How to play

• White moves first; click a piece to see where it may go.
• Castling: move the king two squares towards a rook that has not moved.
• En passant: a pawn that has just passed yours by two squares can be taken as if it moved one.
• A pawn reaching the last rank is promoted — you choose the piece.
• Checkmate wins; stalemate, repetition and fifty quiet moves are draws.

Tips

• Develop knights and bishops before moving the same piece twice.
• Castle early: a king in the centre is the most common cause of a short game.
• Count defenders before capturing — the computer is happy to trade into a better position.
• In the endgame push your king forward; it is a strong piece once the queens are gone.