An example of thoughtless use of the En Passant move in Chess: If you’re tired of serious studies while mastering chess, we offer to check this video. It provides a great opportunity to learn a useful lesson for beginners. Meanwhile, you can have some fun and relax without actually stopping to educate yourself.
Chess setup in the video
As we start watching it, we can see the endgame exposed to us. Obviously, a lot of pieces have been exchanged. Many other moves are already done. As a result, Black is up in the material. Compared to the opponent, the player has an extra rook and a bishop.
White’s king Kh1 sits in the corner of the board with zero protection. There are just a couple of pawns in front of it: h2, g2. Black also has a strong positional advantage, not allowing the king to move. The threat comes from a bishop Bc5 that is covered by a queen Qb6. On the other hand, Black’s king Kg8 is also in a dangerous and very open position.
The climax of the dramatic action
The next move by Black is quite smart – f5. Even Stockfish approves it to be the best choice in the given situation. It lures White into executing en passant by means of exposing a pawn. It’s a perfect opportunity to show off with this special move. But White is also just one step away from checkmating the opponent with a queen – Qh7.
Of course, White can’t help but take en passant the rival’s sacrificed pawn: f6 e.p.. Thus, it opens the file for Black’s rook to reach the side of the board. And there we can witness a lonely king getting a checkmate.
What are White’s excuses for such foolish behavior? Well, “Not every day you can get an en passant”. Or “It’s not about winning, it’s about sending a message”. And, finally, “En passant is just too cool of a move”.
What can we learn from it?
For those who aren’t sure what en passant is, here’s a quick reminder. One pawn can attack the other if this piece landed on the adjacent square from either side. But it also should have moved two spaces from its initial place. The opponent’s next move is the only moment when this special rule is applicable.
Now, what’s the idea behind the video? We should say, en passant is considered quite a fancy move, especially among beginners. And here a player is provided a choice. One option is to make a reasonable decision and win the game. Another option is an opportunity to play a rare, advanced move and lose. What would be your choice?
Wise people learn from others’ mistakes. So we can draw a conclusion that nothing should prevent us from winning. You better be careful with your desire to parade the knowledge of chess rules. It may lead to idiotic situations where you actually present yourself as a bad player.
FAQ on the use of the En Passant move in chess
- Learn the theory first, then get to playing as much as possible.
- Analyze your opponent’s and your own behavior.
- Remember the mistakes made and avoid repeating them.
- Try something new once in a while.
- Listen to the advice of more experienced players.
- Read chess books and be patient.
