Basic Elements of Chess

• Opening – A series of moves that are designed to take the center and, therefore provide the player with a plan in the middle game.
• Checkmate – The move that ends the game and the player's ultimate goal, it puts their opponent into checkmate; they have trapped the King and there is no escape.
• Castling – An important move that uses the King and a Rook, that can help both defence and positioning.
• Pawn Promotion – Move a pawn all the way to the last rank, and promote it, usually to a Queen; this can provide a huge advantage.
• Endgame – The final parts of chess when very few pieces remain on the board. Players will need to be accurate and think ahead and carefully, in order to win the game, or force a draw.