How the bishop moves
The bishop moves diagonally, any number of squares as long as the way is clear. It can't jump over other pieces, and it captures the same way it moves. In the middle of the board it reaches 13 squares, in a corner only 7.
One bishop, one color
A diagonal is made up of squares of one color only. So the bishop stays on its color all game: one that starts on a dark square never reaches a light one, and the other way around. Each player has one bishop for the light squares and one for the dark.
On its own, a bishop sees only half the board. Together the two bishops cover all of it, which is why the bishop pair is usually counted as a small advantage in open positions. On the other hand, a bishop can turn bad if your own pawns stand on its color: they block its diagonals, and it can't help protect them.
What is the bishop worth?
About three pawns, the same as a knight. Which one is better depends on the position. The bishop likes an open board with long diagonals. The knight does better in closed positions, where it can jump over the pawns.
Tips
- Open lines for the bishops early. Moving the e-pawn and the d-pawn gives the bishops free diagonals.
- Try a fianchetto: the bishop on g2 or b2, after a small pawn move, aims along the whole long diagonal.
- Put your pawns on the opposite color from your bishop, so it has free roads and can protect them.
- The bishop is good at pins and skewers. Read about the pin and the skewer.
Common mistakes
- Never developing the bishops. A bishop still on c1 or f1 after ten moves does no good.
- Shutting in your own bishop behind pawns on its color.
- Giving up the bishop pair for knights for no reason in an open position.
Try it yourself
Did you know?
- The piece has different names in different languages. In German it is Läufer, runner, and in Swedish löpare, which means the same. In French it is fou, jester, and in Russian slon, elephant.
- The elephant is the oldest name. In the old Arabic game the piece was called al-fil, the elephant, and that is where the Spanish alfil comes from. Back then it could only jump exactly two squares diagonally. Read more in the history of chess.
- King and two bishops, one on each color, can always checkmate a lone king. King and a single bishop never can.
Frequently asked questions
How does the bishop move in chess?
The bishop moves diagonally, any number of squares, as long as the way is clear. It can't jump over other pieces.
Why does the bishop never change color?
A diagonal is made up of squares of one color only. So a bishop that starts on a light square moves only on light squares all game, and the other way around.
What is a bishop worth?
About three pawns, the same as a knight. Two bishops together, the bishop pair, are usually counted as worth a little more than two knights, or a bishop and a knight.
Updated October 28, 2026