Chess is more than just a game—it’s a fun and exciting way to improve your focus, logic, patience, and strategy. At Kiya Learning, we believe that every child can become a smart thinker through chess. Whether you’re new to the board or just starting your chess classes with us, the first thing you need to learn is how the chess pieces move.
In this blog, we will help young chess enthusiasts in Singapore understand how each piece moves and how to play like a pro!
🎯 Why Learn Chess at a Young Age?
Before we dive into the moves, here’s why many parents in Singapore enrol their kids in chess classes:
· 🧠 Improves concentration and memory
· 📚 Boosts academic skills (especially Maths and Problem-solving)
· 🕰️ Teaches patience, planning, and time management
· 🎯 Enhances logical and critical thinking
· 🤝 Encourages sportsmanship and decision-making
Now let’s get to the basics—understanding each piece and how it moves.
♟️ The Chessboard – Know Your Battlefield
The chessboard has 64 squares (8 rows and 8 columns) with alternating light and dark squares. Each player starts with 16 pieces:
· 1 King
· 1 Queen
· 2 Rooks
· 2 Bishops
· 2 Knights
· 8 Pawns
The pieces are set up in a specific way, and white always moves first.
👑 The King – The Most Important Piece
· How it moves: One square in any direction—up, down, sideways, or diagonally.
· Goal: Protect your king at all costs. If the king is under threat and cannot escape, that’s checkmate, and the game ends.
🛡️ The king is slow but valuable. You must learn to protect and use it wisely.
👸 The Queen – The Most Powerful Piece
· How it moves: Any number of squares in any direction—horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
· Strategy: Use the queen for attacking and controlling the board, but don’t bring it out too early!
💡 Tip: Beginners love the queen—but remember, it’s strong only when used smartly.
🏰 The Rook – The Castle
· How it moves: Any number of squares vertically or horizontally, but not diagonally.
· Special Move: The rook can team up with the king for a move called castling—great for protecting the king and developing your rook.
🧱 Rooks are powerful in the endgame, so bring them out when the board opens up.
🐴 The Knight – The Horse
· How it moves: In an L-shape – two squares in one direction, then one square sideways (like 2 up and 1 right).
· Special Power: It can jump over other pieces, which no other piece can do.
🐎 Knights are tricky and great for surprises. Use them to control the center early in the game.
⛪ The Bishop – The Diagonal Mover
· How it moves: Any number of squares diagonally.
· Each player has a light-square and a dark-square bishop.
🔍 Use your bishops to control long diagonals and attack from a distance.
🧱 The Pawn – Small but Mighty
· How it moves: Moves forward one square, but captures diagonally. On its first move, a pawn can move forward two squares.
· Promotion: If a pawn reaches the opposite side, it can be promoted to any piece (usually a queen).
♟️ Pawns seem weak, but eight of them can form a strong wall or become powerful pieces through promotion.
⭐ Special Moves in Chess
1. Castling – A move involving the king and rook to protect the king and activate the rook.
o Conditions: Neither piece has moved before, no pieces between them, and the king is not in check.
2. En Passant – A special pawn capture when an opposing pawn moves two squares forward.
3. Promotion – A pawn reaching the 8th rank can become a queen, rook, knight, or bishop.
🧠 Tips for Beginner Players
· Always control the center (d4, e4, d5, e5 squares).
· Don’t bring your queen out too early.
· Develop all your pieces (especially knights and bishops) before attacking.
· Always think before you move—what could your opponent do next?
🧑🏫 Learn Chess the Fun Way with Kiya Learning
At Kiya Learning Singapore, we offer online chess classes for beginners and advanced players aged 5–15 years. Our expert coaches make learning fun with:
✅ Easy-to-understand lessons
✅ Interactive chess puzzles and games
✅ One-on-one or small group coaching
✅ Regular tournaments and parent feedback
🎉 Whether your child is just learning how the pieces move or preparing for tournaments, our personalised approach ensures every student grows confidently.
🚀 Ready to Start Your Chess Journey?
Let your child explore strategy, logic, and confidence through chess!
📞 Book a free
trial class today with Kiya Learning!
CONTACT US -
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/kiyalearning/
Website URL - https://kiyalearning.com/
Business Email - contact@kiyalearning.com
Whataap Link - https://api.whatsapp.com/send/?phone=919717294447&text&type=phone_number&app_absent=0
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