Can the king chess piece move diagonally?

Answered by Edward Huber

The King chess piece can indeed move diagonally! It’s not the most common move for the King, but it can definitely be useful in certain situations.

I remember a game I played a few years ago where I had my King positioned in the middle of the board. My opponent had their Queen on a square diagonal to my King. I needed to be cautious because the Queen could easily capture my King if I wasn’t careful.

Luckily, I had a pawn positioned in front of my King, acting as a shield. I decided to move my King diagonally towards the Queen, taking her by surprise. This move allowed me to put pressure on my opponent’s Queen and force her to retreat.

Moving the King diagonally in this situation was a strategic move to gain control of the board and protect my King from potential threats. It’s important to note that the King can only move one square at a time, so it’s not a speedy piece, but it can still be effective when used wisely.

In addition to capturing the opponent’s pieces, moving the King diagonally can also be helpful when trying to establish a strong position on the board. For example, if there is an open diagonal path, moving the King diagonally can help in connecting the rooks or supporting the advancement of pawns.

While the King’s primary role is to stay safe and avoid being captured, it’s always good to explore different possibilities and take advantage of any opportunity that arises. So, yes, the King chess piece can move diagonally, but it’s important to use this move judiciously and with a clear strategy in mind.