Short drills for your first games. What to do when a piece is attacked, and how to spot a piece left hanging. The three ways out of check. And how to give a check without losing the checking piece. This is a basics course with 3 lessons and 9 interactive exercises, suited to players rated around 320 (complete beginners). Every exercise is played on a real board with feedback after each move, there is nothing to install, and it is free.
Lessons in Safe pieces: protect, escape and check
When a piece is attacked – Most early games are lost by leaving a piece where it can be taken for free. Learn the three answers to an attack.
Three ways out of check – When your king is in check, you must get out at once. There are only three ways, and choosing well can save a piece.
Giving a safe check – A check feels strong, but a check that loses the checking piece is just a gift. Check only when it is safe.
Next steps
Check, checkmate and stalemate – What check means, the three ways out of it, how a game is won by checkmate, and the stalemate trap that turns a win into a draw.
Castling, promotion and en passant – The three special moves every player must know: castling to keep your king safe, promoting a pawn into a new queen, and the en passant pawn capture.
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