Chessy
How Does the Bishop Move in Chess?
The bishop moves any number of squares diagonally, in any direction, as long as the path is clear — and it stays on one color square for the entire game.
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Play free against the Chessy engine →The bishop's diagonal reach
Unlike the rook, which moves in straight lines, the bishop only travels diagonally — but it can go as far as the board and other pieces allow, in a single move. Because every diagonal is made of squares of one color, a bishop that starts on a light square will only ever visit light squares, and the same is true for a dark-squared bishop.
Capturing with the bishop
The bishop captures the same way it moves: it lands on the square of an enemy piece anywhere along its diagonal, as long as nothing blocks the path in between. Like other pieces, it cannot jump over anything — a pawn or piece in the way stops the bishop from going further.
Why two bishops matter
Each side starts with one light-squared and one dark-squared bishop, so together they cover every square on the board. Keeping the bishop pair — both bishops instead of trading one away — is often considered a small but real advantage, since the two bishops complement each other's blind spots.
Frequently asked questions
Can a bishop change the color of square it's on?
No. Since it only moves diagonally, a bishop that starts on a light square stays on light squares forever, and the same applies to dark squares.
Can the bishop jump over other pieces?
No, the bishop's path must be completely clear. Any piece in the way — friendly or enemy — blocks it from moving further along that diagonal.
Is the bishop stronger than the knight?
They're usually considered roughly equal in value, though bishops tend to shine in open positions with long diagonals, while knights prefer closed, blocked positions.