Chess playing is a mental exercise in which the player must think strategically. The most important strategy to remember is what each chess piece is. There are 6 different names and 16 different chess pieces. Two sets of chess pieces, each a separate entity of 8 pawns, 2 rooks, 2 bishops, 2 knights, 1 queen and 1 king. Each chess piece has certain moves it can do; the important thing to remember is once you have lost your king you have lost the game.

King - can only move one position away from itself at all times - except when exchanging positions with the rook. This exchange has to be the first move of the king since the beginning of the game. There has to be clear pathway from the rook to the king, no chess piece in between.

Queen - is the only chess piece that can move any amount of spaces in any direction, diagonally or horizontally, forwards or backwards.  It is the key chess piece and many times is the deciding factor in a game. The queen usually controls the game.

Bishop – only travels diagonally on only same color squares. It is not as powerful a chess piece as the queen, yet it can help when used in conjunction with another chess piece to procure a move for a checkmate position. It either guards the chess piece that is doing the checkmate or causes a distraction.

Knight – travels in the oddest form. It moves 3 squares forward, backward or sideways and then another square to the side. The chess playing move is sometimes described as an “L”. It is usually best for ambushing and securing a victory. Because of the different method of travel for this chess piece, it is more difficult for the opponent to determine its next move.

Rook – moves forward, to the side or backwards, as many spaces as he wishes. The strength of the Rook chess piece usually lies in being a guard for the King.

Pawn – Thought to be the least significant chess piece on the board, only achieves its power when it reaches the opponents side and transforms into another chess piece.  As a lost chess piece or one that is needed, this chess piece can be used as a Rook, a Queen, a Bishop, or a Knight when necessary.

Craig has a lot of knowledge and experience in strategy and life that he would like to share. He is good at strategy and story telling is his strength. Combined they give great practical information on what he writes about. He is passionate about strategy, green energy, science and story telling. His knowledge and education covers an even greater ground as he constantly researches his interests. His future plans are for more education in the science and business areas.