Bishop

A bishop moves diagonally. A bishop stays on squares of one colour for the whole game.

Bishop from its starting square

White bishop is on c1. Its diagonal is open toward h6, so it may move along that diagonal.

FEN: 4k3/8/8/8/8/8/8/2B1K3 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . B . K . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

Bishop captures diagonally

White bishop is on c4. Black pawn is on f7. White may capture on f7, because f7 lies on the same diagonal.

FEN: 4k3/5p2/8/8/2B5/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . p . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . B . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . K . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

Bishop on the long diagonal

White bishop is on g2. Its long diagonal runs from g2 to a8, and no piece stands on that diagonal.

FEN: 4k3/8/8/8/8/8/6B1/7K w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . B . 2
1 . . . . . . . K 1
  a b c d e f g h

Key points

A bishop moves any number of squares diagonally.
A bishop cannot jump over other pieces. A piece in its path stops the bishop.
A bishop that starts on a light square always stays on light squares.
A bishop that starts on a dark square always stays on dark squares.
Each side starts with one light squared bishop and one dark squared bishop.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

White bishop is on c1 with an open diagonal. Which move is legal?

Bh6 Bg2 Be2 Bd2