En passant
The pawn capture in passing
Try this lesson in Chess40Step 1
A special pawn capture: when a pawn steps two squares and lands beside an enemy pawn, that pawn may capture it as if it had moved only one square.
Step 2
Black plays d7–d5, passing the white pawn; White captures en passant, landing on d6.
The moves: 1… d5 2. exd6
Step 3
Black has just played d7–d5. White to play: capture en passant.
White to move.
Show the answer
Solution: 2. exd6
Step 4
When may a pawn be captured en passant?
- Only on the very next move, right after it stepped two squares
- At any time later
- Only with a knight
Show the answer
Answer: Only on the very next move, right after it stepped two squares