Lastly, en passant is the only move that can give double-check without the moving piece delivering one of the checks.īefore the modern rule became universal in the mid-1800s, debates occurred about its proper form in those regions where en passant captures were allowed. Thus, some combinations that rely on an 'in-between' move may not work when an en passant capture is involved. Additionally, it's the only move possible for just one turn, after which it becomes impossible. For starters, it's the only way a pawn can attack an opposing pawn, without having a reciprocating attack possible for that opposing pawn.

f5.Ĭapturing en passant brought with it some unique features. Without the en passant rule in early 19th century Italy, opening theory was much different after 3. f5 without the threat of immediate capture. The rule difference had its effect on opening theory for example, in Italy after 1. The move was present in England and its surrounding regions, while capturing en passant was not allowed in Italy and Germany. In his book The Famous Game of Chesse-Play in 1614, Arthur Saul wrote that a pawn had to have the 'leave' of the enemy king to pass, without clarifying what was meant by such 'leave.”īy the early 19th century, two variants existed that either allowed, or disallowed, the en passant capture. Some regions simply did not allow the two-square move at all, if it meant passing an opposing pawn others would not allow the move while defending a check. The point of contention was if a pawn could use this two-square move to bypass the control of an opposing pawn, and various local rules resulted over the centuries. As early as 1200 A.D., pawns have been able to move forward two squares forward on their initial move.

En passant chess