Chess is one of the oldest board games ever. It has been played and loved for centuries, but in recent years it's surged in popularity with scores of new players looking to learn the chess rules.

Since 2020 interest in chess has skyrocketed, spurred on by people looking to play online during lockdowns, the popularity of Netflix show The Queen's Gambit and Twitch stars entering the PogChamps tournament and chess boxing. After a photo of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo playing chess went viral, Chess.com hit record levels of traffic.

Chess is experiencing a renaissance, but if you're new to the game learning the chess rules and different strategies can feel overwhelming. That's where our guide comes in. We'll talk you through the basic rules, including how to move and capture pieces as well as essential moves to winning, like en passant and castling.

The game requires a good deal of concentration and dedication to learning, and participants should be committed to expending earnest effort and being available for regular attendance. Attendance is very important and benefits everyone in the class.

Chess -- Wednesday 10:00 to 11:55 -- (Bill Martino)