Chess rules

Can the king take a piece?

Yes. The king captures like it moves, one square in any direction. But it may only take a piece that nothing defends, because capturing a protected piece would put the king in check. And the two kings can never be next to each other.

The rule

  1. 1The king can capture any enemy piece on a neighbouring square.
  2. 2It may not capture a piece that is protected: that would leave it in check.
  3. 3Capturing the checking piece is one of the three ways out of check.
  4. 4The kings can never stand on neighbouring squares, so a king can never capture the other king.

See it on the board

The rook on e2 gives check, but nothing protects it. The king simply takes it: Kxe2.
The rook on e2 gives check, but nothing protects it. The king simply takes it: Kxe2.
Now the rook on e7 protects the one on e2. Kxe2 would walk into check, so it is illegal. The king has to step aside with Kd1 or Kf1.
Now the rook on e7 protects the one on e2. Kxe2 would walk into check, so it is illegal. The king has to step aside with Kd1 or Kf1.
The kings keep their distance. White cannot play Kc4, Kd4 or Ke4, because each would put the two kings side by side.
The kings keep their distance. White cannot play Kc4, Kd4 or Ke4, because each would put the two kings side by side.

Questions

Can a king capture a queen?

Yes, if the queen is right next to it and nothing protects her. A queen that gives check from a neighbouring square without support can just be taken. With support, it is often checkmate.

Can the king capture while in check?

Yes, as long as the capture gets it out of check: taking the checking piece, or taking something on a safe square. What it cannot do is take a piece and land in check.

Can a king take a king?

Never. That position can not arise, because the kings may not stand next to each other. In chess the king is never actually captured: the game ends with checkmate one move earlier.

Next step

Lesson · 6 minIs my piece safe?The same question for every piece: is it protected? Ask it before every move.
Try it on a boardAll free lessons

Source: FIDE Laws of Chess (effective 1 January 2023), Articles 3.8 and 3.9. Every diagram on this page is checked against the rules by code: how we check.