En passant is absolutely legal in tournaments according to the official rules of chess. En passant is a special pawn capture that can occur under specific circumstances during a game. It is a unique move that can be quite surprising for both players and spectators.
En passant is derived from the French phrase meaning “in passing,” which aptly describes the nature of this move. It allows a pawn to capture an opponent’s pawn “in passing” as if the opponent had only moved that pawn one square instead of two. This can only occur when an opponent moves a pawn two squares forward from its starting position, and the capturing pawn is on its fifth rank.
The purpose of en passant is to prevent pawns from bypassing each other without any interaction. It adds an additional layer of complexity to pawn dynamics and can significantly impact the strategic considerations of a game. By allowing pawns to capture each other “in passing,” the rule ensures that pawn structure remains important and encourages players to carefully consider their pawn moves.
En passant can sometimes be a surprising move for players who are not familiar with the rule. I remember playing a tournament game where my opponent moved their pawn two squares forward, and I had the opportunity to capture it en passant. It caught them off guard, and they had to adjust their plans accordingly. It was a memorable moment that showcased the importance of being aware of all the rules of chess, even the less commonly used ones.
In tournaments, en passant is subject to the same rules and regulations as any other move. It is not considered an illegal or unfair move in any way. Players are expected to be familiar with all the rules of chess, including en passant, and should be prepared to utilize or defend against it during their games.
To summarize, en passant is a legal move in tournaments according to the official rules of chess. It adds an interesting twist to pawn dynamics and can have a significant impact on the strategic considerations of a game. Players should be aware of this rule and be prepared to use or defend against en passant during their tournament games.