LaviChess

Lesson 10: En passant and promotion

The pawn has two special moves. One of them, en passant, surprises almost every beginner. The other turns a little pawn into a queen.

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En passant is French for “in passing.” If a pawn moves two squares and lands next to your pawn, you may capture it as if it had only moved one square.

Black just played d7–d5. Capture the pawn en passant!

What you'll learn

  • En passant: the capture in passing
  • En passant has to be played at once, or the chance is gone
  • Promotion: a pawn on the last rank becomes a new piece
  • You can have two queens

Lesson 10 of 12 · about 6 minutes · 4 steps. Your progress is kept in this browser, and with your profile if you have one.

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Updated November 6, 2026