Expert: Chuck Kinzie - 4/25/2008

Question
QUESTION: Is there a time limit when capturing a pawn through en passant?  I've read that you must take the pawn in the move immediately after your movement of the pawn in question.  In other works if a person takes 2-4 seconds to make the en passant move, is this legal?  Thank you.

ANSWER: Hi, Raul!

Good question!  No rule in chess causes more confusion and misunderstanding than the en passant rule.

The answer is:  You must make the capture on the first move that the capture is available, or you forever forfeit the right to make the capture.  But you can take all the time that you want to decide whether or not to make the capture.

Thank you so much for writing, and enjoy your chess!

Your chess friend,

Chuck


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'm reading a book, Chess Basics by Levens and in it he says "...the enemy pawn may capture as if the first pawn has only moved one square.  However, this capture cannot be delayed; the en passant capture must be made immediately, it it is to be made at all."

This seems to indicate that there is a time limit if one wishes to take advantage of the en passant move.

Any thoughts on this?  Thanks again.  

Answer
Hello again, Raul!

The en passant rule can be really confusing!  When Levens says that "the en passant capture must be made immediately", what he means is that it must be made on the current move.  There is no "time limit" on how long you can decide whether or not to make the en passant capture.  You can think about it for two seconds or two minutes, or whatever.  It doesn't matter.

I hope I helped to clarify matters on the most confusing rule in chess!

Thank you again for writing.  I'm delighted to answer any questions that you might have about this great game of chess.

Your chess friend,

Chuck