What does en passant mean in chess?

En passant is a special pawn capture that lets you take an enemy pawn that has just moved two squares forward, as if it had moved only one square.

When is en passant allowed?

It is allowed only immediately after an opponent moves a pawn two squares from its starting position and lands next to one of your pawns on an adjacent file.

Can I use en passant on any later move?

No. The capture must be made on the very next move, or the right to capture en passant disappears.

Why is en passant important in chess?

It can prevent a pawn from safely advancing, remove a strong passed pawn, and create tactical opportunities by opening lines and files.

En Passant Chess Puzzles

En passant is a special pawn capture in chess that can happen only when an opposing pawn advances two squares from its starting rank and lands beside your pawn. Your pawn may then capture it as if it had moved only one square, but this right exists only on the very next move. It is one of the few rules in chess that breaks the usual “capture only on the occupied square” idea.

To spot en passant, watch for enemy pawns that make a two-square leap and end up adjacent to one of your pawns on the fifth rank for White or the fourth rank for Black. If the capture is legal, you must usually decide immediately, because waiting one move means the chance is gone. In practical play, en passant can open files, remove a dangerous passed pawn, or create tactical chances, so always check for it before making your move.

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Frequently Asked Questions: en passant

What does en passant mean in chess?: En passant is a special pawn capture that lets you take an enemy pawn that has just moved two squares forward, as if it had moved only one square.
When is en passant allowed?: It is allowed only immediately after an opponent moves a pawn two squares from its starting position and lands next to one of your pawns on an adjacent file.
Can I use en passant on any later move?: No. The capture must be made on the very next move, or the right to capture en passant disappears.
Why is en passant important in chess?: It can prevent a pawn from safely advancing, remove a strong passed pawn, and create tactical opportunities by opening lines and files.