Basics · Lesson 8 of 12 · 2 min read
What Is Check in Chess? Three Ways to Escape
By James Dulay · Updated 14 November 2026
A king is in check when an enemy piece attacks it. The player in check must get out of it on their very next move. There are exactly three ways to do that: move the king, block the attack, or capture the attacking piece.
Try it in 3DWhat check looks like
Here the white rook attacks the black king along the open e-file. Black is in check and must respond to it before doing anything else.
Way 1: move the king
Step the king to a square that is not attacked. Moving along the same line as the attacker does not help: the king has to leave the line of fire.
Way 2: block the attack
Put one of your pieces between the attacker and your king. Blocking works against rooks, bishops and queens. It cannot work against a knight, because the knight jumps, or against a pawn, because it attacks from right next to the king.
Way 3: capture the attacker
If you can take the piece giving check, the threat disappears, and you often win material as well. The king can capture too, as long as the attacker is not protected.
You may never make a move that leaves your own king in check. If you are in check and none of the three ways works, it is checkmate and the game is over.
Interactive lesson
Practise check 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
Do you have to say "check"?
No. Announcing check is a friendly habit in casual games, but the official rules do not require it.
Can you castle out of check?
No. Castling is not allowed while your king is in check.
Is giving check always a good idea?
No. A check is only useful if it improves your position. A pointless check can push the enemy king to a safer square.