Chapter 02 · Beginner · 3 min
The pawn
The pawn looks modest, but it has ambition. It moves forward, captures diagonally, and can become a queen if it reaches the end.
Explanation
The pawn is small, but it has its own rules.
A pawn moves straight forward one square. From his starting square, he can advance two squares if the path is clear. On the other hand, he does not capture as he advances: to take a piece, he goes diagonally one square forward.
It's often the detail that blocks complete beginners. If an opposing piece is right in front of your pawn, your pawn cannot capture it. It's blocked. If an opposing piece is diagonally in front of him, he can take it there. Later, we will add two special pawn rules: promotion and en passant capture. The pawn is polite, but he still has his own little rules of procedure.
Example: a White pawn on e4 can advance on e5 if the square is free, but it captures on d5 or f5.
To remember
The pawn advances straight, captures diagonally, and can advance two squares from its starting square.
Classic error
Try to capture everything straight. The pawn advances straight, but it eats diagonally.
Player Tip
A pawn looks small, but a pawn passing close to promotion can become the center of the entire game.