Chess Pieces That Move Diagonally: A Complete Guide
The bishop moves exclusively diagonally, but the queen and pawns also move diagonally in specific situations. Here's how each piece uses diagonal movement.
Three chess pieces use diagonal movement: the bishop (exclusively diagonal), the queen (diagonal and straight), and the pawn (diagonal for captures only). Understanding how each piece moves diagonally — and the limits of that movement — is one of the most fundamental skills in chess.
The Bishop: The Pure Diagonal Piece
The bishop is the piece most associated with diagonal movement because it can only move diagonally. Each player starts with two bishops: one on a light square and one on a dark square. They stay on their starting colour for the entire game.
Key rules for the bishop:
- Moves any number of squares diagonally in a straight line.
- Cannot jump over other pieces.
- Always remains on its original colour of square.
- Captures by landing on a square occupied by an opponent’s piece.
Because each bishop is locked to one colour, opponents can sometimes exploit the “wrong-coloured bishop” — a bishop whose colour doesn’t match key pawns or squares in the endgame.
The Queen: Diagonal and More
The queen combines the bishop’s diagonal range with the rook’s straight-line range, making it the most versatile piece on the board.
Diagonal movement for the queen:
- Can move any number of squares diagonally (identical to the bishop).
- Is not restricted to one colour — it changes square colour with every diagonal move.
- Can switch between diagonal and straight-line movement from one turn to the next.
The Pawn: Diagonal Only to Capture
Pawns are the one piece whose diagonal movement is conditional.
Diagonal movement for the pawn:
- Moves forward one square diagonally to capture an opponent’s piece.
- En passant: A special rule where a pawn can capture an adjacent enemy pawn that has just moved two squares forward, as if it had only moved one — the capture is still a one-square diagonal move.
- Cannot move diagonally to an empty square.
Summary Table: Diagonal Movement Rules
| Piece | Can Move Diagonally? | Restriction |
|---|---|---|
| Bishop | Yes — exclusively | Any number of squares; stays one colour |
| Queen | Yes — and straight lines | Any number of squares; no colour lock |
| Pawn | Yes — captures only | One square forward-diagonally; not to empty squares |
| King | Yes — one square | One square in any direction, including diagonal |
| Knight | No — L-shape move | Jumps in an L, not a diagonal line |
| Rook | No | Horizontal and vertical only |
The King: Often Forgotten
The king can also move diagonally — one square in any direction, including diagonally. It’s easy to overlook because the king rarely moves far, but its diagonal step is often critical in king-and-pawn endgames where the king needs to advance on a diagonal to outpace the opponent.
Why Diagonal Movement Matters Strategically
- Two bishops (the “bishop pair”) together cover all squares on the board — a strategic advantage in open positions.
- A bishop is often stronger than a knight in open positions with long diagonals; the knight tends to be better in closed positions.
- Recognising diagonal lines of attack (diagonals controlled by an opponent’s bishop or queen) is essential for avoiding discovered checks and pins.
Quick summary: The bishop moves only diagonally (any number of squares, same colour). The queen moves diagonally and in straight lines. The pawn moves diagonally only to capture. The king can move one square diagonally. Knights and rooks do not use diagonal movement.
Frequently asked questions
Which chess piece can only move diagonally?+
The bishop is the only piece restricted exclusively to diagonal movement. It always stays on the colour of square it starts on and can move any number of squares diagonally in one move.
Can a pawn move diagonally?+
A pawn moves diagonally only to capture — it moves one square diagonally forward to take an opponent's piece, including en passant captures. It cannot move diagonally to an empty square.
Does the queen move diagonally?+
Yes. The queen is the most powerful piece partly because it can move diagonally (like a bishop) as well as horizontally and vertically (like a rook), any number of squares in a straight line.