How the bishop moves in chess
A free lesson from My Chess Family for children learning chess. Read it together, try each question on a real board, or print it out.
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Slanted lines
This is a bishop. It has a pointy hat.
The bishop moves on slanted lines, as far as it likes.
Try it 1. Point to every square the bishop can move to.
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c5, b6, a7, e5, f6, g7, h8, e3, f2, g1, c3, b2, a1
Here's a new position. Look! A bishop always stays on squares of the same colour.
Try it 2. Move the bishop to collect the star!
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1 move: Bh6
Try it 3. Now collect all the stars. Can you do it in 3 moves?
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3 moves: Ba3, Bd6, Bh2
Try it 4. Which piece is the bishop? A: 
B: 
C: 
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B: the white bishop
Catch with the bishop
Try it 5. Capture the black knight!
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Bxf6
Try it 6. New position. There are two black pieces. Capture the one your bishop can reach.
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Bxg5
Here's a new position. Pieces can get in the way. A bishop can't jump over them.
Try it 7. Which piece can the bishop catch? Capture it!
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Bxd4
Well done! Next you'll meet the queen.
Bishop practice
Time to practise with the bishop!
Try it 8. Collect both stars!
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2 moves: Bh6, Bf8
Try it 9. Can this bishop ever reach the lit-up square? A: YesB: No
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B: No
That's right. A bishop on a dark square stays on dark squares, all game long.
Try it 10. New position. Which piece can the bishop catch? Capture it!
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Bxg6
Try it 11. Here's another one. The rook is hiding behind a pawn. What can your bishop catch?
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Bxd4
Try it 12. Collect all the stars. The pawn is in the way!
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3 moves: Bxd3, Ba6, Bc8
Super bishop moves! Remember, the bishop goes on the slant, and it can't jump over pieces.
Next: How the queen moves in chess
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