Basics · Lesson 2 of 12 · 2 min read
How Does the Rook Move in Chess?
By James Dulay · Updated 14 November 2026
The rook moves in straight lines: forward, backward, left or right, as many squares as it likes. It cannot move diagonally and cannot jump over other pieces. It is worth about 5 points.
Try it in 3DHow the rook moves
From any square on an empty board, a rook can reach exactly 14 squares: seven along its rank and seven along its file. It stops when it meets another piece.
If the piece in its way belongs to you, the rook must stop on the square before it. If it belongs to your opponent, the rook can capture it by moving onto its square.
Capturing with the rook
Captures work the same way as moves: the rook lands on the enemy piece's square and removes it. Here the rook on c3 can take the pawn on c6 straight away. Reaching the pawn on f7 takes two moves, for example to f3 and then up the f-file.
Where rooks are strongest
Rooks need open lines. A file with no pawns on it, called an open file, is the ideal home. A rook on the seventh rank, attacking the opponent's pawns from the side, is another classic strong placement.
Two rooks that protect each other on the same rank or file are called connected rooks. Rooks often stay quiet early in the game and come alive in the middle game and endgame.
Interactive lesson
Practise the rook on a 3D board
Pawnorama walks you through this lesson step by step. You make every move yourself, with hints when you need them. Free, no account needed.
Start the lessonCommon questions
Can a rook move diagonally?
No. Rooks move only along ranks and files. Diagonal moves belong to the bishop and the queen.
Can a rook jump over pieces?
No. Only the knight jumps. The rook does hop over the king during castling, but that is a special move of its own.
How much is a rook worth?
About 5 points, more than a knight or bishop (3 each) and less than a queen (9).