What is en passant in chess? The special rule every chess player should know

What is en passant in chess? The special rule every chess player should know

Sospeter Itolondo
updated at August 5, 2023 at 2:06 PM

Chess is a mental game that requires ultimate concentration to outclass the opponent. Players are required to master how each piece moves to win a game. What is en passant in chess?

What is en passant in chess?
Marc Llari poses a chess board at home in Pau, southwestern France, on January 9, 2023. Photo: Gaizka Iroz
Source: Getty Images

The strategic game is full of mystifying actions, each ready to unravel the opponent's next move. The en passant is one such move that proves helpful. What is en passant in a chess game?

What is en passant in chess rules?

What is the meaning of en passant in chess? En passant is a word of French origin meaning "in passing. That is how the action is executed in chess.

What is an en passant move in chess? This is the only action where the capturing piece does not land on the captured piece's square. It only involves the pawn pieces on the chessboard.

What is en passant in a chess game?
A close-up photo of a cream pawn chess piece on a black and white chessboard. Photo: Simonkr
Source: Getty Images

Normally, pawns only capture pieces placed on their way, heading directly diagonally while replacing the victim piece. But that is different in en passant.

So, what is en passant capture in chess? The action involves the opponent's pawn moving next to the player's pawn. The opponent then captures the pawn by moving a level up diagonally from its original position.

The FIDE defined the rule as:

"A pawn attacking a square crossed by an opponent's pawn which has advanced two squares in one move from its original square may capture this opponent's pawn as though the latter had been moved only one square. This capture is only legal on the move following this advance and is called an 'en passant' capture."

The action is legal and is recognised in the game. Why is en passant allowed in chess? The move was part of several moves players made to make the game move faster and more enjoyable. It also prevented the formation of passed pawns by easily jumping to the opponent's side.

What is en passant in chess rules?
An example of an en passant move in play on a chessboard. Photo: The Chess Journal
Source: UGC

However, the legality of the action depends on some factors. How does en passant work in chess? The action works when:

  • The capturing pawn has advanced exactly three ranks from its original position.
  • The captured pawn must have landed next to the capturing one after moving two squares in one move.
  • The action must be executed exactly on the first turn after the captured pawn has moved. This is the only chance for a player to capture en passant.

How many times can you en passant in chess?

The manner of pawns' movements only allows a player a maximum of two opportunities to capture by the move. A piece is only limited to capturing only one. A move from the rank where an en passant could occur disqualifies the pawn from the action.

What is the maximum number of possible moves in chess?

The maximum number of moves a position or a piece can perform is 218. Theoretically, the longest chess game would involve around 5494 moves, with more than 10^120 variations to every action on the board. An average chess game involves up to 40 moves.

Can you have two queens in chess?

Yes, a player can have more than one queen on their board. This happens when a player moves the pawn to the lowest rank on the opponent's side. The pawn is then converted to one of the pieces between a rook, bishop, knight or queen.

What is an en passant move in chess?
A black marble queen piece on a black and white chessboard. Photo: Mohammad Owais Khan
Source: Getty Images

Can a king check a king?

No, a king cannot check another king. This move is likened to the piece checkmating itself, which is impossible. The king can only help other pieces to capture the opposing king in checkmate.

Can two kings be left in chess?

Yes, the two pieces can be left alone. Although, the game will need to be declared a draw since the two pieces cannot check each other. The declaration cannot be named a stalemate, though, as both pieces can move whenever.

What happens if the king remains alone in chess? A king cannot check another king, so the best option for such a player would be to capture the opponent's remaining pieces so that the game can end in at least a draw.

How many pieces are there in chess?

The game has 16 pieces for each player. However, the game has six main pieces King, Queen, Rook, Bishop, Knight and Pawn. Every player has one king, one queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights and eight pawns.

what is en passant capture in chess?
A hand moving a black pawn piece on a chessboard. Photo: WIN-Initiative/Neleman
Source: Getty Images

The answer to what is an en passant in chess is simple as the move is relevant to pawns only. The action is legal and is part of the additions when the rules of chess were being finalised. However, the action can only be executed when certain conditions are made.

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