The Rook can move any number of squares in a horizontal or vertical straight line as illustrated in the figure below, but the Rook may not jump over a piece of either color. The destination square has to be empty or occupied by an opponent's piece in which case this piece is captured.

In the castling moves in which two pieces are moved at the same time both the King as well as the Rook are involved as we will see in one of the next lessons.

One final remark about the possibility to move a Rook (or any other piece): A move may never result in a placement of the own King in check.



Next lesson: the Bishop.