En Passant and Castling:
En Passant
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En Passant means "in passing". It is a special capturing move for pawns
under certain conditions.
When a pawn is on its fifth rank, an opposing pawn on its starting square
can move 2 spaces to its fourth rank, comming along side of the first pawn.
This is the instance which allows for the possibility of an en passant
capture.
The en passant move is for the pawn which is on its fifth rank to then
capture the pawn anyway, moving to the square which would have been occupied
had the pawn only moved one square instead of two.
Note that pawns may only capture other pawns in this manner, and only if the
pawn has advanced 2 spaces in one move. There is one additional stipulation
to capturing en passant, it can only be done on the following move. If the
rule is not taken advantage of immediatly, the opportunity passes.
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Castling
Castling is a special move which the king has using one of his rooks. When
castling, the king is moved 2 spaces on the back row, towards the outside of
the board and the rook on that side is placed on the inboard side of the king.
This is one move.
Notice that the resulting position is slightly different depending on whether
the king castles kingside (0-0) or queenside (0-0-0).
There are three conditions which must be met before a king can castle.
- CLEAR PATH - There cannot be any pieces between the king and the rook used.
- SAFE PATH - The king must not be in check, or travel over a square which
would put the king in check; all the squares the king touches must be safe.
- FIRST MOVE - Castling must be the first move for both the king and the rook
used.
Note that this is a king move, not a rook move. In tournament play (and
computer programs), you must move the king first.
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