The Bishop

Diagonals, always on one colour

In this lesson you will learn

How the bishop moves
Light-squared and dark-squared bishops
Capturing with the bishop

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3.1 How the bishop moves

The bishop moves diagonally, as many squares as it likes, in any of the four diagonal directions. Like the rook, it cannot jump over pieces.

The bishop’s movesFrom d4 the bishop can reach 13 squares, all marked with dots. Notice they are all dark squares.

3.2 One colour for ever

Because it moves diagonally, a bishop never changes colour. A bishop that starts on a light square stays on light squares for the whole game. Each player has one light-squared and one dark-squared bishop.

Two bishopsWhite’s bishop on c1 moves on dark squares, the one on f1 on light squares. Together they can reach every square.

Diagram 3.1White to move

Diagram 3.1 · Along the long diagonal

The bishop on b2 looks along the long diagonal.

Capture the black knight.

Remember

The bishop moves diagonally, any number of squares.
It always stays on squares of one colour.
It cannot jump.

Exercises · Lesson 3

Move the white bishop. Remember: it always stays on squares of one colour.

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