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Usborne Quicklinks
Quicklinks for internet-linked books
Click on the links to print out the chess puzzles and to find websites and video clips with more help on playing chess.
Adobe PDF
Online activities and websites to help you learn how each piece moves.
Websites to visit
Meet the chess armies and find out about the battlefield
Note: pawns can move one or two squares forward on their first move, then one square at a time after that.
Watch a quick introduction to the chess pieces
Instead of an army, think of each piece as a different kind of athlete.
Try online challenges to capture all the black enemy pieces
See pages 26-27 of your book for a handy reminder of how each piece moves.
Play a puzzle game - a fun way to learn the knight's L-shaped moves
Can you collect all the jewels? You can only visit each square once! (This activity uses Flash and may not work on all browsers.)
Some videos mention the names of the squares on the board. Click on the links in the topic "Writing down chess moves" to find out more.
Websites to visit
Tips on how to make your first moves in a chess game
Watch a video lesson about how to castle
Castling allows your king to move two squares towards a corner for better protection.
How to put a king in check - and how to escape
A short lesson about pins
NB You do not need to purchase a membership to this site. The video provides a good explanation about pins.
Watch young players show moves to control the centre
More video lessons with tips on how to play chess
NB You do not need to purchase a membership to this site to watch the videos. Click on "Beginner" or type a chess term into the search box on the right. .
Websites to visit
Each square on a chess board has a "name"
To follow a lesson and try a quiz, click on "The Chessboard: Lesson".
Find out how to write down your moves during a chess game
Scroll down for simple quizzes to test your understanding. Ask an adult for help if you get stuck.
Websites to visit
Can you checkmate the enemy king?
Click on "2 Rooks + King v. king" or "Queen + King v. king". See page 33 of your book and follow the "Checklist" to help you decide the best moves to make. Also see pages 34-35 for more about checkmates.
Solve puzzles designed to build your chess skills
Puzzles include checkmates, forks, skewers and pins. (NB This activity uses Flash and may not work on all browsers.)
You're white - can you figure out the next move?
Don't worry if you make a wrong move. If you see "Try Again", click on the right arrow below this message to see the next move or click "Answer!" to watch all the moves.
Websites to visit
Try an online chess game you can play with a friend
To play with a friend click on "Human" for the black player in the drop down menu. To try a different move, click on "Undo" at the top of the board.
See how to set up the black and white armies on a chess board
Learn how to play chess and play against children around the world
You need to sign up (it's free) to access these activities. Children - please ask an adult first.
Children, make sure you follow these three simple rules when using the internet:
For more tips, see Internet safety for children.
Adults - we recommend that children are supervised while on the internet. The content of a website may change at any time and Usborne Publishing is not responsible for content on sites other than its own.
For more on internet safety, see Internet advice for adults.
Websites with interactive content may not work on your tablet or smartphone, but you can view them on a computer. Find out more…
Chess guides
My first chess book
Learn how to command a chess army in this friendly introduction, with entertaining illustrations on how the pieces move, and tons of tips on attacking, defending and winning. A perfect starting point for young children – and a handy refresher for parents and grandparents! With links to specially selected websites with puzzles and more information.
Katie Daynes has written oodles of books for Usborne, from lifting the flaps on germs and poo, through things to spot in the sea and at school, to the life stories of Nelson Mandela and Marie Antoinette. She wrote My First Chess Book after being taught by her son, Joe Birks, who became the British Under 9 Chess Champion in 2017. She now lives in Yorkshire with her architect husband, two inquisitive children and a hamster called Toffee. When she’s not writing books, Katie likes walking on the blustery moors, meeting friends for coffee and playing competitive board games.
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