En Passant Question?

If the opposing player has moved a pawn all the way to my THIRD rank and I move a pawn in an adjoining file out to the FOURTH with its initial move, can he take me en passant?

Is en passant only available with the opposing pawn on the fourth rank?

Yep, mate. Only from the fourth.



It's by far the most confusing rule in chess.

Only on the fourth rank. The thing is that the rule that you can move your pawn 2 squares is introduced to make the game a bit quicker, but without introducing the en passant the game would be a bit different. Before the 2 squares move for pawns was introduced it wasn't possible to move by a pawn without giving your opponent the choice to take it. With this new rule, you could do that. That's why they introduced the en passant rule. So the en passant rule can only be made if the pawn is in fourth rank.
I hope I explained it well, and I am not absolutely sure about the history thing, but I think it happened this way.

Originally posted by tejo
Only on the fourth rank. The thing is that the rule that you can move your pawn 2 squares is introduced to make the game a bit quicker, but without introducing the en passant the game would be a bit different. Before the 2 squares move for pawns was introduced it wasn't possible to move by a pawn without giving your opponent the choice to take it. With this ne ...[text shortened]... it well, and I am not absolutely sure about the history thing, but I think it happened this way.

yes, damn. I shouldn't try to explain it. You are right. A quick answer is better than a good one😉😛

Thanks gents, I found a better move regardless, but I was considering it for a bit and wanted to be clear as to whether I was risking my little guy.

-g