How to Capture En Passant

Tutorial

From Mark Weeks, Your Guide to Chess. FREE Newsletter. Sign Up Now!

Pawn on its 5th row vs. Pawn on its 2nd row

Previous | Next >>

When a Pawn tries to slip past an enemy Pawn, there's a special move.

Take a look at the accompanying diagram. On the left side of the board, a white Pawn has advanced to its fifth row. In the adjacent column is a black Pawn still on its initial square. According to the rules the black Pawn has the option to advance one or two squares, as shown by the green circles.

On the right side of the board, a black Pawn has advanced to its fifth row. In the next column is a white Pawn which also has the option to advance two squares.

1. Pawn on its 5th row vs. Pawn on its 2nd row
2. Enemy Pawn advances two squares
3. Capture as though the enemy Pawn had advanced one square
4. En passant holds for either side
5. Summary of the e.p. rules

Previous | Next >>