Chessville
...by Chessplayers, for Chessplayers!

Today is

Site Map

If you have disabled Java for your browser, use the Site Map (linked in the header and footer).

Chessville
logo by
ChessPrints

Advertise
with
Chessville!!

Advertise to
thousands
of chess
fans for
as little
as $25.

Single insert:
$35
x4 insert:
@ $25 each.

From the
Chessville
Chess Store

Rules

How the Pieces Move -- Check

“Check” isn’t really a move per se; however, we need to understand it before we can learn a special move called castling. Check is a situation which occurs when a king is “under attack” by an enemy piece; that is, when an enemy piece is in a position where it could move and capture the king on its next move, unless prevented. Observe the following diagram. The white king is in check by black’s rook: black’s rook has its “sights set” on the white king. The black king is currently in check by white’s knight: the knight is in a position where it could capture the black king on its next move unless prevented. (Note that "simultaneous check" could never occur during an actual game, for reasons which will soon become clear.)

However, as previously stated, kings are never actually captured (unless you count checkmate, which we will learn a little later). This is because any player whose king is in check must get the king out of check on their next move; this is mandatory, so long as there is any legal move available with which to do so. (In fact, if there is no such legal move, if it is impossible to get the king out of check, it is called “checkmate!”, as we shall see.) There are three ways to get your king out of check: one, move the king to a square which is not in check; two, capture the enemy piece which is checking the king; or three, put one of your own pieces between your king and the checking piece (obviously, this doesn’t apply to checks given by knights, since their checks “jump” over pieces just as they do). Note that you cannot give a "retributive check" in response to a check; thus, simultaneous check (as in the position above) is not possible during a normal game. Furthermore, although it probably goes without saying, it is illegal to place one’s king in check during one's move.

It used to be mandatory that the player giving check had to call “check” aloud; however, this is no longer the case, and it is usually considered rude.

Next: How the Pieces Move -- Castling