Pocket Chess
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Discover Pocket Chess, the travel-sized chess game. Learn its history, rules, piece movements, special moves, and practical tips for beginners to play anywhere.
Pocket Chess: History and Background
Pocket Chess, also known as Mini-Chess, is a compact version of the classic chess game designed for travel or as a toy.
Digital Pocket Chess games have existed since the 1980s, starting with the Boris chess computer and later the Kasparov Pocket Chess by SciSys around 1986.
Pocket Chess is ideal for beginners, casual players, or anyone who wants to enjoy chess on the go.
How to Play Pocket Chess
Pocket Chess is easy to learn and can be played against a built-in AI opponent, Albert, or with a friend.
Setting Up the Board
- Chess is played by two players sitting opposite each other.
- Place the board so that a white square is at the bottom-right corner.
- Fill your second row (rank) with pawns.
- From left to right on your first row: rook – knight – bishop – queen – king – bishop – knight – rook.
- Black pieces mirror the white pieces so that kings and queens face each other.
Moving the Pieces
Each chess piece moves in a unique way, and your main goal is to checkmate the opponent’s king. Here’s how each piece moves:
- King: Can move one square in any direction.
- Queen: Can move any number of squares in any direction—horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
- Bishop: Moves diagonally across the board, for as many squares as you like.
- Knight: Moves in an “L” shape: two squares in one direction and then one square perpendicular. Knights are the only pieces that can jump over other pieces.
- Rook: Moves horizontally or vertically for any number of squares.
- Pawn: Moves one square forward, except on its first move when it can move one or two squares.
Capturing Pieces
- Move a piece to a square occupied by an opponent’s piece to capture and remove it.
- Pawns cannot capture straight ahead; they capture diagonally forward only when taking an opponent’s piece.
Special Moves
- Move your king two squares toward the rook, then move the rook to the other side of the king.
- Requirements: The king and rook must be making their first move, no pieces can be between them, and the king must not be in check or pass through a threatened square.
- When a pawn moves two squares on its first move, an opponent pawn can capture it as if it moved only one square.
- This move must be made immediately on your next turn.
- When a pawn reaches the last rank, it can be promoted to any piece (queen, rook, bishop, knight).
Ending the Game
- White moves first; players alternate turns.
- Check: When a king can be captured next turn, it is in check. The player must move the king, block, or capture the threatening piece.
- Checkmate: When a king cannot escape capture, the game ends. A king cannot move into check, and no legal moves mean game over.
Practical Tips for Beginners
- Control the center squares (e4, d4, e5, d5) to maximize mobility and restrict the opponent.
- Develop each piece once before moving a piece twice in the opening.
- Develop your knights and bishops at the beginning of the game.
- Castle your king early to keep it safe.
- Avoid attacking too soon; develop your pieces first.
- Avoid pawn weaknesses: isolated, doubled, or backward pawns.
- If ahead in material, consider simplifying the game by exchanging or sacrificing pieces.
- Learn basic checkmate patterns:
- King and queen vs. king
- King and rook vs. king