In this lesson we'll introduce you to some of our school rules.
Sometimes we'll give you permission to break some of these rules.
But kids who break our school rules without permission get beaten, as you will see.
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All schools have rules, and chessKIDS academy is no exception. In this lesson we'll introduce you to some of our school rules. Sometimes we'll give you permission to break some of these rules. But kids who break our school rules without permission get beaten, as you will see.
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The first school rule is this: AT THE START OF THE GAME, DON'T TOUCH YOUR KING-SIDE (f, g and h) PAWNS UNLESS YOU HAVE A VERY GOOD REASON. Watch what happened to the last kid who broke this rule.
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White started with f2-f3. Well, it looked as good as anything else on the board. Which move would you recommend for Black?  e7-e5
 f7-f5 g7-g5
 h7-h5 
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Yes, Black played e7-e5 and White's second move was g2-g4. How did Black win the game at once? Qd8-e7
Qd8-f6 Qd8-g5
Qd8-h4+
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Yes, it's CHECKMATE!! This is the quickest way to get mated - in two moves! It's called FOOL'S MATE. Only a fool would play the opening like that. You wouldn't play those moves, would you?
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Yes, moving those pawns at the start of the game was a very FOOLish thing to do. There are TWO reasons why you shouldn't touch those pawns. First, because you weaken your King's defenses along the DIAGONAL. Second, because you should CASTLE on the King-side quickly (that's another school rule) and leave those Pawns unmoved to DEFEND your King.
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In that game, White also broke our second school rule, which is this. ALWAYS START THE GAME BY STICKING A PAWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BOARD. We recommend you start all your games with 1. e2-e4 e7-e5 Yes, there are other good ways to start but these are the best moves for little kids like you. When you're a big kid and go to University, then you can learn about other moves.
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Which of these moves would you play if you were Black? d7-d6
e7-e6 e7-e5
h7-h5
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Good move! Now White decides to go for Scholar's Mate himself. But if he plays Bf1-c4, Black will just stick ANOTHER pawn in the center - d7-d5 - and chase the Bishop away. If you stick a Pawn in the middle it's much easier to get your pieces to good squares. Chess is like soccer: contol of the midfield is important. If you get the chance to stick TWO Pawns in the middle safely you should do so.
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So White brings his Queen out instead. I've already given you a big clue for Black's next move. Is it... Qd8-g5
d7-d5 f7-f5
Qd8-h4
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Now White brings out a Knight and THREATENS the Pawn on d5, which is now ATTACKED twice and DEFENDED only once. What should Black do about it? Bc8-g4
Nb8-c6 Bf8-b4
e5-e4
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Black threatens the queen and White thinks he's found a safe square.
But now Black has a really special move, that THREATENS and TRAPS the Queen. Can you find it? Bf8-d6
Qd8-g5 Qd8-f6
g7-g5
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A sensational move! Just take a look at White's Queen! Does she have a safe square? If you look carefully at the position you'll find that whatever White does his Queen will be captured next move!
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So, our next school rule is this: DON'T BRING YOUR QUEEN OUT IN THE OPENING WITHOUT A VERY GOOD REASON! If you play soccer, think of the Queen as your striker, the player who usually scores the winning goal - CHECKMATE! She's far too valuable to be used at the start except to win a piece or get checkmate.
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They often get checkmated at the start of the game They can't find anywhere safe for their King Santa doesn't bring them any presents All of these
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And what happens to kids who don't stick a pawn in the middle? They can't find good squares for their pieces They can never ATTACK the other guy They get sent to bed without any supper All of these
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They often lose their queen early in the game Their friends laugh at them for being so stupid The bogey man comes to get them All of these
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The next rule is this: CASTLE ON THE KING SIDE AS SOON AS YOU CAN, TO GET YOUR KING SAFE. Here, White's stuck his Pawns in the center and moved his Knight and Bishop out. Black's just moved his King and Queen. White can now get CHECKMATE by moving his Queen to f3!
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Here are some more rules: Don't make too many pawn moves in the opening Don't move pieces twice in the opening without a good reason Develop your Knights IN THE CENTER, NOT on the side
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Now for a quick test on the school rules. Choose a move for Black in this position. Qd8-f6
f7-f6 Nb8-c6
Bf8-c5
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Next question: which of these moves would you play for White here? a2-a4
Nb1-a3 Nf3xe5
Bf1-c4
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Final question: Choose a move for White here. d2-d4
Nf3-g5 Ke1-e2
h2-h4
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Congratulations!! You have now completed the FURTHER OPENING PRINCIPLES assignment.  
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