Rules and Basics
En Passant
Definition
En passant is a special rule where a pawn may capture an opponent pawn that just advanced two squares from its starting position, as if it only advanced one square. Execution must happen on the very next move after the opponent double-advance, or the en passant right is lost.
Usage and Example
Notation: exd6 e.p. (or without e.p. since it is implied by pawn origin column). Common in French Defense and Caro-Kann with symmetric pawn structure on the queen side.
Grandmaster Tier Context
T1 Beginner. The most frequently forgotten rule by beginners. Grandmaster coaches mandatorily test en passant understanding at end of T1 before promoting to T2.