Interactive lesson
Special moves
Three moves trip up almost every beginner. Pick one, read the setup, then press Play the move to watch it happen — and flip the board to see it from either side.
White can castle kingside (written O-O): the king and the h1-rook have not moved yet, and the squares between them are empty and safe.
Castling tucks your king to safety once per game. En passant is a one-time pawn capture available only on the very next move. Promotion turns a pawn that reaches the far side into any piece you choose.
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