Chess for beginners: first moves and basic opening principles

Playing chess online is easiest to start with a few simple opening rules. They do not require memorising long lines, yet they make your play more confident right away. You can play a game for free on our site, against the computer or against a live opponent at a table.

The first principle: take the center. Pawns on e4 and d4 (or e5 and d5 for Black) give your pieces room and limit your opponent. Avoid pushing pawns on the edge of the board again and again at the start.

The second principle: develop your pieces. Bring knights and bishops to active squares as early as you can. Knights usually go to f3 and c3, and bishops look at the center along open diagonals. Try not to move the same piece twice until the others are out.

The third principle: castle. A king in the center is vulnerable, while after castling it hides behind its pawns and the rook joins the game at once. Most players castle within the first ten moves.

The fourth principle: do not rush the queen. Taking the queen out early lets your opponent develop pieces with threats against it, and you lose time. The queen is strongest when the rest of your pieces are already in play.

One last thing: before each move, check what your opponent's last move does. Which piece is attacked, and did you leave anything undefended? This simple habit saves more games than any theory. Play chess for free and practise in every game.