Pawns may in fact be the strangest piece on the chess board.
Remember how we learned the rule where pieces Apprehend or capture an enemy piece by moving into the square occupied by the piece?
Well.... there is an exception to this rule, called En Passant.
If a play moves a Pawn 2 spaces forward from their starting square, an opponent's square may capture this Pawn by moving into a square the advancing Pawn passed through on it's way to the 2nd square.
This is best shown with an example. After the White Pawn moves from b2 to b4, passing through b3, Black may capture White's Pawn, now on b4, by playing dxb4!
Notice although the Black Pawn is NOT moving into the square occupied by the White Pawn Black can remove this Pawn from the game.
Looking for En Passant opportunities is important! Players may find a way to get a Pawn further advanced up the chessboard by capturing an enemy Pawn using this En Passant technique.
Here White will capture Black's Pawn playing exd5 moving into the d6 square with their Pawn originally on e5. Now White's Pawn is not obstructed by any Black Pawns and can march towards promotion!
If you missed the lesson about Pawn Promotion click here to read all about it!
Player's can only use an En Passant manuever on the Pawn that has most recently moved.
Here the d5 and f5 Pawn are both to the side of White's e5 Pawn, however White may only capture the d5 Pawn using En Passant for that was the last Pawn Black moved.
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Pawns can only capture a Pawn using En Passant if the Pawn has moved from its starting square. Although the result of d7 to d5 and d6 to d5 look the same the implications for the game are vastly different!
Remember, an En Passant move can only be played a Pawn that has moved 2 spaces forward on their last move.
If White makes a move besides capturing the Pawn after the Pawn has advanced 2 spaces White cannot try an En Passant move on the following turn!
Although White traded a Rook and a Queen for a Queen, not all hope is lost! White can still end up with a material advantage - i.e. White can capture a Black piece and continue the game with an advantage. Can you spot the correct move for White in this position?
Click the image to see how White can win material!
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