The King and Queen occupy the centre squares of the first, or, as it is generally called, the "royal" line, and each is supported by a Bishop, a Knight, and a Rook: while in front, before them, stand the eight foot-soldiers in a row.[1] The pieces on the side of the King are called the King's, as the King's Bishop, King's Knight, King's Rook; and the Pawns before them, the King's Pawn, King's Bishop's Pawn, King's Knight's Pawn, and King's Rook's Pawn. In like manner, the Pieces and Pawns on the Queen's side are called the Queen's.[2]
When perfectly conversant with the titles of the men, and the proper method of arranging them for battle, which, with the assistance of the foregoing diagram, he may become in half an hour's practice, the learner should acquire a knowledge of the moves and powers of the forces, to attain which the aid of some chess-playing acquaintance will be found greatly to facilitate him. He should then proceed to study the "Notation;" that is the method adopted in this country to describe the moves made by two players in their conduct of the game.
The following are the moves of the Pawns and Pieces:—
The Pawn.—The Pawn moves forward in a straight line one square at each move, as from h to f (see diagram), excepting at the first move of each Pawn, when the
- ↑ In disposing the men for play, young players may avoid the very frequent error of misplacing their King and Queen by bearing in mind that the White King always stands on a Black square, and the Black King on a White one.
- ↑ It is not usual in Chess works to describe each piece at length; the following abbreviations are commonly adopted:—
K. . . . . . . . for King.
Q. . . . . . . . „ Queen.
R. . . . . . . . „ Rook.
B. . . . . . . . „ Bishop.
Kt. . . . . . . . „ Knight.
P. . . . . . . . „ Pawn.
