Chessschool

Lesson 2 of 13

The pawn

Eight of them, the smallest piece and yet indispensable. If a pawn reaches the far side, it usually promotes to a queen.

Step by step

A pawn moves one square forward. Never sideways, never backwards.

The first time you may run

A white pawn that is still on row 2 may move two squares at once, one time only. After that, one per move again.

Straight ahead is a closed door

If something stands straight in front of your pawn, it can't go on. A pawn never captures straight ahead.

Moving is straight, capturing is diagonal

If an enemy stands one square diagonally ahead, you may capture it and take its place.

Try the rule yourself

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