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How do pawns move in chess?

A pawn moves straight forward one square. On its very first move it may go two squares instead. It takes diagonally: one square forward to the left or right.

A pawn never moves backwards, and it cannot take straight ahead: a piece directly in front of it blocks it.

Two special pawn rules come later: promotion (reaching the last row) and en passant.

Try it

♟♙

Move the pawn to every circled square (g5) in as few moves as you can.

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‹ How does the king move in chess? · Pawn promotion in chess: what happens when a pawn reaches the end? ›

Every position here is a lesson from the course, checked by its rules engine. Part of Chess Path, a free chess course. Free coach for your Chess.com and Lichess games.