How the queen 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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The strongest piece
This is the queen. She is the strongest piece.
The queen moves like a rook and a bishop together. Straight or slanted, as far as she likes.
Try it 1. New position. Point to every square the queen can move to. Your pawns are in the way!
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c5, b6, a7, d5, e5, e4, e3, f2, g1, d3, d2, d1, c3, c4
Try it 2. Collect all the stars. Can you do it in 3 moves?
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3 moves: Qa8, Qh8, Qh1
Try it 3. Which piece is the queen? A: 
B: 
C: 
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B: the white queen
Catch with the queen
Try it 4. Capture the black rook!
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Qxd7
Try it 5. New position. Capture the black knight!
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Qxg7
Try it 6. Here's another one. Which piece can the queen catch? Capture it!
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Qxh7
The queen is very strong, so look after her! Next you'll meet the king.
Queen practice
Time to practise with the queen!
Try it 7. Collect all the stars. The queen goes straight or slanted!
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3 moves: Qa4, Qh4, Qd8
Try it 8. New position. Only one piece has no friend guarding it. Catch that one!
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Qxb1
Try it 9. Collect the stars. The bishops are in the way!
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3 moves: Qa8, Qxd8, Qh8
Here's a new position. The queen is strong, but she can be caught too. This queen has gone next to a black pawn.
The pawn catches her! Always check your queen is safe before you move her.
Try it 10. Here's another one. The pawn guards the knight. Catch the piece that is safe to catch!
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Qxg4
Well done! You caught the bishop, and your queen is safe.
Next: How the king moves in chess
Learn with the whole family
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