How the Queen Moves in Chess, Explained for Kids

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1a

b

c

d

e

f

g

h

The queen is the most powerful piece in chess. Each player starts with one, standing next to the king, and she is worth about nine points: more than a rook and a bishop together.

How the queen moves

The queen moves like a rook and a bishop combined:

• in a straight line (forwards, backwards or sideways), or
• diagonally,
• any number of squares, until something is in the way.

She cannot jump, and she cannot move like a knight. Placed in the middle of an empty board, a queen can reach 27 squares.

Where she starts: the queen goes on the square of her own colour. The white queen starts on a light square, the black queen on a dark one.

Using the queen well

• Do not bring her out too early. A queen in the middle of the board at the start is easy to chase with knights and bishops, and you lose time running away.
• Watch her safety. Because she is worth so much, losing the queen for a smaller piece usually loses the game. Before every queen move, ask: "Can anything capture her there?"
• She loves teamwork. The queen is at her best together with other pieces, for example for a fork or checkmate.

A player can even get a second queen, through pawn promotion.

For parents

Children love the queen and often use only her. Praise moves with other pieces too, and play mini-games where the queen is missing, so your child learns that every piece matters.