Why a rook can't jump over other pieces
A rook, a bishop or a queen stops when it meets another piece. It cannot pass through it or jump over it. The only piece that can jump is the knight.
The rules in short
- A long range piece captures the first enemy piece on its line, never one behind it.
- It cannot land on a square occupied by one of your own pieces.
- A piece standing in the way blocks an attack, which is how you defend against rooks, bishops and queens.
- Before you move a rook, trace its path square by square to check it is clear.
Why this matters in real games
Beginners often think a rook is attacking a piece that is actually hidden behind another one. Counting what is really in the line, not what you can see on the far side of the board, is the habit that stops you blundering.
Blocking is also a defence. If a queen is attacking your king along a line, putting a piece between them can be the answer, and a piece that cannot be taken is the best blocker.
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.
Start this lesson · Next: How the bishop moves in chess · All chess lessons · How chess works on Waddle