En Passant | Special Chess Moves
At some point every chess player is shocked the first time their opponent uses the en passant capture rule.
No, they are not cheating! They are using a pawn capture rule that was invented in the 15th century.
- En Passant Capture is ONLY for PAWNS!
- White pawn 5th rank, black pawn 4th rank.
- Opponent's pawn MUST make the double move.
- You MUST use the en'passant capture on that turn!
Step 1. En Passant is ONLY for PAWNS!
Yes, pawns are the known as the weakest piece in chess, but they are the only piece that can use this special rule! Any of your eight pawns can use the en passant capture when it is legal.
Pawns only!
Step 2. The capturing pawn must be on the fifth rank. The captured pawn must be on the fourth rank.
In order to use the en passant capture as White your pawn must be on the fifth rank, and for Black the pawn must be on the fouth rank!
White's e5-pawn, and Black's b4-pawn are ready to capture en passant.
Step 3. The captured pawn MUST move two squares forward.
For you to capture en passant your opponent's pawn MUST move two squares forward, landing next to your pawn. That means they had to move a pawn that has not moved, as pawns can only move two squares on their first turn.
Step 4. You MUST use the en passant capture on that turn!
As soon as your opponent moves two squares forward next to your pawn, you have to decide if you want to use the en passant capture. If you choose not to on that turn, you lose the right to use the en passant capture. Of course, if the opportunity comes up again in a different position you can use this special rule.
So keep an eye out in your games on Chess.com to see when you can use this special pawn rule!
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