Beginner

2. The Pawn

Learn how pawns move, capture, and their special first-move option.

Introduction

Pawns are the soul of chess! Each side starts with 8 pawns. They may seem weak, but they control the board and can even become queens. Let's learn how they work.

Lesson Content

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Each side starts with 8 pawns on its own second rank. White's pawns are on the 2nd rank, Black's on the 7th. Pawns can only move forward—never backward or sideways.

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A pawn moves forward one square at a time. From its starting position (2nd rank for White, 7th for Black), it has the special option to advance two squares on its very first move.

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1. e4

Push the e-pawn from e2 to e4.

Try the pawn's double-step! Move this pawn two squares forward.

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After the pawn has moved from its starting square, it can only advance one square at a time. The double-step is a one-time option from the starting rank.

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1. e5

Push the pawn from e4 to e5.

Now move the pawn one square forward.

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Pawns capture diagonally—one square forward-left or forward-right. They cannot capture straight ahead. If a pawn is blocked by a piece directly in front, it cannot move forward at all.

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1. exd5

Move the e4 pawn diagonally to d5 to capture.

Capture the black pawn diagonally!

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How many squares can a pawn move forward from its starting position?

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How do pawns capture other pieces?

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When a pawn reaches the opposite end of the board (8th rank for White, 1st for Black), it must promote to another piece—usually a queen. We'll cover promotion in detail in a later lesson!