Chess is a game of thinking ahead. Players need to plan moves and watch what the other side is doing. Over time, people started using chess words to talk about life. These special phrases are called idioms. Idioms help us understand big ideas with short expressions. They make speaking and writing more interesting.
In this article, you will learn some idioms that come from the game of chess. These phrases are not just about the board. They can describe real-life choices, problems, or smart thinking. Whether it’s about “making a move” or “being in check,” these idioms show how life can be like a chess game. Let’s look at them one by one.
Idioms About Chess
1. Checkmate
Meaning: A final move that ends the game or situation.
Example Sentence:
• When Mom said no more cookies, it was a checkmate for my snack plan.
• The teacher’s question was so tricky, it felt like a checkmate.
Other ways to say: Game over, no way out
Fun Fact/Origin: In chess, “checkmate” means the king is trapped and the game is over.
Usage: Used when someone has no way to win or escape.
2. Make the first move
Meaning: To take the first step in starting something.
Example Sentence:
• Jason made the first move by saying hi to the new student.
• I was nervous, but I made the first move and asked to play.
Other ways to say: Start things, go first
Fun Fact/Origin: In chess, players take turns, so someone always starts with the first move.
Usage: Used when someone begins something, like talking or acting.
3. A pawn in the game
Meaning: A person being used by others.
Example Sentence:
• He didn’t know the full plan—he was just a pawn in the game.
• I felt like a pawn when my brother made me take the blame.
Other ways to say: Being used, not in control
Fun Fact/Origin: Pawns are the smallest and weakest chess pieces.
Usage: Used when someone is being used to do something without knowing the whole plan.
4. Play your cards right
Meaning: Make good choices to get what you want.
Example Sentence:
• If you play your cards right, you might get ice cream after dinner.
• She played her cards right and got a great seat at the game.
Other ways to say: Be smart, make good moves
Fun Fact/Origin: Though more from card games, this phrase is used in chess-like strategy talk.
Usage: Used when someone needs to make smart choices.
5. In check
Meaning: In trouble or under pressure.
Example Sentence:
• When I forgot my homework, I was in check with the teacher.
• The soccer team was in check after losing the first half.
Other ways to say: In trouble, under pressure
Fun Fact/Origin: In chess, being “in check” means your king is in danger.
Usage: Used when someone is in a tough spot.
6. Think three moves ahead
Meaning: Plan for the future.
Example Sentence:
• To win the spelling bee, she had to think three moves ahead.
• I packed extra snacks because I was thinking ahead.
Other ways to say: Plan ahead, be prepared
Fun Fact/Origin: In chess, good players plan many moves ahead.
Usage: Used when someone prepares for what might happen next.
7. On the board
Meaning: Ready to be dealt with or considered.
Example Sentence:
• We have a few ideas on the board for the school project.
• The class had many questions on the board for the teacher.
Other ways to say: Ready, available
Fun Fact/Origin: In chess, the board is where all the action takes place.
Usage: Used when something is part of the plan or ready to be discussed.
8. A stalemate
Meaning: A situation where no one can win.
Example Sentence:
• We both wanted the last slice, but couldn’t decide—stalemate.
• The vote ended in a stalemate, so we had to try again.
Other ways to say: Tie, no winner
Fun Fact/Origin: In chess, a stalemate is when a player can’t move and it’s a draw.
Usage: Used when nothing can be done or decided.
9. Move by move
Meaning: Doing something step by step.
Example Sentence:
• We built the model airplane move by move.
• She solved the puzzle move by move.
Other ways to say: Step by step, one at a time
Fun Fact/Origin: Chess is played one move at a time, requiring careful planning.
Usage: Used when someone takes time to complete something slowly and carefully.
10. Chess match
Meaning: A situation where two sides compete with careful thinking.
Example Sentence:
• The debate felt like a chess match between the two students.
• The argument between them was like a long chess match.
Other ways to say: Careful fight, smart contest
Fun Fact/Origin: A chess match is a game played between two players using strategy.
Usage: Used to describe a situation with smart back-and-forth actions.
11. Check your move
Meaning: Think before doing something.
Example Sentence:
• Before you reply, check your move.
• He always checks his move before acting.
Other ways to say: Think it through, be careful
Fun Fact/Origin: In chess, every move can change the game, so players think first.
Usage: Used when someone should pause and think before acting.
12. Play the game
Meaning: Go along with rules or plans.
Example Sentence:
• To stay in the club, you have to play the game.
• She played the game and got what she wanted.
Other ways to say: Follow along, go with it
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from both chess and other games where rules matter.
Usage: Used when someone is following a system or plan.
13. Opening move
Meaning: The first action in a plan.
Example Sentence:
• His opening move was to say something kind.
• My opening move was to ask for help.
Other ways to say: First step, beginning action
Fun Fact/Origin: In chess, the opening move starts the game and sets the tone.
Usage: Used when someone begins a plan or effort.
14. A strategic move
Meaning: A smart and planned action.
Example Sentence:
• Choosing that book was a strategic move for the contest.
• Sitting close to the front was a strategic move to hear better.
Other ways to say: Smart step, wise choice
Fun Fact/Origin: In chess, strategy helps players win by planning ahead.
Usage: Used when someone takes a smart action after thinking.
15. Get out of check
Meaning: Solve a problem or escape danger.
Example Sentence:
• I studied hard to get out of check with my grades.
• He apologized to get out of check with his friend.
Other ways to say: Fix it, escape trouble
Fun Fact/Origin: In chess, getting out of check means saving your king.
Usage: Used when someone finds a way out of a hard situation.
16. Call the next move
Meaning: Decide what to do next.
Example Sentence:
• The coach called the next move during the game.
• Let’s call the next move and finish the project.
Other ways to say: Make the next step, decide
Fun Fact/Origin: In chess, players must decide what move comes next.
Usage: Used when making a new decision or plan.
17. A well-played game
Meaning: A smart or respectful action.
Example Sentence:
• Even though he lost, it was a well-played game.
• She finished the speech calmly—a well-played game.
Other ways to say: Good try, smart action
Fun Fact/Origin: Chess players respect each other’s smart moves, even in loss.
Usage: Used to praise smart or kind efforts.
18. Back to the board
Meaning: Start again or rethink.
Example Sentence:
• The idea didn’t work, so we went back to the board.
• After losing the round, they went back to the board.
Other ways to say: Start over, rethink
Fun Fact/Origin: In chess, players review the board to try new plans.
Usage: Used when something fails and needs a new try.
19. Off the board
Meaning: No longer a choice or part of the plan.
Example Sentence:
• Ice cream is off the board until after dinner.
• That idea is off the board now.
Other ways to say: Not an option, taken away
Fun Fact/Origin: In chess, captured pieces are taken off the board.
Usage: Used when a plan or choice is no longer possible.
20. Caught in a trap
Meaning: Stuck in a bad situation because of a move.
Example Sentence:
• I was caught in a trap after lying about homework.
• He was caught in a trap and couldn’t win the game.
Other ways to say: Stuck, tricked
Fun Fact/Origin: In chess, traps are moves that trick your opponent.
Usage: Used when someone falls into a hard problem due to choices.
21. Sacrifice a piece
Meaning: Give up something now to get something better later.
Example Sentence:
• I sacrificed my screen time to finish my homework.
• He sacrificed his lunch break to help his friend.
Other ways to say: Give up now, gain later
Fun Fact/Origin: In chess, players sometimes lose a piece to win later.
Usage: Used when someone gives up something to help a bigger plan.
22. A powerful move
Meaning: A strong and smart action.
Example Sentence:
• Her idea to raise money was a powerful move.
• Speaking up was a powerful move.
Other ways to say: Strong step, bold action
Fun Fact/Origin: In chess, powerful moves change the game.
Usage: Used when someone does something important or bold.
23. Endgame
Meaning: The final part of something.
Example Sentence:
• We’re in the endgame of the school year.
• The endgame of the contest was the last round.
Other ways to say: Final part, last stage
Fun Fact/Origin: The endgame is the last part of a chess match.
Usage: Used when something is almost finished.
24. Be two steps ahead
Meaning: Be more prepared than others.
Example Sentence:
• She was two steps ahead with her science project.
• He stayed two steps ahead by reading early.
Other ways to say: Be ready, think ahead
Fun Fact/Origin: Good chess players think ahead of their opponent.
Usage: Used when someone is ready before others.
25. Set up the board
Meaning: Get everything ready to begin.
Example Sentence:
• Let’s set up the board before we start the game.
• She set up the board for the meeting.
Other ways to say: Prepare, get ready
Fun Fact/Origin: Every chess game starts by setting up the board.
Usage: Used when getting ready for something important.
26. A tricky move
Meaning: A clever or sneaky action.
Example Sentence:
• That was a tricky move to win the game.
• Her tricky move got everyone’s attention.
Other ways to say: Clever step, smart trick
Fun Fact/Origin: Chess players often use tricky moves to surprise opponents.
Usage: Used when someone does something clever or unexpected.
27. Cornered
Meaning: Having no good choices left.
Example Sentence:
• I felt cornered when both teams wanted me.
• He was cornered and had to tell the truth.
Other ways to say: Stuck, trapped
Fun Fact/Origin: In chess, a piece near the corner has fewer moves.
Usage: Used when someone is out of options.
28. Knight’s move
Meaning: A move that is different or surprising.
Example Sentence:
• Her idea was like a knight’s move—unexpected but smart.
• He used a knight’s move to solve the puzzle.
Other ways to say: Odd move, surprise plan
Fun Fact/Origin: Knights move in an L-shape, different from other pieces.
Usage: Used when someone acts in a surprising but smart way.
29. Make a comeback
Meaning: To return strong after losing.
Example Sentence:
• We made a comeback and won the match.
• He made a comeback on his math test.
Other ways to say: Return strong, bounce back
Fun Fact/Origin: In chess, players can come back even if they are losing.
Usage: Used when someone improves after falling behind.
30. No more moves
Meaning: Nothing else can be done.
Example Sentence:
• I had no more moves to win the board game.
• He had no more moves to fix the mistake.
Other ways to say: Out of options, done
Fun Fact/Origin: In chess, if you can’t move, the game ends.
Usage: Used when someone runs out of choices.
31. A quiet move
Meaning: A small action that helps a lot.
Example Sentence:
• Helping him study was a quiet move that helped him pass.
• That quiet move made a big change.
Other ways to say: Small step, simple action
Fun Fact/Origin: In chess, a quiet move doesn’t attack but helps in the long run.
Usage: Used when someone makes a small but helpful choice.
32. Off the board thinking
Meaning: A creative or new way to solve something.
Example Sentence:
• Her off-the-board thinking solved the puzzle.
• Off-the-board thinking helped us win the contest.
Other ways to say: Think outside the box, be creative
Fun Fact/Origin: Chess usually follows rules, but sometimes thinking differently helps.
Usage: Used when someone solves a problem in a creative way.
33. Under pressure
Meaning: Feeling stress to act fast or do well.
Example Sentence:
• I was under pressure during the spelling test.
• He performs well under pressure.
Other ways to say: Stressed, in a tight spot
Fun Fact/Origin: Chess players are often under pressure during big matches.
Usage: Used when someone feels stress to succeed.
34. King me
Meaning: Asking for recognition or reward.
Example Sentence:
• After cleaning the house, he said, “King me!”
• She got an A and joked, “King me!”
Other ways to say: Give me credit, reward me
Fun Fact/Origin: Though from checkers, it’s used like chess language for winning.
Usage: Used when someone feels proud and wants credit.
35. Playing both sides
Meaning: Trying to get benefits from both groups.
Example Sentence:
• He was playing both sides in the group project.
• Playing both sides made people lose trust in him.
Other ways to say: Not picking a side, acting smart
Fun Fact/Origin: In chess, each side has its own team—playing both would be unfair.
Usage: Used when someone doesn’t choose a side but tries to win either way.
Quiz: Idioms About Chess
Instructions: Choose the correct meaning for each idiom. Each question has one correct answer. Use what you’ve learned from the idioms to find the best choice.
Question Key
1. What does “checkmate” mean?
A) To start a new game
B) To end a situation with no way out
C) To change your plan halfway
2. If someone “makes the first move,” what are they doing?
A) Waiting for someone else
B) Running away from a problem
C) Starting something
3. What does it mean to be “a pawn in the game”?
A) Being in charge
B) Being used by others
C) Winning the game
4. When someone says “think three moves ahead,” what are they suggesting?
A) Move as fast as you can
B) Plan for what might happen next
C) Stop and take a break
5. What does “stalemate” mean?
A) Someone won the game
B) No one can win or move forward
C) The game is just starting
6. What does it mean if someone is “under pressure”?
A) They are feeling calm
B) They are feeling stressed
C) They are taking a break
7. If someone “sacrifices a piece,” what are they doing?
A) Giving up everything forever
B) Quitting the game early
C) Giving up something to help in the long run
8. What does “cornered” mean?
A) Having too many choices
B) Not being able to move or get out
C) Sitting in a corner
9. If someone “makes a comeback,” what does it mean?
A) They leave the game
B) They return after losing and do better
C) They take a long break
10. What does it mean to “play both sides”?
A) Support just one person
B) Try to get benefits from two groups
C) Watch a game without playing
11. What does “quiet move” mean?
A) A move made while whispering
B) A big surprise
C) A small action that helps a lot
12. What does “off the board thinking” mean?
A) Thinking after the game ends
B) Using creative ideas to solve a problem
C) Stopping the game
13. What does “endgame” mean?
A) The first step in the game
B) A time to rest
C) The last part of a plan or match
Answer Key
- B) To end a situation with no way out
- C) Starting something
- B) Being used by others
- B) Plan for what might happen next
- B) No one can win or move forward
- B) They are feeling stressed
- C) Giving up something to help in the long run
- B) Not being able to move or get out
- B) They return after losing and do better
- B) Try to get benefits from two groups
- C) A small action that helps a lot
- B) Using creative ideas to solve a problem
- C) The last part of a plan or match
Wrapping Up
Chess idioms are more than just game talk. They help us explain smart choices, tough spots, or new starts in real life. When we say someone made a “powerful move” or is “in check,” we’re using chess words to describe everyday moments. These idioms show how a quiet game can teach big lessons. You can try using some in your writing or when talking to others—they’re easy to learn and fun to use.
