Expert: Satyajit Das - 10/18/2009

Question
Suppose a black pawn has the opportunity to capture a white pawn en passant, but the black player decides not to exercise the en passant option on his move. Thus, he has lost the chance to do it later in the game. But suppose later in the game that same black pawn has the opportunity to capture a different white pawn en passant. Can that same black pawn that opted not to capture en passant earlier in the game now legally capture a different white pawn en passant?

Answer
Hi Jim,

First of all I am sorry for answering your question late. I had some personal problems due to which I was unable to access internet for a few days.

Thanks for the question.
Your question is very clear and the answer to your question is also very clear.
As per FIDE rules, one pawn (of any color) can exercise the en passant on any pawn (of opposite color only) only once, and that too on the very next move. However if the same pawn encounters with a different pawn (of opposition), it can again enforce the rule of en passant, but only on that particular pawn (and that too only the next move).

In short, YES, according to your question, the same black pawn that opted not to capture en passant earlier in the game now can legally capture a different white pawn en passant.

If you have any further questions, please revert back.

Regards
Satyajit Das (India)