Checkmate: Understanding the different chess pieces' names and their moves

Chess is one of the oldest games people have played for centuries. The game is more strategic than physical, bringing people from all levels of life together. Read on to learn more about chess pieces' names and how they move.

The game is played on a square checked board with different pieces. Every move should be well thought of, as every mistake is punished. Here is more about chess pieces' names and moves with pictures.

Chess pieces' names and moves

The game of chess is tactical, with all the pieces having their names and values. Each piece functions differently and has its name and structure; hence, they must come together to win a game. What are the 16 pieces in chess called?

Each player gets 16 of them: eight pawns, two bishops, two knights, two rooks, one queen, and one king. Here is how each piece in the game functions:

The Pawns

Each side has eight pawns at the beginning of the game. It is usually the lowest-ranked part on the board and is worth only one point. The pawn is also the least powerful and only moves one or two squares forward and diagonally.

The Bishop

Usually, two of them are on each side at the beginning of the game. The bishop is shaped like a bishop's cap. It is worth three points and can move diagonally in any direction and cover as much ground as the player would like.

The Knight

Two knights are on each side, one for the king and the other for the queen. The knight is worth three points, just like the bishop. The knight moves one square horizontally and two squares vertically in either direction. It moves in an L-shape.

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The Rook

There are also two rooks on each side on the far ends, one for the king and the other for the queen. The rook is shaped like a castle. It is considered a major piece and is worth five points.

The rook can move horizontally and vertically in as many squares as the player would like if other pieces do not block it. It moves in a plus-like motion.

The Queen

There is one queen on each side of the board. The queen is considered a significant piece as it is worth nine points. What is the most powerful piece in chess? The queen is considered the most powerful piece in the game.

Why is the queen so powerful in chess? It is powerful as it can move in any direction in as many squares as a player would like. It is a combination of a rook and a bishop.

The King

It is the most important piece of the game. Every side starts with one king. The goal of the game is to attack the king.

It is the most important piece on the board, and the game ends when it is attacked in a move known as the Checkmate. However, it is less powerful than the queen and can only move one square at a time in any direction.

Chinese chess pieces' names

Chinese chess is also known as Xiangqi. It is one of the most popular games in Asia and is believed to have originated in India, just like chess. The pieces in Xiangqi include the King or general, Guard or Advisor, Bishop or Elephant, Knight or Horse, Rook or Chariot, Cannon, and Pawn or Soldier.

The main difference between Xiangqi and Chess is that the former uses intersecting lines as the play front, while the latter uses squares on the board. The game has 16 pieces: one general, two guards, two elephants, two chariots, two horses, two cannons and five soldiers.

How do you remember how chess pieces move?

Practising and playing the game constantly is the best way to remember how the pieces move. However, to win a game, there are some openings one has to know and memorize to win games easier. How do you read chess moves? The best way is mnemonic strategies.

Chess is one of the most exciting mental games to play. It involves a lot of strategies and tactics to capture the king in a move called Checkmate. The game is similar to its Chinese counterpart, although the latter uses intersecting lines rather than squares.

Sports Brief published a list of the youngest chess grandmasters. People of all ages can play chess; some younger players tend to overpower even the older ones. Who is the youngest chess grandmaster? Check out the link above to learn more about the youngest chess grandmasters.