GambitDeclined.com - The Chess Resource

The Queen

The Queen is the most powerful piece in the army.

Unlike the King, the Queen can be captured and removed from the board - leaving you without your most formidable piece.

The Queen has the ability to move along any rank or file and also along the diagonals of either colour.

But be warned, don't bring your Queen into the open too soon or you'll find that she'll be on the run from numerous attackers before you know it.

The Queen's Moves

The Starting Positions

White Queen: d4

Black Queen: d8

Moving

The Queen can move in any direction along the ranks, files or the diagonals. If her chosen direction is clear, the only limits on her distance are the edges of the chess board.

The diagram to the left illustrates the maximum possible moves for a Queen, here in open territory.

Captures

The Queen can capture a piece on any square in her line of travel.