Learn › Unit 1: The board and pieces

The lance

The lance 香車 moves any number of squares straight forwards. It never moves backwards or sideways, and it cannot jump.

The lance on e2 can slide up to e7 and capture Gote's pawn there.ihgfedcba987654321
The lance on e2 can slide up to e7 and capture Gote's pawn there.

Lances start in the corners, guarding their file. Because it can't retreat, a lance is usually kept back until there is something worth firing it at.

Try it

Try it: Move the lance to every square it can reach. Your own pawn on e6 is in the way.

Sente: king g1, lance e2, pawn e6. Gote: king a9.ihgfedcba987654321

Finish the exercise above to complete this lesson.