What Is Check in Chess? Explained for Kids

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A king is in check when an enemy piece is attacking it: if it were any other piece, it could be captured on the next move. Many players say "check" out loud when they give one. It is not required, but it is polite and helps beginners notice.

Three ways to get out of check

A king in check must get out of it on the very next move. There are exactly three ways:

1. Move the king to a square that is not attacked.
2. Block the attack by putting one of your pieces in between. This does not work against a knight, which jumps, or a pawn, which attacks from the next square.
3. Capture the piece that is giving check.

If none of the three works, it is checkmate and the game is over.

Rules children forget

• You may never put your own king in check, for example by moving a piece that was shielding it. A move like that is not allowed.
• You cannot ignore a check, even to make a great attack somewhere else.
• Two pieces can give check at once. That is called a double check, and then the only way out is to move the king.

Is giving check always good?

No. A check forces the other player to answer, which is useful, but a check that achieves nothing can drive the king to a safer square. Strong players ask: "What happens after my check?"

For parents

When your child is in check, ask them to say the three ways out loud (move, block, capture) and check each one. After a few games it becomes automatic.