How the queen moves
The queen moves straight or diagonally, any number of squares, as long as the way is clear. So she moves like a rook and a bishop at once. She can't jump over other pieces, and she captures the same way she moves.
In the middle of the board the queen reaches 27 squares. In a corner she reaches 21, which is still more than any other piece manages from its best square.
What is the queen worth?
The usual rule of thumb says nine pawns. That is more than a rook and a minor piece together, and a little less than two rooks. If you lose the queen without getting anything back, the game is usually lost, which is also why the queen is the piece your opponent most likes to hunt.
Why the queen shouldn't come out too early
The queen is so strong that it is tempting to bring her out at once and start making threats. The trouble is that she becomes a target. Every time your opponent attacks her with a cheaper piece she has to move again, and meanwhile your opponent gets their pieces out. This is called losing time, or losing tempo.
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That doesn't mean the queen should stay on d1 all game. But let the knights and bishops come out first, and bring the queen out when she has something useful to do.
The queen and the fork
Because the queen attacks in eight directions, she is a feared fork weapon: a check that also attacks an unprotected piece often wins material on the spot.
Common mistakes
- Bringing the queen out too early, as in the example above.
- Putting the queen where a pawn or a minor piece can attack her. She has to move, and you lose time.
- Forgetting that the queen can be captured. Before every move, check whether she is attacked, and whether she is protected.
- Chasing pawns with the queen while your king is unsafe and the rest of your pieces are asleep.
Try it yourself
Did you know?
- In the old Persian and Arabic game the queen's forerunner was called fers or firzān, roughly adviser. It could only move one square diagonally. The queen got her present power only at the end of the 15th century. Read more in the history of chess.
- In notation the queen is written Q, as in Qh5.
- You can have several queens at once. A pawn that reaches the last rank may become a new queen, even if the old one is still on the board.
Frequently asked questions
How does the queen move in chess?
The queen moves straight (forward, backward, sideways) or diagonally, any number of squares, as long as the way is clear. She can't jump over other pieces.
Is the queen the most important piece?
No, the king is. The queen is the strongest piece, but you can lose her and play on. If your king is checkmated, the game is over.
How much is the queen worth?
About nine pawns, by the usual rule of thumb. That is more than a rook and a minor piece together.
Can you have two queens?
Yes. When a pawn reaches the last rank it may become a queen, even if the first queen is still on the board.
Updated October 28, 2026
The starting position. Press ▶ or use the arrow keys.