--- title: "Chess basics" description: "9 topics in Chess, in the order they build on each other." canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/chess/areas/chess-basics source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/chess/areas/chess-basics.md retrieved: 2026-10-19 --- > **Agent view.** This is the Markdown twin of the page, for tools and assistants. > When to use this site, and the call that answers each job: https://lightmysky.com/agent-instructions.md > API description (OpenAPI 3.1): https://lightmysky.com/openapi.json · Authentication: https://lightmysky.com/auth.md > Pricing: https://lightmysky.com/pricing.md · Catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms.txt · Full catalog: https://lightmysky.com/llms-full.txt > Every machine-readable file on this domain: https://lightmysky.com/.well-known/ai-catalog.json > Ask for Markdown with `Accept: text/markdown`, a `.md` address, or `?mode=agent`. # Chess basics 9 topics in Chess, in the order they build on each other. Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/chess/areas/chess-basics - [The board and setting it up](https://lightmysky.com/learn/chess/the-board-and-setting-it-up-ct_yl8BQGr-zn4): The 64 squares and where every piece starts. - [How rooks and bishops move](https://lightmysky.com/learn/chess/how-rooks-and-bishops-move-ct_1zmskuQE6TE): Straight lines for the rook, diagonals for the bishop. - [How the queen and king move](https://lightmysky.com/learn/chess/how-the-queen-and-king-move-ct_1mQxRof2KO8): The strongest piece and the most important one. - [The knight's jump](https://lightmysky.com/learn/chess/the-knights-jump-ct_mPGl83Ay3OU): The L-shaped move and the only piece that jumps. - [Pawns, capturing, and promotion](https://lightmysky.com/learn/chess/pawns-capturing-and-promotion-ct_4XOtOIhTbws): How pawns move, take, and turn into a stronger piece. - [Check and getting out of it](https://lightmysky.com/learn/chess/check-and-getting-out-of-it-ct_yFf5pURph_s): When the king is attacked and the three ways to escape. - [Simple checkmates](https://lightmysky.com/learn/chess/simple-checkmates-ct_JP-fgSJrY6U): Back-rank mate and the two-rook ladder. - [Making good trades](https://lightmysky.com/learn/chess/making-good-trades-ct_z4y-wLtcoTY): Piece values and how to come out ahead. - [First opening ideas](https://lightmysky.com/learn/chess/first-opening-ideas-ct_hHjgl2wQAZI): Take the center, develop your pieces, and castle.