The

King K A PieceTakers Mini-lesson Level: Beginner

Here is how the King is represented on

board diagrams.
The King is the most
valuable piece.

Kk
In fact, the primary
objective of chess is
to win your opponents
King

White King Black King

The King can move diagonally, up/down, The King captures opposing pieces by
or right/left just one square a move. moving to the space occupied by the piece.
"########$!
"########$!"########$! %!,!,m,!,&!
8
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8
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7
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7
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6
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5
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5
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4
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4
%,!,l,!,!&!
3
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3
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2
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2
%,u,!,!,!&!
1
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1
0))))))))*!
a b c d e f g h
0))))))))*!
a b c d e f g h 0))))))))*!
a b c d e f g h
Here the white King can capture only the
However the King cannot jump over any
circled pieces.
pieces in the way.

It is illegal to move your king where it can be

Starting Position: The King starts next to the
captured.
queen on the color opposite its own.
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8 "########$!
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7
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8
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6
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7
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5
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4 %!,!,!,!,&!
6
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3 %,!,!,!,!&!
5
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2 %!,!,!,!,&!
4
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1 %,!,!,!,!&!
3
0))))))))*!
a b c d e f g h
%qQqQqQqQ&!
2

So in the above example, note how the kings %SoCrLcOs&!

1
cannot move next to each other. 0))))))))*!
a b c d e f g h

copyright 2006 C R Beach