Moves of the Pawn

The Pawn

Pawns can only move forward one square at a time, except for their very first move where they can move forward two squares. If there is another piece directly in front of a pawn, he cannot move past.

Pawns move forward, but eat diagonally. The Pawn can only take out or eat an opposing piece, moving diagonally one square forward.

If there is another piece directly in front of a pawn, he can't eat that piece.

En Passant - In Passing

This rule about Pawns is called "en passant" (French), which basically means "in passing": if a Pawn moves out two squares on its first move, and by doing so, lands to the side of an opponent's Pawn (effectively jumping past the other Pawn's ability to eat it), that other pawn has the option of eating the first Pawn as it passes by.

This special move must be done immediately after the first Pawn has moved past, otherwise the option to eat it, is no longer available.

Promotion

Only Pawns may be promoted. If a Pawn reaches the other side of the board, it can become any other chess piece (called promotion). A Pawn may be promoted to any piece (Queen, Rook, Bishop or Knight).