In chess, a pawn is the most basic piece, and it moves forward one square at a time. On its first move, a pawn has the option to advance two squares. Pawns capture opponent pieces diagonally, moving one square forward to the left or right. When a pawn reaches the opposite side of the board, it can be promoted to any other piece, usually a queen. This promotion can significantly change the dynamics of the game, as a pawn can transform into a more powerful piece, enhancing its player's strategic options.