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Chessschool

By Chessschool · Updated 31 October 2026

Castling, en passant and promotion

These three special rules become easier when you check their exact conditions.

The king and rooks are on their starting squares. Castling still requires that neither has previously moved and that all other conditions hold. White to move.
The king and rooks are on their starting squares. Castling still requires that neither has previously moved and that all other conditions hold. White to move.

Castling

The king and the chosen rook must never have moved, and all squares between them must be empty. The king cannot be in check, pass through an attacked square or finish in check. Move the king two squares towards the rook, then put the rook beside it.

En passant

If an opposing pawn advances two squares from its starting square and lands beside your pawn on its fifth rank, you may capture it as though it moved one square. The option exists only on your very next move and must not leave your king in check.

Promotion

A pawn reaching the last rank must become a queen, rook, bishop or knight of its colour. You may choose a piece even if you still have your original one. Promotion does not allow a second king or another pawn.

Try it yourself

Can you castle after moving your king back to its starting square?

Check the answer

No. Once the king has moved, castling rights are permanently lost.

Put it into practice

Open the related lesson Practise with puzzles

Sources and corrections

For the official rules, see the FIDE Laws of Chess. Found an error? Send the position and page address.

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