How Chess Pieces Move (and What Each One Is Worth)
A clear guide to how every chess piece moves: king, queen, rook, bishop, knight and pawn, with their point values and tips on using each one well.
Every chess piece has its own way of moving, and each one has a rough value in points. Knowing both is the foundation of every good decision you make on the board.
The king
The king moves one square in any direction. It is the most important piece: if it is checkmated, the game is lost. It is weak in the opening, so keep it safe, usually by castling. In the endgame, when few pieces are left, the king becomes a strong fighting piece.
The queen (9 points)
The queen moves any number of squares in a straight line or diagonally. She is the strongest piece. Don't bring her out too early: the opponent will chase her while developing their own pieces.
The rook (5 points)
The rook moves any number of squares horizontally or vertically. Rooks love open files (columns with no pawns) and the seventh rank. Two rooks working together are a powerful force.
The bishop (3 points)
The bishop moves any number of squares diagonally and always stays on the same color. Keeping both bishops (the "bishop pair") is an advantage in open positions.
The knight (3 points)
The knight moves in an L shape: two squares in one direction, then one square to the side. It is the only piece that can jump over other pieces. Knights are best in the centre: "a knight on the rim is dim". Knights are also the kings of forks.
The pawn (1 point)
The pawn moves one square forward, or two squares on its first move. It captures one square diagonally forward. Pawns can't move backwards. A pawn that reaches the last rank is promoted, usually to a queen.
Piece values at a glance
- Pawn: 1
- Knight: 3
- Bishop: 3
- Rook: 5
- Queen: 9
- King: priceless
Use these values to judge trades. Giving a knight for a rook ("winning the exchange") is good for you. Giving your queen for a rook is usually a disaster. Practise with the piece value lesson.
FAQ
Which chess piece is the most powerful?
The queen, because she combines the moves of the rook and the bishop. The king is the most important, but not the most powerful.
Can a knight jump over pieces?
Yes. The knight is the only piece that can jump over other pieces, both yours and your opponent's.
Can pawns move backwards?
No. Pawns only move forward, which is why every pawn move is a permanent decision.
Is a bishop better than a knight?
They are both worth about 3 points. Bishops are stronger in open positions with long diagonals; knights are stronger in closed positions with locked pawns.