Many players focus only on openings—but chess is often won in the endgame. If you’ve ever had a winning position and still lost… it’s time to sharpen your endgame skills! 💪
At Bellary Chess, we help you master the Endgame Essentials every player must know:
✅ King & Pawn vs. King – Know when it’s a win or draw
✅ Rook Endgames – One of the most common and tricky endings
✅ Opposition and Zugzwang – Learn how to use them to your advantage
✅ Basic Mates – King + Queen, King + Rook, King + 2 Bishops
🎓 Perfect for:
Beginners who want to build confidence
Intermediate players ready to dominate in the final phase
Tournament players aiming for precise technique
🎥 Watch This Excellent Beginner-Friendly Video:
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– “Endgame Basics – How to Win a Chess Endgame”
💬 Remember: In the endgame, your king becomes a fighting piece. Don’t hide it!
📘 Want our free Endgame Practice Sheet or in-person coaching? Message us to join Bellary Chess today!
Do your games fall apart in the first 10 moves? 😟
Learning how to open strong is one of the fastest ways to improve your performance on the board!
At Bellary Chess, we’re introducing you to Opening Preparation—a step-by-step guide to mastering the most effective and popular chess openings for white and black.
🧠 Why Opening Preparation Matters:
✅ Develop your pieces quickly
✅ Control the center of the board
✅ Keep your king safe (castle early!)
✅ Avoid traps and weak positions
🎓 Perfect for Beginners & Intermediates
Learn:
Italian Game – for smooth development
Queen’s Gambit – control with pawns
Sicilian Defense – a sharp response as black
London System – solid, easy-to-learn setup
📺 Watch this Beginner Video to Start Learning:
💡 Pro Tip: Don’t memorize—understand the ideas behind each move. Focus on development, center control, and king safety!
Welcome to the world of chess! Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refresh your knowledge, this guide will help you understand the fundamentals of the game.
Objective of the Game
The goal in chess is to checkmate your opponent’s king. This means putting the king in a position where it is under attack and cannot escape capture.
Chessboard Layout
The board has 64 squares: 8 rows (called ranks) and 8 columns (called files).
Squares alternate in color—light and dark.
The bottom-right square should be a light square.
Each player starts with 16 pieces:
1 King
1 Queen
2 Rooks
2 Bishops
2 Knights
8 Pawns
How the Pieces Move
Piece
Movement
King
1 square in any direction.
Queen
Any number of squares in any direction (horizontally, vertically, diagonally).
Rook
Any number of squares straight (horizontal or vertical).
Bishop
Any number of squares diagonally.
Knight
Moves in an “L” shape: 2 squares in one direction, then 1 square perpendicular. It can jump over pieces.
Pawn
Moves forward 1 square, or 2 squares from starting position. Captures diagonally.
Special Rules
Castling: A move involving the king and a rook. It helps protect the king and bring the rook into play. Conditions:
No pieces between king and rook
Neither has moved before
King is not in, moving through, or into check
En Passant: A special pawn capture if an opponent’s pawn moves two squares forward from its starting square and lands next to your pawn.
Promotion: When a pawn reaches the opposite end of the board, it must be promoted to a queen, rook, bishop, or knight.
Check and Checkmate
Check: Your king is under attack. You must respond by moving the king, capturing the threatening piece, or blocking the check.
Checkmate: The king is in check and has no legal way to escape. Game over!
Stalemate: A draw where the player to move is not in check but has no legal moves.
Tips for Beginners
Control the center of the board (e.g., d4, e4, d5, e5)
Develop knights and bishops early.
Don’t move the same piece multiple times in the opening.
Castle early for king safety.
Don’t bring out the queen too early.
Watch out for threats and think 1–2 moves ahead.
Start Practicing!
Play with friends, join our practice sessions at Bellary Chess, or use free online tools like:
