Chess Pieces

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The King

The king can move to any of the squares pointed to by an arrow in the diagram on the left. The king is the main chess piece. The side whose king is captured loses. This capture is called 'checkmate'. Checkmate happens once the king is under attack, cannot move and cannot be helped by its own army of chessmen.

To underscore the highest value of the King relative to other pieces in a chess game, in early computer chess programs, the king was assigned a value of 200 points.

The Queen

The Queen can move any number of squares diagonally and also in horizontal and vertical directions. The Queen, however, cannot jump over any pieces. The diagram on the left illustrates that the Queen can move to any of the squares pointed to by an arrow and also to any of the squares marked with red dots.

To underscore the high value of the Queen relative to other chess pieces in a chess game, in early computer chess programs, the Queen was assigned a value of 9 points.

The Rook

The Rook can move any number of squares in horizontal and vertical directions. The Rook, however, cannot jump over any pieces. The diagram on the left illustrates that the Rook can move to any of the squares pointed to by an arrow and also to a square marked with a red dot.

To underscore the value of the Rook in a chess game, in early computer chess programs, the Rook was assigned a value of 5 points.

The Bishop

The Bishop can move any number of squares diagonally only. The Bishop, however, cannot jump over any pieces. The diagram on the left illustrates that the Bishop can move to any of the squares pointed to by an arrow.

To underscore the value of the Bishop relative to other chess pieces in a chess game, in early computer chess programs, the Bishop was assigned a value of 3 points.

The Knight

The Knight can move from one corner to the other of any 2x3 rectangle of squares. The Knight is also the only piece that can jump over any other chess pieces. The diagram on the left illustrates that the Knight can move to any of the squares pointed to by a red dot.

To underscore the value of the Knight relative to other chess pieces in a chess game, in early computer chess programs, the Knight was assigned a value of 3 points.

The Pawn

The Pawn can move from straight ahead only. From its starting square, the pawn can move or 2 squares straight ahead. If the pawn is not on its starting square, it can only move 1 square straight ahead. The diagram on the left illustrates that the pawn can move to any of the squares pointed to by an arrow and a red dot. Although pawns move only forward, they capture only sideways 1 square diagonally forward -- see diagram in Chess Rules)

To underscore the value of the Pawn relative to other chess pieces in a chess game, in early computer chess programs, the Pawn was assigned a value of 1 point.