Rook
A rook moves in straight lines. A rook moves any number of squares along a file or a rank.
Rook from its starting square
White rook is on a1. It may move along the a file or along the first rank.
FEN: 4k3/8/8/8/8/8/8/R3K3 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 R . . . K . . . 1
a b c d e f g hRook captures along a rank
White rook is on a5. Black pawn is on e5. White may capture on e5, because e5 lies on the same rank.
FEN: 4k3/8/8/R3p3/8/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1
a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 R . . . p . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . K . . . 1
a b c d e f g hRook on an open file
White rook is on e1. No pawn stands on the e file, so the rook can move far along that file.
FEN: k7/8/8/8/8/8/8/4R1K1 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 . . . . R . K . 1
a b c d e f g hKey points
- A rook moves along files and ranks. A rook never moves diagonally.
- A rook cannot jump over other pieces. A piece in its path stops the rook.
- A rook on an open file can reach many squares. An open file is a file with no pawns on it.
- A rook captures by landing on an enemy piece.
- Rooks work well together on the same file or rank.
Try it Yourself
Edit the code, then press Run.
Running is simulated · Rust Playground
Exercise
White rook is on a1. Which move is legal?