Chess is believed to have originated in Eastern India but the game we know today dates back to the 15th century.
The game above is interactive. You can drag the pieces to move them. If a piece lands on a square occupied by another piece, that piece is removed from the board.
There are also a number of mathematical chess puzzles that you can find below.
This is a game for two players. One player controls the black pieces and the other controls the white pieces. Players take it in turns (starting with white) to move one of their pieces. If their piece lands on the same square as an opposing piece is situated the landed on piece is out of the game.
The objective is to have the opposing king in a position that he is under attack (check) and cannot move to another square that is not under attack (checkmate).
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The king can move one square in any direction (vertically, horizontally or vertically). |
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The queen can move any number of squares in any direction (vertically, horizontally and vertically). The queen cannot jump over pieces and if she takes an opponent's piece her move ends. |
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The rook (or castle) can move any number of squares either vertically or horizontally. The rook cannot jump over pieces and if it takes an opponent's piece its move ends. |
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The knight can jump over other pieces. Its move is restricted to two squares vertically or horizontally followed by a move of one square in a perpendicular direction. |
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The bishop can move any number of squares diagonally. The bishop cannot jump over pieces and if it takes an opponent's piece its move ends. |
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The pawn can can move one square (or on its first move two squares) forward apart from if it is taking an opponents piece when it must move one square diagonally. If a pawn makes it across to the opposite side of the board it is promoted to be a queen. |
A king can move two squares over to one side and then the rook from that side's corner move to the king on the opposite side. In order to castle it must be that king and rook's very first move, there cannot be any pieces between the king and rook and the king may not be in check or pass through check.
Arrange as many kings as possible on the chess board so that none of the pieces attack each other.
Try PuzzleArrange as many queens as possible on the chess board so that none of the pieces attack each other.
Try PuzzleArrange as many rooks as possible on the chess board so that none of the pieces attack each other.
Try PuzzleArrange as many knights as possible on the chess board so that none of the pieces attack each other.
Try PuzzleArrange as many bishops as possible on the chess board so that none of the pieces attack each other.
Try PuzzleArrange the minimum number of kings on the chess board so that all free squares of the board are attacked by at least one piece.
Try PuzzleArrange the minimum number of queens on the chess board so that all free squares of the board are attacked by at least one piece.
Try PuzzleArrange the minimum number of rooks on the chess board so that all free squares of the board are attacked by at least one piece.
Try PuzzleArrange the minimum number of knights on the chess board so that all free squares of the board are attacked by at least one piece.
Try PuzzleArrange the minimum number of bishops on the chess board so that all free squares of the board are attacked by at least one piece.
Try PuzzleThe solutions to this and other Transum puzzles, exercises and activities are available here when you are signed in to your Transum subscription account. If you do not yet have an account and you are a teacher, tutor or parent you can apply for one by completing the form on the Sign Up page.
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Transum,
Friday, December 16, 2022
"There is a lot of mathematics in the game of chess. Here are some Numberphile videos to whet your appetite.
"Knight's Tour - Numberphile
How many chess games are possible?
The 8 Queen Problem - Numberphile
Eight Queens (extra footage) - Numberphile
Pebbling a Chessboard - Numberphile
The Trapped Knight - Numberphile
Peaceable Queens - Numberphile