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How the Chess Pieces Move
One rule and one picture for every piece.
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Knight — the L-shape jumper
Two squares one way and one square at a right angle. It is the only piece that jumps over others.
Bishop — diagonals
Any number of unobstructed squares diagonally. A bishop remains on the same colour complex throughout the game.
Rook — ranks and files
Any number of unobstructed squares along a rank or file. Open files often give a rook useful lines into the opponent’s position.
Queen — straight and diagonal
The rook and bishop combined: any distance in a straight line or diagonal. The most powerful piece.
King — one square
One square in any direction, provided the destination is not attacked. Castling is the king’s one special two-square move.
Pawn — forward, captures diagonally
Moves one square straight forward into an empty square (or two from its starting rank if both are clear), but captures one square diagonally. Reaching the far rank, it must promote.