Chess is a strategic board game played between two players. Each player starts with 16 pieces, including a king, queen, rooks, knights, bishops, and pawns. The objective is to checkmate the opponent's king, which means putting it in a position where it cannot escape capture. Players take turns moving their pieces, each with its own unique way of moving. The game is played on an 8x8 grid called a chessboard, alternating between light and dark squares. Chess is not only a fun pastime but also a way to develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Many people enjoy playing casually or competitively in tournaments.