Question 1

Can you castle out of check in chess?

Accepted Answer

No. You can’t castle while your king is in check, or if it would cross or land on an attacked square. An attacked rook, however, doesn’t stop you castling.

Question 2

What is en passant in chess?

Accepted Answer

En passant lets a pawn capture an enemy pawn that has just moved two squares past it, as if it had moved one. The chance lasts for the very next turn only.

Question 3

How does threefold repetition work in chess?

Accepted Answer

If the same position occurs three times, with the same side to move and the same moves available, the game is drawn. Trindo detects it automatically.

Question 4

What is stalemate in chess?

Accepted Answer

Stalemate is when the player to move is not in check but has no legal move. It is a draw, not a win, so never trap the enemy king without giving check.

Question 5

What can a pawn promote to in chess?

Accepted Answer

A pawn that reaches the far row must become a queen, rook, bishop or knight of its own colour, never a king or a pawn. Most players choose a queen.

Question 6

What is the fifty-move rule in chess?

Accepted Answer

If 50 moves by each player pass with no capture and no pawn move, the game is a draw. Trindo declares it automatically after 100 such half-moves.

Question 7

Which chess endings are drawn for insufficient material?

Accepted Answer

When neither side can possibly checkmate, such as king versus king or king and one bishop or knight versus king, the game is drawn at once.

Chess rules questions