Final answer:
Chess pawns have unique rules and characteristics such as promotion, the ability to move two spaces forward on their first move, and the ability to capture diagonally. They also take part in special moves like 'en passant' and are the most numerous pieces for each player with eight on each side at the start of the game.
Step-by-step explanation:
The game of chess is fascinating not just because of its strategic depth but also because of the unique characteristics and history of its pieces.
For instance, the pawn, symbolizing infantry, has several special rules: it can be promoted to a more powerful piece such as a queen once it reaches the opposite end of the board; it can move two spaces forward on its first move; and uniquely, it captures diagonally rather than moving straightforward. Moreover, there are eight pawns at the start of each game for each player.
An advanced move called en passant involves a pawn capturing another pawn in a special circumstance after the other pawn advances two squares. Although the pawn is seen as the weakest piece due to its limited movement, it plays a crucial role in the strategy of the game. The other pieces mentioned in the question include the rook, which is shaped like a castle, and moves in straight lines forming a "+" shape on an empty board. The strongest piece, referred to in the question, is the queen, capable of moving in any straight line direction. In contrast, the pawn, unlike any other piece on the board, cannot move backward.