Why and How to Learn to Play Chess

Learning chess means opening a door to a world of strategy, creativity and intellectual growth. Whether you’re 7 or 77, it’s never too late to start.

Table of contents

Why learn to play chess?

Chess is far more than a board game. Scientific studies have demonstrated its benefits. Here are the reasons to start chess now for cognitive abilities, concentration and even stress management. Here are the main reasons to take it up:

Cognitive development

Chess stimulates memory, concentration, logic and planning skills. The whole brain is engaged with every game.

Emotional management

Learning to lose, handling time pressure, staying calm under adversity: chess is a school of self-control.

Social connection

In a club, online or with family, chess creates bonds. It’s a universal language that transcends age and culture. To broaden your strategic horizons, also try shogi, the Japanese chess game with its unique rules.

Accessible to all

No physical fitness or costly equipment required. A chess board, an opponent, and you’re off for hours of enjoyment.

First steps: how to begin

Step 1: master the basic rules

Start by learning how each piece moves, the special rules (castling, en passant, promotion) and the conditions for checkmate and stalemate. Our guide how to set up a chess board correctly will help you lay the right foundations — because yes, the starting position of the pieces is the first thing to master!

♟ A handy memory aid for set-up: the queen always goes on her own colour (white queen on a white square, black queen on a black square). The h1 square (bottom right) is always white.

Step 2: understand strategic principles

Once you’ve learnt the rules, move on to the key principles that guide every game. Our article strategy for beginners covers the fundamentals:

The 4 opening principles: 1) Control the centre (squares e4, d4, e5, d5). 2) Develop your minor pieces (knights and bishops). 3) Castle early to protect your king. 4) Don’t move the same piece twice in the opening.

Step 3: practise regularly

As with any learning process, consistency is key. Play at least a few games a week, analyse your mistakes and study simple tactical positions (forks, pins, skewers). Tactical puzzles are an excellent way to progress quickly.

Learning resources

Resource	Type	Ideal for
Chess.com / Lichess	Website and app	Online games, puzzles, interactive lessons
Video courses	Structured lessons	Progressive learning with a coach
Local chess club	In-person practice	Improving alongside players of all levels
Beginner’s books	Reading	Understanding strategy in depth

Our digital courses offer lessons suited to every level, from complete beginners to club players looking to take the next step.

Choosing your first chess set

To get off to a good start, a quality chess set makes all the difference. The pieces should be easy to identify, stable and pleasant to handle. Avoid sets that are too small, which strain the eyes, and sets with novelty pieces that make learning harder.

Our discovery sets are specially designed for beginners: classic Staunton pieces, a comfortable size, quality wood and an accessible price. The ideal companion for your first games.

Chess is life in miniature. Every move is a decision, every game a lesson.

— Garry Kasparov