The King Plays Chess

There is only one King for each chess player. In order to know how to play chess, you need to know what to do with each chess piece. The King piece can move spaces and can capture other pieces. The King can move only one square in any direction. That is forward, backward and sideward, but also diagonal. See this diagram where the X shows the direction the King may move and that he can only move 1 square at a time. Do not forget that the King piece moves only one space, so he will need to protect himself.

How a King piece moves

The King moves very slow and needs time to plan his move way in advance. If he protects himself then he protects his "court" or kingdom, however you choose to look at it.

Capturing is the process of making a move to land on another pieces's spot for the purpose of taking the opponent piece out of the game. It goes without saying that you need to make sure the one you are taking out of the game is not your own piece. Actually you can not do that anyway.

So ... if the King is on a square and another opponent piece lands right next to him, he can capture, or take that opponent piece out of the game.

Just remember that the King can not move to a space right next to an opponent and expect to capture him instantly - of course the other piece has the next move and can capture him. That is unless - the piece is unable to move in the direction of the King.

Gothic Style
King, Queen, Bishop, Knight, Rook, Pawn

That is why you need to learn the moves of the chess pieces, because you can sneak up on an opponent very easily. Once you learn chess and memorize all the ways a chess piece can move, you can plan a really good strategy.

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