Check

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Example of a check - the black King is threatened by the white Queen.

Check is a situation in chess and other chess-like games that describes a king that is threatened by another piece. It is illegal for a king to move into check in the official international rule, which is why the game ends in a draw if there are only two kings, since they can't check each other. It is also illegal for a king to castle to escape check, end up in check, or encounter check while castling. If the king is in check and cannot:

1. capture the threatening piece with its pieces (but the king cannot capture if the opponent threatening piece is defended)
2. put a piece between the king and the threatening piece (blocking)
3. move the king to a square that is safe for it

it's checkmate, which ends the game. The player who has the captured king loses and their opponent wins. Find out more at Checkmate.

Video

Chess Move Types Check