How the bishop moves in chess
The bishop moves diagonally, any number of squares, as long as the diagonal is clear. It captures the same way, by landing on an enemy piece.
The rules in short
- A bishop moves only along diagonals, never straight.
- It can go as far as it likes until it meets a piece.
- Each side has two bishops, standing next to the knights at the start.
- A bishop is worth about three pawns, the same as a knight.
Using a bishop well
Bishops want open diagonals. A bishop looking across the whole board from a safe square can be worth more than its three points suggest. Pawns on the same diagonal get in its way, so a bishop often improves when pawns are traded.
Bishops are very good at attacking from a distance, which makes them useful for pinning pieces and for aiming at the enemy king.
A common beginner mistake
Players often leave a bishop in front of its own pawns, where it does nothing. Move a pawn to open a diagonal early, and the bishop comes to life.
Try it on a real board
This lesson is free and needs no account. You move the piece yourself on an interactive board, and it tells you straight away if the move is right.
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