Our "Understanding Chess Rules" worksheets are designed to introduce young children aged 4-7 to the exciting world of chess. These engaging and colorful worksheets make learning the basic rules and movements of each chess piece fun and accessible. By following simplified instructions and interactive activities, children can develop their critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and strategic planning abilities. Whether they're just beginning their chess journey or looking to improve their skills, these worksheets offer a great foundation. Perfect for parents, teachers, and young learners looking to spark an early interest in the timeless game of chess!


Check out this FREE "Understanding chess rules" Trial Lesson for age 4-7!

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  • 4-7
  • Understanding chess rules
How Rooks Capture Worksheet
How Rooks Capture Worksheet

How Rooks Capture Worksheet

Chess is a game that requires skill, concentration and planning. Players must move their chess pieces strategically to capture pieces from their opponent. Do your kids know how to use the rook to capture pieces? Go through the worksheet with them and circle the pieces the rook can capture.
How Rooks Capture Worksheet
Worksheet
How King Moves Worksheet
How King Moves Worksheet

How King Moves Worksheet

Teach your kids the fundamentals of chess with this worksheet! The goal is to checkmate the opponent's king, so it must be protected at all times. The king moves along files, ranks, and diagonals (except one square at a time), and cannot move to a square next to the enemy king. Your kids will soon master the art of checkmate!
How King Moves Worksheet
Worksheet
How Rooks Move Worksheet
How Rooks Move Worksheet

How Rooks Move Worksheet

Help your kids master chess with this worksheet! Explain how rook pieces move along ranks and files, and have them mark the squares it can move to. Note that it can't jump over other pieces. With your guidance, they'll soon understand the game they love.
How Rooks Move Worksheet
Worksheet
How Queen Captures Worksheet
How Queen Captures Worksheet

How Queen Captures Worksheet

Chess is a great game for sharpening math skills, strategic thinking, and knowledge of how each piece moves. If your child is interested, introduce them with this worksheet. It demonstrates how the queen can capture opposing pieces, such as another queen, and take their place.
How Queen Captures Worksheet
Worksheet
Check. Checkmate or Stalemate? Worksheet
Check. Checkmate or Stalemate? Worksheet

Check. Checkmate or Stalemate? Worksheet

Chess teaches critical thinking, reasoning, and logic skills in a fun way. With this downloadable worksheet, kids can look at chess boards and decide if the sides are in check, checkmate, or stalemate. Win or lose, a stalemate can be a great outcome, and kids can learn and build skills with each move!
Check. Checkmate or Stalemate? Worksheet
Worksheet
Castling No–no's: Part 1 Worksheet
Castling No–no's: Part 1 Worksheet

Castling No–no's: Part 1 Worksheet

Help your child learn how to play chess by using this worksheet. Ask them to circle the king and rook that can castle in the picture. Explain that a king cannot castle if the king or rook has moved, or if there is any other piece between them. Knowing these rules will make playing a lot easier!
Castling No–no's: Part 1 Worksheet
Worksheet
How Pawns Capture Worksheet
How Pawns Capture Worksheet

How Pawns Capture Worksheet

Ask your child to circle all the places a pawn can capture in one move on the diagonal. Pawns are limited in the moves they can make, but can still capture enemy pieces. This worksheet will help brush up on their knowledge of the rules of chess.
How Pawns Capture Worksheet
Worksheet


Understanding chess rules is crucial for children aged 4-7 for several compelling reasons. Firstly, playing chess helps develop cognitive skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and memory. For young minds, these benefits translate into better academic performance and an enhanced ability to tackle complex tasks effectively.

Secondly, chess teaches important life skills, including patience, perseverance, and strategic planning. As children learn the rules and work to improve their gameplay, they also learn to stay focused, handle frustration, and achieve long-term goals.

Moreover, chess fosters social skills and emotional intelligence. Playing with others requires communication, turn-taking, and graceful winning or losing. These interactions improve peer relationships and help children understand the value of sportsmanship and empathy.

It also boosts creativity and imagination, as each game is different and opens up countless possibilities for creative problem-solving. This flexibility in thinking can benefit children's performance in various activities and subjects, from mathematics to the arts.

Lastly, engaging in chess provides a constructive, screen-free pastime that promotes mental development in a fun and engaging way. By teaching them chess, parents and teachers are equipping children with valuable skills that will serve them well throughout their lives.