As you come to understand the game of chess, you will realize that this is not an easily answerable question. From a novice’s standpoint, the Queen is the most powerful piece on the board because she can threaten the most squares (a result of her mobility). But this also makes her an easy piece to threaten. In the hands of a thoughtful chess player, even a pawn can be deadly. Each piece on the board has its own unique qualities, making each piece dangerous in its own right.\r