No move may be made such that the king is placed or left in check. The king may move to any adjoining square.The queen may move any number of squares vertically, horizontally, or diagonally without jumping.Consequently, a bishop stays on squares of the same color throughout the game. The bishop may move any number of squares diagonally without jumping.It also takes part, along with the king, in castling. The rook may move any number of squares vertically or horizontally without jumping.

During play, the players take turns moving their own chess pieces. The rules of chess prescribe the moves each type of chess piece can make. Squares are referenced using algebraic notation. By convention, the queen, rooks, and pawns are specified by name in these cases – for example, 'winning a queen', 'losing a rook', or 'sacrificing a pawn'.

In phrases such as 'winning a piece', 'losing a piece' or 'sacrificing a piece' and other related contexts, it refers only to minor pieces (bishops or knights).

In this context, the pieces can be broken down into three groups: major pieces (queen and rooks), minor pieces (bishops and knights), and the king.

In play, the term is usually used to exclude pawns, referring only to a queen, rook, bishop, knight, or king.

Chess sets have been made in a variety of styles, sometimes for decorative or artistic purposes rather than practical play, but the Staunton pattern is standard for competition. When used this way, 'piece' is synonymous with 'chessman' or simply 'man'.

It may mean any of the physical pieces of the set, including the pawns.The word 'piece' has three meanings, depending on the context. In a standard game, each of the two players begins with the following sixteen pieces: The pieces that belong to each player are distinguished by color: the lighter colored pieces are referred to as 'white' and the player that owns them as 'White', whereas the darker colored pieces are referred to as 'black' and the player that owns them as 'Black'. Each player begins with sixteen pieces (but see the subsection below for other usage of the term piece).

Short bullet typemetal piece chess set