The King, as the name denotes, is the most important piece on the board,
inasmuch as the object of the game is to capture the King. It is, however,
never actually "taken," the game ending whenever (the opposing player
having the move) the King {339} remains liable to capture. The King may
move from any square upon which it stands to any adjoining square not
occupied by any piece or pawn of its own colour. If one of such adjoining
squares is occupied by an undefended piece or pawn of the opposite colour,
it may take such piece or pawn.
An additional privilege of the King ("castling") will be explained in its
proper place.