Moves You Cannot Play

Part of the Fundamentals section of Coddy's Chess journey. Lesson 24 of 46.

Some moves look normal but are not allowed, and one rule explains them all: no move may leave your own king in check. That rule forbids stepping onto an attacked square, putting the kings side by side, and moving a pinned piece.

Try it yourselfBeginner

Position 1 of 6

WatchThree squares the king cannot use.

The starting position.

0 / 2

All 6 positions

All lessons in Fundamentals

1The Board

Meet the Board Files and Ranks Naming Squares Setting Up Recap: The Board

4The King and the Pawn

The King The Pawn Pawn Captures The First Double Step Recap: King and Pawn

7Special Moves

Castling When You Cannot Castle Promotion En Passant Recap: Special Moves

2The Sliding Pieces

The Rook The Bishop The Queen Blocked Paths Recap: Sliding Pieces

5Captures and Check

How Captures Work What Pieces Are Worth Check Three Ways OutMoves You Cannot PlayRecap: Check

8Writing Moves Down

Reading Moves Takes, Check and Mate Which Knight?Reading a Game Recap: Written Moves

3The Knight

The Knight's Jump Jumping Over Pieces Knights on the Rim Recap: The Knight

6Checkmate and Draws

Checkmate The Back Rank Mate With Two Rooks Stalemate Other Draws Recap: Checkmate

9Your First Game

Control the Centre Get Your Pieces Out Castle Early The Scholar's Mate Project: The Opening