What Is Check in Chess?
Learn one of the most important chess rules in under a minute. Discover what check means, how to recognize it, and the three basic ways a player can respond.
A king is in check when an opponent's piece is attacking it. The player must respond immediately by moving the king, capturing the attacking piece, or blocking the attack when possible.
What Does “Check” Mean in Chess?
In chess, the king is never allowed to remain under attack . When an opponent's piece attacks the king, we say the king is in check .
Check can come from different pieces, including a rook, bishop, queen, knight, or pawn. Once your king is in check, you cannot simply make another move. You must first remove the threat.
♜ The King Is Under Attack
Look at the position. The black rook is attacking the white king along the same file.
That means the white king is in check . White must now make a legal move that removes the attack.
Remember: You can never make a move that leaves your own king in check.
How Can You Get Out of Check?
When your king is in check, there are three basic ways to respond.
Move the King
Move your king to a safe square that is not attacked.
Capture the Attacker
If legal, capture the piece that is giving check.
Block the Attack
If the checking piece attacks from a distance, another piece may be able to block the line.
Can Every Check Be Blocked?
No. Blocking works only against a line attack from pieces such as a rook, bishop, or queen.
A knight's attack, for example, cannot be blocked because a knight jumps directly to its destination square. In that situation, the player must move the king or capture the attacking piece if possible.
What Should You Do When Your King Is in Check?
Imagine your opponent has just checked your king. Before making your next move, ask yourself:
Can my king move to a safe square?
Can I capture the checking piece?
Can I block the attack?
“Your king can never stay in check.”
One common beginner mistake is overlooking an opponent's threat before making a move. If you want to improve your ability to spot these mistakes, read our guide on common chess mistakes .
Quick Takeaways
The king is currently being attacked.
You must remove the threat with a legal move.
Never leave your own king in check.
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