How to learn Chess?

This article is an extract from the chess website bestofchess.com.... you can read the full article by clicking on the link below. The first step of learning chess is to learn how to set pieces in the chessboard, which is the type of checkerboard used in the board game chess, and consists of 64 squares (eight rows and eight columns) arranged in two alternating colors (light and dark). The colors are called “black” and “white” (or “light” and “dark”).

The first step in preparing to play a game of chess is making sure the board is set correctly:  the square in the lower right-hand corner for each player should be a light square.

Next, put the rooks  in the four corner squares of the board. The rook can move any number of squares along any rank or file, but may not leap over other pieces. Then, place the knights (which usually look like a horse’s head) next to the rooks of the same color. he knight moves to any of the closest squares that are not on the same rank, file, or diagonal, thus the move forms an “L”-shape: two squares vertically and one square horizontally, or two squares horizontally and one square vertically. The knight is the only piece that can leap over other pieces.

The bishops are placed next to the knights of the same color. The bishop can move any number of squares diagonally, but may not leap over other pieces.

The queen should be placed center square of its color. In other words, the white queen is placed on the lighter center square and the black queen should be placed the darker center square: Each queen on a square of its color and should both be on the d-file. The queen can move any number of squares along rank,file, or diagonal, it combines the power of the rook and bishop, but it may not leap over other pieces as the knight can do.

The king typically has a cross on its head. Each king should be placed next to the queen of the same color, It should be on the e-file. The king moves one square in any direction. The king has also a special move which is called castling and involves also moving a rook.

The pawns are the shortest and most numerous pieces in a chess set. Each player should have eight pawns. These pawns should go in each square in the row in front of the other pieces of the same color. The white pawns should be on the second rank, and the black pawns should be on the seventh rank. The pawn may move forward to the unoccupied square immediately in front of it on the same file, or on its first move it may advance two squares along the same file provided both squares are unoccupied; or the pawn may capture an opponent’s piece on a square diagonally in front of it on an adjacent file, by moving to that square. The pawn has two special moves: the en passant capture and pawn promotion.

Once you have learned the chess rules, your skills will improve as you don’t give up playing. Practicing tactic exercices, watching video lessons and computer workouts are very advised by the coaches.