The queen in chess: a rook and a bishop in one

The queen is the strongest piece in chess: it combines the moves of the rook and the bishop, so it travels straight and diagonally any distance, and that is why it is valued at nine points.

In short: the queen moves like a rook and a bishop together — along ranks, files and diagonals, any number of free squares. From the centre it controls twenty-seven squares. It is worth 9 points, more than any other piece. Beware, beginners: bringing the queen out early looks threatening, but it is easily chased away with tempo.

How the queen moves

The queen unites two pieces in one: it moves like a rook — along ranks and files — and like a bishop, along diagonals. In each of these directions it slides any number of free squares. From the centre that gives twenty-seven squares, more than any other piece.

Queen or king — which is stronger?

The queen is by far the more powerful mover, but the king is the one you cannot lose — its checkmate ends the game, while the queen can be traded like any other piece. Strength and importance are two different things.

Strongest, but not to be developed too early

Though the queen is strongest, bringing it out in the first moves is a classic mistake. The opponent develops pieces while attacking the queen with tempo, and you lose time running away. Even Scholar's mate works only if the defence errs — with correct play an early queen hurts you.

Where a second queen comes from

A second, or even a further queen can be gained by promoting a pawn that reaches the last rank. We describe it on the page about the pawn.

How does the queen differ from a "king's" piece?

The queen is a movable piece worth 9; the king is priceless because its checkmate ends the game.

How does the queen move?

Straight and diagonally, any number of free squares.

Can you have two queens?

Yes, by promoting a pawn — in theory up to nine.

The queen is one of six pieces — see them together in the guide to chess pieces, and meet its two halves separately: rook and bishop.

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