Chess rules · beginner
En Passant
A special pawn capture: Black just moved d7-d5 next to your pawn. Capture it 'in passing'.
Last updated
touch_appLearn it by doing: read the short explanation, then play it on the board.
Quick answer
En passant is a special pawn capture. If an enemy pawn moves two squares from its start and lands right beside your pawn, your pawn may capture it as if it had moved only one square, by moving diagonally behind it. You must do it immediately, on the very next move, or lose the chance.
Step by step
Common mistakes
- Trying it later: en passant is only legal on the move straight after the double step.
- Using it against pieces. Only a pawn that just moved two squares can be taken en passant.
- Forgetting where your pawn lands: on the square the enemy pawn passed over, not on its square.
Tips from the lesson
- Your e5 pawn captures diagonally onto d6, the square the black pawn skipped.
FAQ
Is en passant compulsory?add
No. Like every capture in chess it's optional, unless it's your only legal move.
Which pawns can capture en passant?add
Only a pawn on your 5th rank (White) or 4th rank (Black), right next to the enemy pawn that just made a double step.
Why does en passant exist?add
It was added when pawns got the two-square first move, so a pawn can't use it to sneak past an enemy pawn without risk.
How is en passant written?add
Like a normal pawn capture, e.g. exd6, sometimes with 'e.p.' after it.