Pawns have a couple of surprises

Back in the pawn chapter, we learned the basic idea: pawns move forwards, but they normally capture diagonally. They cannot move backwards, and they cannot simply jump over something in their way.

That still holds true. But pawns have two special rules worth knowing: promotion and en passant (pronounced roughly on pah-SAHN).

One rewards a pawn for travelling all the way across the board. The other lets a pawn capture an opponent who has just raced past it.

Promotion: a pawn reaches the far side

A white pawn promotes when it reaches rank 8. A black pawn promotes when it reaches rank 1.

When a pawn arrives on its final rank, you must replace it immediately with one of your own queen, rook, bishop or knight. This is part of the same move, not a second turn. You cannot keep the pawn, choose a king, or wait until later to decide.

Most players choose a queen, because it is usually the most powerful option. And there's no limit of one queen per player — if you've still got your first queen, you can have a second (or more).

Try promotion yourself

Choose what your pawn becomes. First watch White promote by moving forwards; then look at a promotion made by capturing diagonally.

Black can promote too. Black's pawns travel towards rank 1.

In written chess notation, a promotion includes the new piece: e8=Q means a pawn moves to e8 and becomes a queen. bxa8=N means a pawn captures on a8 and becomes a knight.

En passant: capturing a pawn as it passes

The French phrase en passant means "in passing". It sounds more complicated than it is.

Remember that a pawn may move two squares forwards from its starting square, provided the way is clear. Without a special rule, that double-step could let a pawn rush past an enemy pawn without ever giving it a chance to capture.

En passant is the exception. Imagine that your white pawn is already on e5, and a black pawn moves from d7 to d5 in one move. Your white pawn is now directly beside it. On your very next move, you may move diagonally to d6 and remove the black pawn from d5.

Notice the unusual part: your pawn lands on an empty square, but it captures the pawn beside the square it left.

Follow the capture

Watch Black make the two-square move, then watch White capture as though the pawn had advanced only one square.

The rule also works for Black. Here, White advances two squares and Black gets the immediate opportunity.

When is en passant legal?

All the following need to be true:

1. The opponent has just moved a pawn two squares forwards from its starting square.
2. Your pawn was already beside the square where that pawn landed, on its fifth rank (for White) or fourth rank (for Black).
3. Your pawn could have captured the enemy pawn if it had moved just one square; you move diagonally onto that passed-over square.
4. You capture on your very next turn. If you play another move instead, that particular opportunity disappears.
5. As with any move, your king must remain safe. You cannot use en passant if it leaves your own king in check.

You don't have to capture en passant, even when it's available. It's an option, not a requirement.

Remember: Promotion is mandatory when a pawn reaches the last rank. En passant is optional, and its opportunity lasts for one move only.

Special Pawn Challenge

Look at each position and the proposed pawn move. Decide whether that move is legal right now. Some examples are promotions; others are en passant captures. You'll also meet a position where a pawn looks ready to capture en passant but the move would expose its king.

What to remember

• White promotes on rank 8; Black promotes on rank 1.
• You must promote straight away to a queen, rook, bishop or knight — never another pawn or a king.
• A pawn can promote with a straight advance or a diagonal capture.
• En passant captures a pawn that has just advanced two squares past your pawn's attacking square.
• Your pawn moves to the passed-over square, while the opposing pawn disappears from the square beside it.
• En passant must be played immediately or not at all, and it must leave your own king safe.

Knowledge check

Ready to see what you've picked up? Try these questions before moving on.