Chess pieces
How the queen moves
The queen moves any number of squares in a straight line, along a rank, a file or a diagonal.
The queen's move, in plain words
The queen moves any number of squares in a straight line, along a rank, a file or a diagonal. She combines the rook and the bishop, and she is the strongest piece on the board.
9 points27 squares from the center21 squares from a corner
What to remember
- Do not bring the queen out too early; she can be chased by smaller pieces.
- The queen alone can often give a quick check, but she needs help to give checkmate.
- A queen next to the enemy king, protected by another piece, is often mate.
Common mistakes
- Trading the queen for less than nine points of material.
- Moving the queen to the same square where a pawn or knight can attack it.
- Using the queen to capture a defended pawn.
In Cats vs Dogs Chess
The queen is a Siamese or a Doberman
It blinks across the board. Play the 3D game against the computer or a friend, free in your browser.
Play chessPractice with puzzles
The other pieces
Questions
How does the queen move?
Any number of squares in a straight line in any of the eight directions, as long as nothing is in the way.
How much is the queen worth?
About nine pawns, the most of any piece except the king, which cannot be traded.
Where does the queen start?
On her own color: the white queen on a light square (d1) and the black queen on a dark square (d8).