This article is for someone coming to chess for first time, either as a player, a parent of junior showing interest in this ancient game.

Complete novice or parent looking to introduce their child to chess

What is chess

"Chess is the art which expresses the science of logic" said Chess World Champion, Mikhail Botvinnik.

More specifically, Chess is a two-player strategy board game played on a chessboard, a checkered gameboard with 64 squares arranged in an 8×8 grid.

Each player begins with 16 pieces: one king, one queen, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, and eight pawns. Each of the six piece types moves differently, with the most powerful being the queen and the least powerful the pawn.

The objective is to "checkmate" the opponent's king by placing it under an inescapable threat of capture. To this end, a player's pieces are used to attack and capture the opponent's pieces, while supporting each other. In addition to checkmate, the game can be won by voluntary resignation of the opponent, which typically occurs when too much material is lost or checkmate appears unavoidable. There are also several ways a game can end in a draw.

The game is played by millions of people worldwide.

Why Play chess

Obviously, for the pleasure, to enjoy it.

But what is it about chess that attracts many millions of players worldwide and is second only to the football world cup in number of counties participating in the biannual World Chess Olympiad.

The Benefits of Chess - a dream list for parents

How to play chess

The following articles are a simple introduction to how the pieces move and other basic ideas. The objective is to get the reader started.

How to play chess or, as Gealige, Conas Ficheall a Imirt

and then....

Once you know the moves - a series of articles on joining the ICU, a club and playing in tournaments

All about Junior Chess - a series of articles for juniors and their parents new to playing chess