Introduce your child to the wonderful world of chess with our "Understanding Chess Rules" worksheets designed for ages 6-9. These engaging, printable worksheets make learning the basics of chess fun and accessible, helping kids grasp essential rules while enhancing their strategic thinking, problem-solving, and cognitive skills. Each worksheet covers key areas, including piece movement, importance of check and checkmate, and even setting up the board, providing young learners with a solid foundation to enjoy this timeless game. Ideal for both beginners and those looking to refine their knowledge, our worksheets are perfect for classroom use or home practice.


Check out this FREE "Understanding chess rules" Trial Lesson for age 6-9!

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  • 6-9
  • 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 for ages 6-9 is beneficial for various developmental reasons. First, chess improves cognitive abilities such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and memory. Young children learning chess grasp the necessity to plan several steps ahead to successfully outmaneuver an opponent, thus enhancing strategic thinking.

Second, chess teaches patience and concentration. Since a chess game requires thoughtful analysis and sustained attention, children can gradually build patience and focus, qualities valuable for academic pursuits and daily life. Additionally, the game fosters creativity as players envision diverse scenarios and outcomes before making a move.

Chess also cultivates emotional skills. Winning builds confidence, while losing teaches children resilience and the importance of learning from mistakes—key factors in developing a healthy attitude towards challenges.

Moreover, chess enhances social skills through interaction. Children may play with peers or adults, learning sportsmanship, turn-taking, and respectful communication. It pulls kids away from screens, offering a balanced alternative.

For teachers, incorporating chess in curricula can enrich learning experiences and cater to a variety of learning styles. For parents, understanding these rules facilitates quality bonding time and supports their child's intellectual growth. By caring about chess at this formative age, adults provide kids with tools vital for both academic success and personal development.