Chess for complete beginners
Learn chess in 10 minutes
Six short lessons that start at the board itself and finish with a real game played out move by move. No prior knowledge, no account, no chess set.
Start lesson 1
What you will learn
- What is chess?The board, the pieces, and the goal of the game.1 min
- The pieces, and how they moveAll six pieces and exactly how each one moves.2 min
- CapturingHow you take your opponent's pieces off the board.2 min
- Check and checkmateWhen the king is under attack, and how the game is won.1 min
- See it in actionStep through three example games move by move.2 min
- Special movesCastling, promotion and en passant: three moves with their own rules.2 min
Common questions
Do I need to know anything about chess already?
No. The first lesson is called "What is chess?" and starts from the board itself. Nothing in the course assumes you have played before or know any notation.
Is it free?
Yes. Every lesson is free, with no account, no sign-up and no email required.
Do I need a chess set?
No. Every board in every lesson is on the page, and most of them play themselves so you can watch a piece move rather than read about it. Your browser is the set.
How long does the whole thing take?
About 10 minutes in one sitting. Each lesson stands on its own, so you can stop after any of them and come back to the next one later.
What should I do after the last lesson?
Start solving puzzles. Free Chess Puzzles serves positions from real games at any level from beginner up, with hints and a full solution whenever you want one.