Check

Check is when your piece attacks the enemy king. My favourite moment: you announce check — and the opponent's whole plan goes in the bin, because a check MUST be answered immediately. There are exactly three ways: move the king away, block with your own piece, or capture the attacker. Ignoring a check isn't allowed — the rules won't let you. And beginners always panic and yank the king around, when often it's easier to just eat the insolent piece.

Time for my star turn! Your rook is on a1, the black king is on e8, on the eighth rank. Race your rook to the eighth rank — and the king ends up in its line of fire. That's check: an attack the opponent has to escape from right now.