En Passant: How This Move Is Made In Chess
What is your favorite move in chess? Mine is “en passant.” When you make an “en passant” capture, you show that you know more than the basic moves of chess. Sometimes you even have to teach other players this move.
To be successful, you need to understand these four steps:
Selecting “En Passant”
For you to make an “en passant” capture, first your opponent has to move a pawn two squares forward from its starting location and then place it directly beside one of your pawns as shown in the following video (click the image to play):
Now you have a special opportunity because typically a pawn may capture only diagonally. Although your opponent’s pawn is directly beside yours and not in the "normal" place for your pawn to capture it diagonally, you still may capture it—but only immediately on your next move. If you hesitate, the opportunity is lost forever when your opponent moves again.
Understanding The Move
An “en passant” capture is a special move that often occurs. Originally a pawn could move just one space forward on its initial move. Several centuries ago, the rules of chess were changed to permit a pawn to make a double-step forward on its first move.
“En passant”—a French term that means “in passing”—prevents a pawn from using a two-square move to avoid capture by an opponent’s pawn, so the pawn may be captured on the way to its destination instead of being captured on the square where it arrives.
The result is that you capture the pawn as if it had moved forward just one square.
A pawn may capture just one time by “en passant” because the move takes it past the rank (or row) where capturing by “en passant” is permitted. The move is an exception to the rule that a pawn may move only forward. Also important to understand is that “en passant” is a move for only pawns.
Being Careful
Always be alert for the conditions that permit you to make an “en passant” capture. When your opponent moves a pawn initially, is an “en passant” capture available to you? Does making the “en passant” move strengthen your position on the board?
Also be careful to make an “en passant” capture only after checking to make sure that it is to your advantage. Typically it is. However, sometimes it may be to your advantage to keep your pawn where it is and pass on the opportunity to capture your opponent’s pawn.
Making The Move
When you make the move and take your opponent’s pawn off the chessboard, simply say, “En passant.” Most opponents will understand. If yours does not, simply explain how this move is made. It is a special move—much like castling—and can be surprising when seen for the first time. (For special moves in chess, see the article “How To Play Chess For Kids”).
Practice this move several times with a friend so that you both understand the conditions when it can be made. When you make it, say, “En passant.” Now that you know one French expression useful in chess, be prepared in case an opponent tells you, “En garde” (a story for another article).
I love making “en passant” captures. I love even more the surprised look on an opponent’s face when I make it. Taking an opponent’s pawn this way is a delightful experience.
Be prepared to make this move in every game!
Learn more about how points are assigned to chess pieces with this kid-friendly infographic.