Classic chess
Classic chess is the standard game on an 8x8 board: play the computer, a friend on the same device or a real opponent online, or watch live games. Free.
Falls under: Strategy — this game trains strategic planning.
How to play Classic chess
- Choose a mode: against the computer, two players on one device, or online multiplayer.
- Move one piece per turn to a legal square; each type of piece has its own way of moving.
- Keep your own king safe and look for checks, captures and threats on every move.
- Win by checkmate, when the enemy king is attacked and has no way to escape.
About Classic chess
Classic chess is the full standard game, with nothing changed. Each side begins with sixteen pieces, and the aim is checkmate: attack the enemy king so that it has no safe square left. You choose how to play. Take on the computer when you want practice at your own pace, pass the device back and forth with a friend sitting next to you, or look for a real opponent in online multiplayer. There is also a spectator option for following other people's games, where you can show your own idea for the next move on the board. Because the rules are the standard ones, everything you learn here carries over to over-the-board play, chess puzzles and the chess variants on this site.
Classic chess FAQ
Can I play Classic chess against the computer?
Yes. You can play the computer, play a friend on the same device, or play an opponent online.
How does each chess piece move?
The king moves one square in any direction. The rook moves in straight lines along rows and columns, the bishop along diagonals, and the queen in both. The knight jumps in an L shape: two squares one way and one to the side. Pawns move forward one square (two on their first move) and capture diagonally.
What is checkmate?
Checkmate is when a king is under attack and no move can get it out of danger. It ends the game, and the player who delivers it wins.
