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Check

Check means the king is under attack. The side in check must get out of check on the next move.

Queen gives check

White queen is on d5. It moves to d8 and attacks the Black king on e8, so Black is in check.

FEN: 4k3/8/8/3Q4/8/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1

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

Rook gives check

White rook is on e1. It attacks along the e file, so the Black king on e8 is in check.

FEN: 4k3/8/8/8/8/8/8/4R1K1 b - - 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 . . . . R . K . 1
  a b c d e f g h

Check must be answered

Black king is on e8 and White queen is on e7. Black must move the king, capture the queen, or place a piece between queen and king.

FEN: 4k3/4Q3/8/8/8/8/8/4K3 b - - 0 1

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

Key points

  • Check happens when an enemy piece attacks the king.
  • The king in check cannot be captured. The rules require the checked side to answer the check.
  • Check is announced by a plus sign in notation. The move Qe7+ means the queen moves to e7 and gives check.
  • Check alone does not end the game. The game ends only when check cannot be answered.
  • Giving check can be strong, but it can also waste a move. Check the answer before giving check.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

White queen moves from d5 to d8 against Black king on e8. What is the position?