StepByStep Index

Chess Opening Tutorial : Queen's Gambit Declined - 4.Bg5
Chess Opening Tutorial : Queen's Gambit Declined - 4.Bg5 (1/10)• A popular response by Black to 1.d4 is the Queen's Gambit Declined (often abbreviated QGD) : 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6. The game usually continues 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Bg5, which pins the Black Knight and threatens 5.cxd5 exd5 6.Bxf6 gxf6, ruining Black's Kingside. As with most Queen Pawn openings, the QGD move orders are flexible. In this tutorial we look at the main ideas.

Chess Opening Tutorial : English - 1...e5
Chess Opening Tutorial : English - 1...e5 (1/10)• The variation 1.c4 e5 of the English Opening is called the Reversed Sicilian. Because the Reversed Sicilian is a tempo ahead of the Sicilian, many beginning players assume there must be something wrong with it for Black. Experienced players know that even if not logical, it is eminently playable.

Chess Opening Tutorial : Ruy Lopez - 3...a6 Closed Variation
Chess Opening Tutorial : Ruy Lopez - 3...a6 Closed Variation (1/10) • The moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 (Ruy Lopez) 3...a6 (Morphy Defense) 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.O-O Be7 (Closed Variation) 6.Re1 b5 7.Bb3 d6 8.c3 O-O, lead to the most common position in chess after eight moves by both sides. One reason for its popularity is that the opponents have so many plans available.

Chess Notation
Chess notation gives us the means to record and publish chess games. The most commonly used notation is algebraic, but it's useful to know the older descriptive notation. Notation also allows us to discuss the geometry of the chessboard.

Chess Equipment : Chess Sets, Boards, and Clocks
Chess can fit any budget. Unless you're a blindfold whiz, a chess set is the bare minimum. Add a clock for serious or blitz games, and a few other accessories for tournament use, and you're ready for any situation.

Elementary endgames
You've reached a position where there are almost no pieces left on the board. Do you know how to notch the win or to escape with a draw?

Positional Play in Chess
When there are no tactics, positional play is the main factor. You have to pay attention to the center, open lines, piece activity, pawn structure, and King safety. Do you know how to tell a good position from a bad one?

Tactical Play in Chess
Tactics, the heart of chess, are based on the way the pieces move. The most common tactical themes -- the fork, the pin, discovered attack, discovered check, and the xray -- are all based on the double attack.

Phases of a Chess Game
Your strategy depends on knowing the phase of the game that you're in. The three basic phases are the opening, the middle game, and the endgame. The correct transition from one phase to another can mean the difference between a win and a draw -- or a draw and a loss.

Relative Value of Chess Pieces
Knowing what is a fair trade of pieces is crucial to conducting a successful chess game. There are major pieces and minor pieces. What does winning the exchange mean? Examples of equal trades.

Chess Draws
Some games have no winner. Here's how to identify perpetual check, triple repetition, insufficient mating material, and the 50 move rule. Many draws are by mutual agreement.

Calculate Your Chess Rating
Calculate Your Chess Rating Step by Step. Step 1 : Note the ratings of your opponents.

How to Check, Checkmate, and Stalemate
The Rules of Chess. How to Check, Checkmate, and Stalemate.

Introduction to the Rules of Chess
The Rules of Chess. Here is a simple description of how to play chess by the rules. 'A moment to learn; a lifetime to master.'

How to Promote a Pawn
The Rules of Chess. How to Promote a Pawn.

How the Chess Knight Moves
The Rules of Chess. How the Chess Knight Moves.

How to Set Up a Chess Board
The Rules of Chess. How to Set Up a Chess Board. What a Properly Set Up Chess Board Looks Like.

How to Castle
The Rules of Chess. How to Castle.

How the Chess Rook Moves
The Rules of Chess. How the Chess Rook Moves.

How Chess Pawns Move
The Rules of Chess. How Chess Pawns Move.

How to Capture En Passant
The Rules of Chess. How to Capture En Passant.

How the Chess King Moves
The Rules of Chess. How the Chess King Moves.

How the Chess Queen Moves
The Rules of Chess. How the Chess Queen Moves.

How the Chess Bishop Moves
The Rules of Chess. How the Chess Bishop Moves.

Chess Openings : Kings Indian Defense - Classical Variation
Chess Opening Tutorial : Kings Indian Defense - Classical Variation (1/10) • The Kings Indian Defense is one of the sharpest ways to meet 1.d4. The Classical Variation is one of the sharpest ways to meet the Kings Indian. After the board is separated into two pieces by ...e5 & d5, White attacks on the Queenside and Black attacks on the Kingside. Piece exchanges are infrequent and combinations arise everywhere.