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Chess rules · beginner

How the Bishop Moves

The bishop moves diagonally, any number of squares. It always stays on its own colour.

Last updated

touch_appLearn it by doing: read the short explanation, then play it on the board.

Quick answer

The bishop moves diagonally, any number of empty squares, forwards or backwards. Because it only moves diagonally, a bishop stays on the colour it starts on all game: each side has a light-squared and a dark-squared bishop. It cannot jump over pieces. A bishop is worth about three pawns.

Step by step

The bishop moves diagonally, any number of squares, but never jumps over pieces. Each side has a light-squared and a dark-squared bishop. A bishop stays on its starting colour all game. Worth about 3 pawns.

Common mistakes

  • Trying to move a bishop to a square of the other colour. A light-squared bishop can never reach a dark square.
  • Blocking your own bishop behind pawns on its colour. Keep its diagonals open.
  • Thinking a bishop can jump like a knight: any piece on its diagonal stops it.

Tips from the lesson

  • Diagonals only. Every star is on a dark square, like your bishop.

Where you'll use this

Pinarrow_forwardA pin is when a piece can't move because a more valuable piece stands behind it on the same line.Skewerarrow_forwardA skewer is a pin in reverse: you attack a valuable piece, it has to move out of the way, and you win the piece behind it.Batteryarrow_forwardA battery is two pieces lined up on the same line so they attack together: a queen and bishop on a diagonal, or two rooks (or a queen and rook) on a file.Boden's Matearrow_forwardBoden's mate is checkmate with two bishops on crossing diagonals, usually against a king that castled queenside.

FAQ

Can a bishop change colour?add

No. It moves only diagonally, so it stays on squares of one colour for the whole game.

Is a bishop better than a knight?add

Both are worth about 3 points. Bishops are better in open positions with long diagonals; knights in closed positions full of pawns.

What is the bishop pair?add

Having both bishops while your opponent doesn't. Together they cover both colours and are often worth a little more than a bishop and knight.

Can a bishop move backwards?add

Yes, diagonally in any of the four directions.