Worksheet: Capturing and Check
Topic: basics | Level: 1
Most captures follow a piece's normal move pattern, while pawns are special because they move forward but capture diagonally forward; check means the king is under attack right now.
Why This Matters
- Most pieces capture by using the same move pattern they normally use, except the destination square has an enemy piece on it.
- Pawns are special: they move straight forward, but they capture one square diagonally forward.
- The square a piece attacks is important even if no piece is standing there yet.
- Check is special because a king under attack must be rescued on the very next move.
Practice Tasks
- Write a short definition of a capture.
- Write a short definition of check.
- For each practice position, say whether the winning move was mainly a capture, a check, or both.
Board Evolution (One Step per Board)
Step 0: Starting Position
Practice Positions
Find each move on paper, then check the Answer Key at the end.
Practice 1
Capture the knight on e5 with your queen. The capture also gives check.
Practice 2
Move onto the enemy knight's square and capture it safely.
Practice 3
Find the rook move that checks the black king.
Mini-Game
Play a few moves and say out loud when you are capturing something or giving check. If neither happens, say "quiet move."
Answer Key
- A capture is when you move onto a square occupied by an enemy piece and remove it from the board.
- Check means the king is being attacked right now and must be dealt with immediately.
- Practice 1 is both a capture and a check. Practice 2 is a capture. Practice 3 is a check.
Practice Position Solutions
- Practice 1: Qxe5+ — The queen lands on the enemy piece's square, removes it, and attacks the king down the e-file.
- Practice 2: Qxa5 — Capturing means taking the enemy piece off the board by moving onto its square.
- Practice 3: Re4+ — A king is in check when an enemy piece attacks its square. The rook on e4 attacks e8 in a straight line.