Yes, the king can capture the queen in chess under specific conditions.
Understanding King and Queen Interactions
In chess, the king and queen are powerful pieces, but their interactions are governed by the rules of the game. Here's a breakdown:
- King's Movement: The king can move one square in any direction.
- Queen's Movement: The queen can move any number of squares horizontally, vertically, or diagonally.
- Capture: A piece can be captured if another piece moves to its square, removing it from the board.
When Can a King Capture a Queen?
According to the reference material provided, a king can capture a queen if the queen is not defended by another piece. Here's a closer look at the scenarios:
- Undefended Queen: If the queen is on a square where no other opposing piece is protecting it, the king can move to that square and capture the queen.
- Defended Queen: If the queen is protected by another piece or a pawn, the king cannot move to capture it because that would put the king in check, which is an illegal move in chess.
Example Scenarios
Here's a simple example:
| Scenario | King Capture? | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Undefended Queen | Yes | The king is free to move onto the square occupied by the undefended queen, and thereby capture it. |
| Defended Queen | No | Moving to capture the queen would place the king under attack from another piece, creating a check, so the move is prohibited. |
Key Takeaway
The king can capture the queen when the queen is not under the protection of another piece or pawn. It is important to remember that the king cannot move into check, so if capturing the queen will result in the king being in check, the king cannot capture it.
