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Getting Out of Check

There are three ways to get out of check. A checked side must use one of them, or the game ends.

Move the king

Black king is on e8 and White rook on e1 gives check. Black moves the king to d8, which the rook does not attack.

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

Capture the checking piece

White queen is on e7 and Black king is on e8. Black king captures the queen on e7, because no White piece defends the queen.

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

Place a piece between

White rook is on e1 and Black king is on e8. Black has a piece that can step onto the e file between rook and king, so the check is answered that way in a full game.

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

Key points

  • Move the king to a square that no enemy piece attacks.
  • Capture the piece that gives check.
  • Place a piece between the checking piece and the king. This works only against long range pieces.
  • A king cannot move into check. A move that leaves the king in check is illegal.
  • If no way works, the position is checkmate and the game is over.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

Black king on e8 is in check from White rook on e1. Which move gets out of check?