<p>There is no obvious answer from what research I have done. It was very likely added simply to make the game more interesting.</p>

<p>The en passant rule was then added to make it harder to use the two space rule to avoid getting captured.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-04T15:28:32.683Z
2015-12-04T15:28:32.683Z
Colin D
<p>The reason is history. </p>

<p>At some point in history (between 1200 and 1500 AD in Europe when the old game of Shatranj evolved into Modern Chess), there was a lots of experimenting with different rules in chess, and the double move of the pawn made the game more dynamic and pleasant for the Chess players, therefore it stayed.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-08T10:43:36.907Z
@Chenmunka: See my edit.
Sir Cornflakes
CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-04T08:46:25.123Z
2015-12-08T10:43:12.927Z
2015-12-08T10:43:12.927Z
Sir Cornflakes
<p>That is, what is the actual reasson this was written into the rules?  I'm not very into chess so pardon me if there's an obvious answer.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2015-12-05T13:13:50.913Z
My assumption is that it was done to make the opening of the game faster, developing pieces without spending separate moves just to get the pawns out of the way or into the center of the board
user30903
<chess>
Why can the first pawn move in chess move two spaces?
djvs
# Why can the first pawn move in chess move two spaces?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2015-12-04)

That is, what is the actual reasson this was written into the rules? I'm not very into chess so pardon me if there's an obvious answer.

**Tags:** chess

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: My assumption is that it was done to make the opening of the game faster, developing pieces without spending separate moves just to get the pawns out of the way or into the center of the board  

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## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2015-12-04. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

There is no obvious answer from what research I have done. It was very likely added simply to make the game more interesting.

The en passant rule was then added to make it harder to use the two space rule to avoid getting captured.


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### Answer by username_3 on 2015-12-04. Score: 2

The reason is history.

At some point in history (between 1200 and 1500 AD in Europe when the old game of Shatranj evolved into Modern Chess), there was a lots of experimenting with different rules in chess, and the double move of the pawn made the game more dynamic and pleasant for the Chess players, therefore it stayed.

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: @Chenmunka: See my edit.  

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