There are 32 pieces altogether, 16 on each side. White goes first then black. You keep going back and forth until 1 color traps the other colors king in a position where the king cannot move anywhere without being captured. Pawns can move 1 space ahead unless it is your first turn. In that case, it can move 2. Pawns can not jump other pieces. Knights are the only pieces that can jump other pieces. They move in the shape of an L. 3 spaces one way and 1 space the another. In the shape of an L. Bishops can only move diagonally any amount of spaces. Rooks can move up, down, left, and right any amount of spaces. A queen can move in any direction any amount of spaces. A king can move in any direction but only 1 space.