Learn Chess for Kids: The Chess Army

Chess is a fascinating game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It's a game of strategy, tactics, and logic, and it can be a great way to improve your cognitive skills. But for kids, learning chess can be a fun and engaging way to develop their minds and learn about the world around them.

Introducing the Chess Army

The first step to learning chess is understanding the pieces and their movements. Each side has 16 pieces, divided into six types:

Piece	Number	Movement	Value
King	1	One square in any direction	Very high
Queen	1	Any number of squares horizontally, vertically, or diagonally	High
Rook	2	Any number of squares horizontally or vertically	Medium
Bishop	2	Any number of squares diagonally	Medium
Knight	2	An “L” shape: two squares in one direction, then one square perpendicularly	Medium
Pawn	8	One square forward, except for the first move, where it can move two squares forward. Captures diagonally one square forward.	Low

Think of each piece as a member of your “chess army.” Each piece has its own unique abilities and strengths. Learning how to use each piece effectively is crucial to becoming a successful chess player.

The King: The Leader

The king is the most important piece on the board. The goal of the game is to checkmate the opponent's king, which means putting it in a position where it's under attack and cannot escape. The king can move one square in any direction, but it cannot move into a square under attack by an opponent's piece.

The Queen: The Powerful One

The queen is the most powerful piece on the board. It can move any number of squares horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. The queen is a versatile piece that can be used to attack, defend, or control the board.

The Rooks: The Defenders

The rooks are powerful pieces that can move any number of squares horizontally or vertically. They are often used to control open files (columns) and to defend your king.

The Bishops: The Strategists

The bishops are also powerful pieces, but their movement is restricted to diagonals. They are often used to control squares of a particular color and to create attacks.

The Knights: The Leapers

The knights are unique pieces that can jump over other pieces. They are often used to attack pieces that are well-protected or to control squares that are difficult to reach with other pieces.

The Pawns: The Foot Soldiers

The pawns are the weakest pieces on the board, but they are also the most numerous. They can only move one square forward, except for their first move, where they can move two squares forward. Pawns capture diagonally one square forward.

Learning to Play

Once you understand the pieces and their movements, you can start learning how to play the game. There are many resources available to help you learn, including books, websites, and apps. You can also find chess clubs and tournaments in your area.

Learning chess can be a rewarding experience. It's a game that can be enjoyed by people of all ages, and it can help you develop important life skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and strategic planning. So grab a chessboard and start learning today!