How chess pieces move

Piece movement is the first practical skill after seeing the board. Each piece has its own power and limits, and that difference creates tactics and strategy.

The rook travels files and ranks and grows in the endgame. Bishops own diagonals. The queen is strongest but should not become a tactical target early.

The king moves one square and his safety is the point of the game. The knight jumps and forks in closed positions. Pawns move slowly, capture diagonally, and promote on the last rank.

GChess has a separate interactive drill for each piece plus capturing, defending, and castling — the same first lessons a live class would cover.