Exercise 12.1Find the move
White to move
The enemy pawn has just moved two squares. Capture it en passant.
12
Chess from Zero · Kapilash Chess Academy
En Passant
The pawn capture that surprises beginners
In this lesson you will learn
- When a pawn can capture en passant
- How to play it on the board
- Why it must be done at once
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12.1 In passing
En passant is French for “in passing”. It is a special pawn capture. If an enemy pawn moves two squares forward from its starting square and lands right next to your pawn, your pawn may capture it as if it had moved only one square.
Diagram 12.1Black to move
Diagram 12.1 · White captures en passant
White’s pawn is on e5. Black plays ...d7–d5, jumping past the square d6 that the white pawn attacks.
White captures with exd6: the pawn moves diagonally to d6 and the black pawn on d5 is removed.
12.2 Only on the next move
You may capture en passant only on the very next move. If you play something else, the chance is gone for ever. En passant is the only capture where your pawn does not land on the square of the captured piece.
Diagram 12.2White to move
Diagram 12.2 · Your turn
Black has just played ...d7–d5.
Capture the d5-pawn en passant.
exd6 e.p. The white pawn moves to d6 and the black pawn disappears from d5.
Remember
- En passant: a pawn that jumps two squares past your pawn can be captured as if it moved one square.
- Your pawn moves diagonally to the square the enemy pawn jumped over.
- Only on the very next move.
Exercises · Lesson 12
Capture en passant when it is possible. Move your pawn diagonally behind the enemy pawn.
Capture en passant
Exercise 12.2Find the move
White to move
The enemy pawn has just moved two squares. Capture it en passant.
Exercise 12.3Find the move
White to move
The enemy pawn has just moved two squares. Capture it en passant.
Exercise 12.4Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. The enemy pawn has just moved two squares. Capture it en passant.
Exercise 12.5Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. The enemy pawn has just moved two squares. Capture it en passant.
Is en passant possible?
Exercise 12.6Question
White to move
Black’s pawn moved from d7 to d6 (one square). Can White capture en passant?
Exercise 12.7Question
White to move
Black played ...d7–d5 two moves ago, and since then both players have made another move. Can White still capture en passant?