Any piece that can reach the square can capture it
The queen is captured like any other piece: an enemy piece moves onto the square she occupies, and she is removed from the board. Nothing special is required. The challenge is not the capture itself but getting a chance to make it, because the queen is mobile and her owner will usually move her away from danger.
Which pieces can capture a queen
Yes, a rook can capture a queen, and so can a bishop, knight, pawn, king or another queen. Each captures using its normal movement. A king can only capture a queen that is not protected. For an overview of these movements, see chess pieces: names and how each moves.
Trading queens
The simplest way to “capture” a queen is a trade. If you capture her with your queen on a square where your opponent can recapture, queens come off the board. This is common when a player wants to simplify. Whether it is a good idea depends on the position, for example on king safety and pawn structure (see the chess strategy guide).
Winning the queen: attack with lesser pieces
Because the queen is worth more than any piece except the king, she usually cannot afford to stay on a square attacked by a pawn, knight, bishop or rook that is protected. If you threaten her with a lesser piece, she must move, and she may lose time. If you can attack her in a way that all her available squares are covered, she is lost or must be given up for something smaller.
Forks, pins and skewers
Tactics are the most common way to win a queen:
- Fork: one piece attacks the queen and another target at the same time. Knight forks are especially well known, because a knight attacks in a pattern that is hard to see and is not blocked by pieces in between.
- Pin: if the queen stands between an attacking piece and the king, she cannot legally leave the line. If a less valuable piece attacks her while she is pinned, she may be lost.
- Skewer: a more valuable piece is attacked first and must move, exposing the queen behind it.
- Discovered attack: moving one piece reveals an attack from another on the queen, while the moved piece creates a second threat.
Trapping a queen
A queen can become trapped when she has no safe squares to go to. This most often happens when she ventures deep into enemy territory, or captures a pawn on the edge, and is attacked by a piece she cannot safely capture. Be careful with early queen sorties, since opponents can develop pieces with tempo by threatening her.
Do not grab poisoned pawns
If your opponent offers a pawn that your queen can take, check what happens afterward. Many traps start with a free-looking pawn that leads the queen into a fork, a pin or a lack of retreat squares. Ask before each capture what the opponent’s reply could be, including checks and captures.
Getting a queen back: promotion
“Retrieving” a queen is possible. When a pawn reaches the opposite end of the board, it is promoted and can become a new queen, even if you already have one. This is a common endgame goal. The related pawn rules are covered in the en passant rule and pieces that move diagonally.
FAQ
Can you take someone’s queen? Yes, it is a normal capture.
Can the king take a queen? Only if the queen is undefended; see how the king moves and can the king capture the king for related rules.
How does the queen move? See the piece that can move in any direction.