Can a Pawn Take a Queen or Become a Queen? Pawn FAQ

Pawns are the most common chess piece, so knowing how to move them correctly is very important. On a freshly set up chess board, each side begins the game with 8 pawns. This FAQ covers some common points of confusion, starting with the title questions: Can a Pawn Take a Queen, and Can a Pawn Become a Queen?

Can a Pawn Take a Queen?

Yes. If a queen is 1 square diagonally in front of a pawn, the pawn can take the queen.

Can a Pawn Become a Queen?

Yes. A pawn that reaches the opponent’s back row on the other side of the board becomes another piece, usually a queen, as the queen is the most powerful piece. But it’s not mandatory for it to become a queen. If you want, the pawn can become a rook, bishop or knight instead.

A pawn that reaches the other side must be promoted to another piece; it can’t stay a pawn or turn into a king.

How Does a Pawn Move?

A pawn moves 1 square forward at a time. The only time this changes is on a pawn’s very first move, where you have the option of moving it 1 or 2 squares forward.

While pawns move straight ahead, they don’t attack straight ahead. Pawns can only capture 1 square diagonally forward to either side. Here’s a visual on pawn movement:

Can a Pawn Take a Rook, Bishop, Knight or Pawn?

Yes. A pawn can capture any of those pieces if they are 1 square diagonally in front of the pawn.

Can a Pawn Take a King?

No. No piece can take a king.

Can a Pawn Check or Checkmate a King?

Yes. A pawn can place the enemy king in check or checkmate.

How Many Squares Can a Pawn Move?

A pawn moves and captures 1 square at a time, with an exception. On each pawn’s first move they have the option of moving 1 or 2 squares forward. This 2 square option doesn’t apply to capturing.

Can a Pawn Attack Forward?

Yes, but only diagonally forward. A pawn doesn’t attack the square directly in front of it.

Can a Pawn Move Backwards or Attack Backwards?

No. Pawns can’t move backwards and they don’t capture backwards. They only move forward and attack diagonally forward.

Can a Pawn Capture On Its First Move?

Yes. If an enemy piece is 1 square diagonally in front of a pawn, it can capture it on its first move.

Can a Pawn Move Diagonally Without Capturing?

No. For regular moves, only straight ahead is allowed.

Can a Pawn Jump?

No. A pawn never jumps, either over friendly or enemy pieces.

Can a Pawn Take a Pawn Beside It?: En Passant Capture

Usually, no. There’s one situation, a special rule called en passant, that allows a pawn to capture a pawn that is directly to the side. To do this:

Your pawn must be 3 rows away from your opponent’s back row
Your opponent’s pawn must have moved 2 squares, landing next to your pawn on their last move.

Here’s what it looks like:

First board: The black pawn is 3 rows away from white’s back row. The white pawn moves 2 squares on its first move, landing next to the black pawn. Second board: The black pawn attacks diagonally forward (like always), but it attacks the square behind the white pawn, capturing it. Notice that the capture works as if the white pawn moved only 1 square instead of 2.

The en passant FAQ takes a closer look at this special pawn move.

I hope this has answered Can a Pawn Take a Queen and Can a Pawn Become a Queen. Enjoy playing!