how pieces move in chess by pikisoon

How Chess Pieces Move

In chess, each piece moves in a unique way. Here’s a breakdown of how all six types of pieces move:

♔ King

• Moves one square in any direction: horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
• Cannot move into check (a square attacked by an opponent’s piece).
• Special move: Castling (a move with the rook for safety).

♕ Queen

• The most powerful piece!
• Moves any number of squares horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
• Cannot jump over other pieces.

♖ Rook

• Moves any number of squares horizontally or vertically.
• Cannot jump over other pieces.
• Works well with the king in castling.

♗ Bishop

• Moves any number of squares diagonally.
• Cannot jump over other pieces.
• Each bishop stays on the same color for the entire game (light or dark squares).

♘ Knight

• Moves in an L-shape: two squares in one direction and then one square perpendicular to that.
• The only piece that can jump over other pieces!
• Can deliver forks (attacking multiple pieces at once).

♙ Pawn

• Moves one square forward, but captures diagonally.
• Can move two squares forward on its first move.
• Special moves:
  • En passant (captures a pawn that just moved two squares forward).
  • Promotion (if a pawn reaches the last rank, it can become a queen, rook, bishop, or knight).