Free Chess Course for Beginners

Module 1 · Learn

Meet the board and every piece

A chessboard has 64 squares arranged in eight files (a–h) and eight ranks (1–8). Each side starts with one king, one queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights, and eight pawns.

Piece values are estimates: pawn ≈ 1, knight ≈ 3, bishop ≈ 3, rook ≈ 5, queen ≈ 9. The king is priceless because losing it by checkmate ends the game.

Values help beginners compare trades, but position, safety, activity, and tactics can matter more than a simple number.

Which piece is commonly valued around 5 points?PawnKnightRookQueen

Required checks must be passed before continuing.

Module 2 · Understand

Check, checkmate, and stalemate

Your king is in check when an opponent attacks it. You must respond by moving the king, blocking the attack, or capturing the attacking piece when legal. Checkmate means the king is attacked and no legal move can escape. Stalemate means the player to move has no legal move but is not in check, so the game is a draw.

What is stalemate?The king is checkmatedNo legal move exists and the king is not in checkBoth queens are tradedA player forgets to move

Required checks must be passed before continuing.

Module 3 · Solve

Look for forcing moves first

Tactics are short sequences that win material or create a decisive threat. Common patterns include forks, pins, skewers, discovered attacks, and removing a defender.

Search habit: before choosing a move, look for checks, captures, and direct threats. Then ask what your opponent can do in response.

A knight attacks the king and queen at the same time. What tactic is that?ForkPinCastleStalemate

Required checks must be passed before continuing.

Module 4 · Plan

Start the game with purpose

Beginner openings are easier when you focus on principles instead of memorizing long move sequences: influence the center, develop knights and bishops, protect the king, avoid moving the same piece repeatedly without a reason, and connect your rooks.

Which is usually a healthy opening goal?Move the queen five times immediatelyDevelop pieces and protect the kingPush every pawnIgnore the center

Required checks must be passed before continuing.

Module 5 · Build

Use your king and count carefully

In endgames, the king becomes an active piece. Passed pawns can become extremely important because reaching the far rank allows promotion. Basic king-and-pawn endings teach opposition, counting moves, and controlling key squares.

Why can the king become more active in an endgame?There are usually fewer pieces creating immediate mating threatsKings can move like queensCheck no longer mattersPawns disappear automatically

Required checks must be passed before continuing.

Module 6 · Share

Play the Summit beginner bot

This practical challenge uses a legal chess engine in the browser. You play White. The Summit Bot intentionally chooses from a wider set of reasonable moves rather than always selecting the strongest move, so a prepared beginner has a realistic chance to win.

Before you play

Develop pieces before launching an attack.
Check whether your king is safe.
Look for checks, captures, and threats every move.
If the bot cannot be completed, use the alternate assessment below and explain at least five important decisions from a practice game.

Loading chess board…

What should you usually check before committing to a move?Only whether it looks excitingChecks, captures, threats, king safety, and the opponent’s replyWhether the piece is your favoriteHow quickly you can move

Game reflection or alternate assessment

Required checks must be passed before continuing.

Course milestone reached

You completed the guided course.

Your final project or practical assessment is the last step before certificate eligibility. Signed-in certificate issuance should be verified against the full completion requirements.

Summit Seekers Academy

Certificate of Completion

Awarded to Student Name

for completing Chess Foundations

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Chess Foundations

Meet the board and every piece

Check, checkmate, and stalemate

Look for forcing moves first

Start the game with purpose

Use your king and count carefully

Play the Summit beginner bot

Before you play

You completed the guided course.

Certificate of Completion

Chess movement guide