| Description | Term |
| A move that results in loss of material or the game | |
| To move a king over two spaces to either the kingside or queenside and moving the rook to the other side of it before either piece has moved | |
| When one side's king is threatened, but that side can move so the king no longer threatened | |
| When one side's king is threatened and that side can't move to remove that threat, resulting in loss of the game | |
| When one side's king is not threatened but that side cannot make a legal move | |
| When a piece can be taken | |
| To capture a pawn that has moved two squares on its first turn as if it had only moves one | |
| To develop a bishop on the corner (b2, g2, b7 or g7) | |
| | Description | Term |
| When two or more pieces are threatened | |
| When a piece cannot move without exposing a more valuable piece to capture | |
| When a piece cannot move without exposing a less valuable piece to capture. | |
| An opening that sacrifices material for another advantage | |
| A horizontal row of squares on the chessboard | |
| A vertical row of squares on the chessboard | |
| When a player must move even though any move will be harmful to them | |
| A surprise move is a seemingly forced sequenced | |
| One move | |
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