How the rook moves in chess
The rook moves in straight lines along rows and columns, as far as it likes. Learn how it moves, what blocks it and how it captures. How the pieces move · lesson 2 of 8.
The lesson in words
The rook moves in a straight line: up, down, left or right, as many squares as it likes.
It can’t move diagonally, and it can’t jump over other pieces.
On an empty board the rook on d4 can reach 14 squares.
Try it: Tap every square the rook can move to.
Now there are other pieces in the way. The rook stops before its own pawn on d6, but it can capture the black knight on g4 by moving onto its square.
Try it: Tap every square the rook can move to now.
Your turn to move.
Try it: Capture the black knight with the rook.
The rook is worth about 5 pawns. Next up: the bishop, which moves on the diagonals.