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Queen

A queen moves like a rook and a bishop combined. A queen moves any number of squares in any straight direction.

Queen from its starting square

White queen is on d1. After the pawn on d2 moves, the queen can move along the d file or diagonally.

FEN: rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 r n b q k b n r 8
7 p p p p p p p p 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 P P P P P P P P 2
1 R N B Q K B N R 1
  a b c d e f g h

Queen captures diagonally

White queen is on d5. Black pawn is on h5. White may capture on h5, because h5 lies on the same rank.

FEN: 4k3/8/8/3Q3p/8/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1

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

Queen in the center

White queen is on e5. It can move along the e file, the fifth rank, and both diagonals through e5.

FEN: k7/8/8/4Q3/8/8/8/4K3 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

Key points

  • A queen moves along files, ranks, and diagonals.
  • A queen cannot jump over other pieces. A piece in its path stops the queen.
  • The queen is the strongest piece on the board. Its value is covered in the piece values lesson.
  • A queen captures by landing on an enemy piece.
  • A queen in the center can reach many squares in every direction.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

After 1. d4 d5, White queen is on d1. Which queen move is legal?