th century as professional and state-sponsored players competed for an officially recognized world championship title and increasingly lucrative tournament prizes. Organized chess tournaments, postal correspondence games, and Internet chess now attract men, women, and children around the world.</p><span class="marker MOD3 mod-inline"></span><span class="marker PREMOD4 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">This article provides an in-depth review of the history and the theory of the game by noted author and international grandmaster Andrew Soltis. </p><span class="marker MOD4 mod-inline"></span></section> <span class="marker h2"></span><section data-level="1" id="ref80413"> <h2 class="h1">Characteristics of the game</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD5 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Chess is played on a <span id="ref7609"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/chessboard" class="md-crosslink ">board</a> of 64 squares arranged in eight vertical rows called <span id="ref7610"></span>files and eight horizontal rows called <span id="ref7611"></span>ranks. These squares <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="alternate" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/alternate" data-type="EB">alternate</a> between two colours: one light, such as white, beige, or yellow; and the other dark, such as black or green. The board is set between the two opponents so that each player has a light-coloured square at the right-hand corner.</p><div class="module-spacing"> </div><span class="marker MOD5 mod-inline"></span> <section data-level="2" id="ref80414"> <h2 class="h2"><span id="ref7612"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/algebraic-notation" class="md-crosslink ">Algebraic notation</a></h2> <span class="marker PREMOD6 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Individual moves and entire games can be recorded using one of several forms of notation. By far the most widely used form, algebraic (or coordinate) notation, identifies each square from the point of view of the player with the light-coloured pieces, called White. The eight ranks are numbered 1 through 8 beginning with the rank closest to White. The files are labeled a through h beginning with the file at White’s left hand. Each square has a name consisting of its letter and number, such as b3 or g8. Additionally, files a through d are referred to as the queenside, and files e through h as the kingside. See <span class="link-blue media-overlay-link asmref" data-href="/media/1/109655/97">Figure 1</span>.</p><span class="marker MOD6 mod-inline"></span> </section> <section data-level="2" id="ref80415"> <h2 class="h2">Moves</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD7 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The board represents a battlefield in which two armies fight to capture each other’s king. A player’s army consists of 16 pieces that begin play on the two ranks closest to that player. There are six different types of pieces: king, rook, bishop, queen, knight, and pawn; the pieces are distinguished by appearance and by how they move. The players alternate moves, White going first.</p><div class="module-spacing"> <DIV class="marketing-INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION marketing-content" data-marketing-id="INLINE_SUBSCRIPTION"><style> .student-promo-banner-wrapper { container-type: inline-size; margin-bottom: 15px; } @container (min-width: 475px) { .student-promo-banner { flex-direction: row; } .student-promo-banner-img-wrapper { margin-bottom: 0; margin-right: 10px; justify-content: flex-start; } .student-promo-banner-text-wrapper { text-align: left; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 10px; } .student-promo-banner-button-wrapper { margin-right: 0; } }</style> <div class="student-promo-banner-wrapper"> <div class="student-promo-banner d-flex flex-column align-items-center bg-blue rounded p-20"> <div class="student-promo-banner-img-wrapper mb-20 mr-0 d-flex justify-content-center"> <img class="rounded" style="max-width: 100px; min-width: 80px" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/marketing/BlueThistle.webp" /> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-text-wrapper ml-0 mb-10 text-center text-white"> <div class="h2 mb-10">Get Unlimited Access</div> <div class="h4 font-weight-semi-bold">Try Britannica Premium for free and discover more.</div> </div> <div class="student-promo-banner-button-wrapper d-flex justify-content-center align-items-center ml-auto mr-auto"> <a class="btn btn-m btn-orange" href="https://premium.britannica.com/premium-membership/?utm_source=premium&utm_medium=inline-cta&utm_campaign=august-2024">Subscribe</a> </div> </div> </div> </DIV></div><span class="marker MOD7 mod-inline"></span> <section data-level="3" id="ref80416"> <h2 class="h3"><span id="ref7613"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/king-chess" class="md-crosslink ">King</a></h2> <span class="marker PREMOD8 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">White’s king begins the game on e1. Black’s king is opposite at e8. Each king can move one square in any direction; e.g., White’s king can move from e1 to d1, d2, e2, f2, or f1.</p><span class="marker MOD8 mod-inline"></span> </section> <section data-level="3" id="ref80417"> <h2 class="h3"><span id="ref7614"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/rook-chess" class="md-crosslink ">Rook</a></h2> <span class="marker PREMOD9 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Each player has two rooks (formerly also known as castles), which begin the game on the corner squares a1 and h1 for White, a8 and h8 for Black. A rook can move vertically or horizontally to any unobstructed square along the file or rank on which it is placed.</p><span class="marker MOD9 mod-inline"></span> </section> <section data-level="3" id="ref80418"> <h2 class="h3"><span id="ref7615"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/bishop-chess" class="md-crosslink ">Bishop</a></h2> <span class="marker PREMOD10 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Each player has two bishops, and they begin the game at c1 and f1 for White, c8 and f8 for Black. A bishop can move to any unobstructed square on the diagonal on which it is placed. Therefore, each player has one bishop that travels only on light-coloured squares and one bishop that travels only on dark-coloured squares.</p><span class="marker MOD10 mod-inline"></span> </section> <section data-level="3" id="ref80419"> <h2 class="h3"><span id="ref7616"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/queen-chess" class="md-crosslink ">Queen</a></h2> <span class="marker PREMOD11 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Each player has one queen, which <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="combines" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/combines" data-type="EB">combines</a> the powers of the rook and bishop and is thus the most mobile and powerful piece. The White queen begins at d1, the Black queen at d8.</p><span class="marker MOD11 mod-inline"></span> </section> <section data-level="3" id="ref80420"> <h2 class="h3"><span id="ref7617"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/knight-chess" class="md-crosslink ">Knight</a></h2> <span class="marker PREMOD12 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Each player has two knights, and they begin the game on the squares between their rooks and bishops—i.e., at b1 and g1 for White and b8 and g8 for Black. The knight has the trickiest move, an L-shape of two steps: first one square like a rook, then one square like a bishop, but always in a direction away from the starting square. A knight at e4 could move to f2, g3, g5, f6, d6, c5, c3, or d2. The knight has the <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="unique" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/unique" data-type="EB">unique</a> ability to jump over any other piece to reach its destination. It always moves to a square of a different colour.</p><span class="marker MOD12 mod-inline"></span> </section> <section data-level="3" id="ref80421"> <h2 class="h3">Capturing</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD13 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The king, rook, bishop, queen, and knight capture enemy pieces in the same manner that they move. For example, a White queen on d3 can capture a Black rook at h7 by moving to h7 and removing the enemy piece from the board. Pieces can capture only enemy pieces.</p><span class="marker MOD13 mod-inline"></span> </section> <section data-level="3" id="ref80422"> <h2 class="h3"><span id="ref7618"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/pawn-chess" class="md-crosslink ">Pawns</a></h2> <span class="marker PREMOD14 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Each player has eight pawns, which begin the game on the second rank closest to each player; i.e., White’s pawns start at a2, b2, c2, and so on, while Black’s pawns start at a7, b7, c7, and so on. The pawns are unique in several ways. A <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="pawn" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/pawn" data-type="EB">pawn</a> can move only forward; it can never retreat. It moves differently than it captures. A pawn moves to the square directly ahead of it but captures on the squares diagonally in front of it; e.g., a White pawn at f5 can move to f6 but can capture only on g6 or e6. An unmoved pawn has the option of moving one or two squares forward. This is the reason for another peculiar option, called <span id="ref7619"></span>en passant—that is, in passing—available to a pawn when an enemy pawn on an adjoining file advances two squares on its initial move and could have been captured had it moved only one square. The first pawn can take the advancing pawn en passant, as if it had advanced only one square. An en passant capture must be made then or not at all. Only <span id="ref7620"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/pawn-promotion" class="md-crosslink ">pawns</a> can be captured en passant. The last unique feature of the pawn occurs if it reaches the end of a file; it must then be promoted to—that is, exchanged for—a queen, rook, bishop, or knight.</p><span class="marker MOD14 mod-inline"></span> </section> <section data-level="3" id="ref80423"> <h2 class="h3"><span id="ref7621"></span>Castling</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD15 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">The one exception to the rule that a player may move only one piece at a time is a <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="compound" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/compound" data-type="MW">compound</a> move of king and rook called castling. A player castles by shifting the king two squares in the direction of a rook, which is then placed on the square the king has crossed. For example, White can castle kingside by moving the king from e1 to g1 and the rook from h1 to f1. Castling is permitted only once in a game and is prohibited if the king or rook has previously moved or if any of the squares between them is occupied. Also, castling is not legal if the square the king starts on, crosses, or finishes on is attacked by an enemy piece.</p><span class="marker MOD15 mod-inline"></span> </section> </section> <section data-level="2" id="ref80424"> <h2 class="h2">Relative piece values</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD16 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Assigning the pawn a value of 1, the values of the other pieces are approximately as follows: knight 3, bishop 3, rook 5, and queen 9. The relative values of knights and bishops vary with different pawn structures. Additionally, tactical considerations may temporarily override the pieces’ usual relative values. Material concerns are secondary to winning.</p><span class="marker MOD16 mod-inline"></span> </section> <section data-level="2" id="ref80425"> <h2 class="h2">Object of the game</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD17 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">When a player moves a piece to a square on which it attacks the enemy king—that is, a square from which it could capture the king if the king is not shielded or moved—the king is said to be in <span id="ref7622"></span>check. The game is won when one king is in check and cannot <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="avoid" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/avoid" data-type="EB">avoid</a> capture on the next move; this is called <span id="ref7623"></span>checkmate. A game also can end when a player, believing the situation to be hopeless, acknowledges defeat by resigning.</p><span class="marker MOD17 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD18 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">There are three possible results in chess: win, lose, or <span id="ref7624"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/drawn-game" class="md-crosslink ">draw</a>. There are six ways a draw can come about: (1) by mutual consent, (2) when neither player has enough pieces to deliver checkmate, (3) when one player can check the enemy king endlessly (<span id="ref7625"></span>perpetual check), (4) when a player who is not in check has no legal move (<span id="ref7626"></span>stalemate), (5) when an identical position occurs <span id="ref7627"></span>three times with the same player having the right to move, and (6) when no piece has been captured and no pawn has been moved within a period of <span id="ref7628"></span>50 moves.</p><span class="marker MOD18 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD19 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">In competitive events, a victory is scored as one point, a draw as half a point, and a loss as no points.</p><span class="marker MOD19 mod-inline"></span> </section> <section data-level="2" id="ref80426"> <h2 class="h2"><span id="ref7629"></span><a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/algebraic-notation" class="md-crosslink ">Game notation</a></h2> <span class="marker PREMOD20 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">A move can be recorded by <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="designating" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/designating" data-type="EB">designating</a> the initial of the piece moved and the square to which it moves. For example, Be5 means a bishop has moved to e5. There are two exceptions: a knight is identified by N, and no initials are used for pawn moves. For example, 1 e4 means White’s first move is a two-square advance of a pawn on the e-file, and 1 . . . Nf6 means Black’s response is to bring a knight from g8 to f6. For both White and Black, castling kingside is indicated by 0-0, while castling queenside is notated by 0-0-0. Captures are indicated by inserting an x or : between the piece moving and the square it moves to. For pawn moves, this means dxe5 indicates a White pawn on d4 captures a piece on e5. En passant captures are designated by e.p. Checks are indicated by adding ch or + at the end of the move, and checkmate is often indicated by adding # or ++ at the end of the move. Notation is used to record games as they are played and to analyze them in print afterward. In <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off mw" data-term="annotating" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/annotating" data-type="MW">annotating</a> (commenting) on a game, an appended exclamation mark means a very good move, two exclamation marks are occasionally used to indicate an extremely good move, a question mark indicates a bad move, two question marks indicate a blunder, and the combination of an exclamation mark and a question mark on the same move indicates a double-edged or somewhat dubious move.</p><span class="marker MOD20 mod-inline"></span> </section> <section data-level="2" id="ref80427"> <h2 class="h2">Conduct of the game</h2> <span class="marker PREMOD21 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">Competitive chess is played according to a set of rules that supplement the basic <span id="ref7630"></span>laws governing how the pieces move. Among the more important rules are those governing completion of a move, recording of games, time controls (see <a href="https://www.britannica.com/topic/chess/The-time-element-and-competition#ref80443" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">The time element and competition</a>), and penalties for illegal moves and other infractions.</p><span class="marker MOD21 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD22 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph"><a href="https://www.britannica.com/sports/tournament-medieval-military-games" class="md-crosslink " data-show-preview="true">Tournament</a> and match chess is distinguished from casual games by the strict <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="provisions" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/provisions" data-type="EB">provisions</a> for completing a move. Unless preceded by the warning “I adjust” (French: “j’adoube”), a <span id="ref7631"></span>piece touched must be moved or captured (if legally possible), and a completed move may not be retracted. The players also are obligated to record their moves. Only after making a move can they stop their allotted time from elapsing, usually by depressing a device on the chess clock used in competitive play.</p><div class="one-good-fact-module"> </div><span class="marker MOD22 mod-inline"></span> <span class="marker PREMOD23 mod-inline"></span><p class="topic-paragraph">A player can be penalized in a variety of ways, including forfeiture of the game, for consulting another player or any recorded material during the game, for analyzing the game on another board, or for distracting the opponent. Any player who realizes during a game that an illegal move has been made may demand that the position before the infraction be <a class="md-dictionary-link md-dictionary-tt-off eb" data-term="reinstated" href="https://www.britannica.com/dictionary/reinstated" data-type="EB">reinstated</a> and that play proceed from there. If the illegality is discovered after the game is completed, the result stands without penalty.</p><span class="marker MOD23 mod-inline"></span> </section> </section> <span class="marker end-of-content"></span><span class="marker after-article"></span></div> <div id="chatbot-root"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ai-dialog-placeholder"></div> </div> </div> <aside class="col-md-da-320"></aside> </div> </div> </div> </div> </article> </div> </div> </div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <noscript><iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5W6NC8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript> <script type="text/javascript" id="_informizely_script_tag"> var IzWidget = IzWidget || {}; (function (d) { var scriptElement = d.createElement('script'); scriptElement.type = 'text/javascript'; scriptElement.async = true; scriptElement.src = "https://insitez.blob.core.windows.net/site/f780f33e-a610-4ac2-af81-3eb184037547.js"; var node = d.getElementById('_informizely_script_tag'); node.parentNode.insertBefore(scriptElement, node); } )(document); </script>  <script> window.ap3c = window.ap3c || {}; var ap3c = window.ap3c; ap3c.cmd = ap3c.cmd || []; ap3c.cmd.push(function() { ap3c.init('ZO4siT4cLwnykPnzZWJtd3Byb2Q', 'https://engage.email.britannica.com/'); ap3c.track({v: 0}); }); ap3c.activity = function(act) { ap3c.act = (ap3c.act || []); ap3c.act.push(act); }; var s, t; s = document.createElement('script'); s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.src = "https://engage.email.britannica.com/app.js"; t = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; t.parentNode.insertBefore(s, t); </script> <script class="marketing-page-info" type="application/json"> {"pageType":"Topic","templateName":"DESKTOP","pageNumber":1,"pagesTotal":6,"pageId":109655,"pageLength":1887,"initialLoad":true,"lastPageOfScroll":false} </script> <script class="marketing-content-info" type="application/json"> [] </script> <script src="https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/js/libs/jquery-3.5.0.min.js?v=3.133.9"></script> <script type="text/javascript" data-type="Init Mendel Code Splitting"> (function() { $.ajax({ dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: 'https://cdn.britannica.com/mendel-resources/3-133/dist/topic-page.js?v=3.133.9' }); })(); </script> <script class="analytics-metadata" type="application/json"> {"leg":"B","adLeg":"B","userType":"ANONYMOUS","pageType":"Topic","pageSubtype":null,"articleTemplateType":"PAGINATED","gisted":false,"pageNumber":1,"hasSummarizeButton":false,"hasAskButton":true} </script> <script type="text/javascript"> EBStat={accountId:-1,hostnameOverride:'webstats.eb.com',domain:'www.britannica.com', json:''}; </script> <script type="text/javascript"> ( function() { $.ajax( { dataType: 'script', cache: true, url: '//www.britannica.com/webstats/mendelstats.js?v=1' } ) .done( function() { try {writeStat(null,EBStat);} catch(err){} } ); })(); </script> <div id="bc-fixed-dialogue"></div> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

Chess | Game, Setup, Board, & Pieces | Britannica