Rooks, Bishops, and Queens

Start Here beginner branch

Sliding pieces move in straight lines or diagonals, but they stop when a piece blocks the road.

Why This Matters

Rooks slide in straight lines. Bishops slide in diagonals.
Queens combine both patterns, so they are the strongest sliding piece.
A sliding piece must stop before a blocker or capture the first enemy piece in its path.

Move rooks on ranks and files.
Move bishops on diagonals.
Explain that queens combine both patterns, but none of these pieces may jump over blockers.

Step 0 of 5

Try to play move 1:(Expected idea from lesson line)

Find the move yourself — the answer stays hidden until you solve it or reveal it.

Practice 1 of 4

The pawn on d2 blocks the long diagonal. Slide the bishop the clear way to b2.

Practice 2 of 4

The rook cannot jump over the pawn on a2. Move it sideways to d1 instead.

Practice 3 of 4

Move the queen straight up the board to d7.

Practice 4 of 4

Now use the queen like a bishop and slide it diagonally to h5.

Play with the rook, bishop, and queen. Before each move, say whether the path is straight or diagonal, and whether any blocker is in the way.

Print one board per step to review the full sequence offline.