In chess, if you're in position with your pawn to take a pawn of your opponent, do you have to take the pawn?

Question

In chess, if you're in position with your pawn to take a pawn of your opponent, do you have to take the pawn?

Answer 1

Not only do you not have to take it, but sometimes there is a positional, tactical or other compensation so great that you might wish you had not taken it - it's refered to as "poisoned". There are several  common "poisoned" pawn lines of play. If you know them, well, you wouldn't want that pawn.

There are also gambits, where a pawn is willingly given up for positional advantage,  or time, and there are two branches for each gambit: accepted (took the pawn) and declined ( left the pawn)

So, it's up to you.

;-)

Answer 2

I don't believe so.

Answer 3

I'm not into torture - I like to make it quick for my victim/boyfriend

Answer 4

No.

Answer 5

You are thinking of one way to play checkers where if you can take a piece you are required to. And no you do not have to take the piece in chess.

Answer 6

No!

Answer 7

no, in chess if you CAN make a move it doesnt mean you HAVE to

the only way you would have to make that move would be if there were no other available moves left

Answer 8

No

Answer 9

No, if your in check it would be illegal if the pawn in any way was not helping put your king in checkmate.  If it was his first move take it but first look at all of his pieces to see if he set a trap.

Answer 10

Nope