The Hidden Parts of Chess

So far, we have only discussed the basics of chess. Essentially, rules that any player should know when they want to start playing the game. However, there are a few principles and rules that players may need to start getting acclimated to as they begin to play the game more competitively. Now, these things will not necessarily be very essential for casual play, but can boost ones playing when they go against weaker opponents. Additionally, if a player is thinking of playing in real chess tournaments, or something of the like, they may need to know these rules so that they can get the best advantage possible over other players and so that they avoid breaking any rules.

To Draw or Not to Draw

Sometimes, the best strategy in a game is not to go for the win or accept a loss, but rather to put oneself in a position where the game can be tied. Now, what might a tie in chess actually look like? Well a tie can actually occur in a few ways. First, we have the “draw agreement.” Just like it sounds, this is a case in which one player offers a draw and their opponent accepts it. In this case, neither player wins nor loses.

Second, there could just be a classic “stalemate.” This occurs when one player in unable to move any of their pieces on their turn including their King. The player is not in check or checkmate, but cannot continue the game. In this scenario, the game has ended and is a draw. Here is an example of what a stalemate might look like.

Notice in the example above, blacks pieces prohibit white King from moving anywhere on the board. White’s King cannot put itself in check and its pawns are blocked off by black’s pawns. This game has reached stalemate.

The third kind of draw is when both players manage to exchange all of their pieces from the board by the end of the game. At this point there are only Kings left on the board, and because they are not allowed to put themselves in direct attack, they cannot attack the opposing King. In this case, the game has reached an end and will be called a draw.

Finally, a player can draw by a way of 3-fold repetition. Forcing a 3-fold repetition can be quite the challenging task, but is a very valuable skill to learn. Just like it sounds, this happens when players repeat the same moves 3 times in a row on 3 consecutive turns. Because no one wants the game to just go on forever in the same manner, their play will be stopped at that point and deemed a draw.

En Passant

This rule can be very shocking to players when they first see it. We’ve previously learned that pawns can only attack other pawns that are on adjacent, diagonal squares. However, there is one special way in which pawns can also be attacked: En Passant. This move allows players to capture pawns that are directly to the side of them. Let’s look at a picture to get a clearer idea of what this move looks like.

White captures the pawn that is directly beside it with an En Passant. However, there’s one thing to remember about this move. It can only be done when your opponent first moves their pawn from its original square. If a pawn has already been moved more than once, it cannot be captured through En Passant. In the picture, White is able to capture because black had only moved that pawn once. This move can be very useful especially when one is seeking to open up the board through a pawn capture. Watch out for instances in which your opponent might use this tactic, and find moments in which you might be able to use it as well.

Touch Play Rule

Lastly, this rule has to do with any sort of tournament play. If you, or any other player only plans to play games online, this rule may not necessarily apply. However, if someone wants to play in live tournaments, they will need to know and understand the Touch Play Rule. Similar to all the other rules, this one sounds just like it is. When a player intentionally touches a chess piece, they must move it (if it is their turn and that piece has at least one legal move). So, if you decide to play more games in real life, make sure to think first before you decide to move a piece. As soon as your hand touches a piece, you must move forward with it and hope the wrong decision was not made.

These rules are not necessarily essential for every chess player, but they will make players more aware and even more skilled. As you grow in your chess skills, keep these rules in mind, and implement them to make your chess game to make you a stronger player.