The flying king, or dama, moves any number of empty squares in a straight line — forward, backward, or sideways along rows and columns. Unlike an ordinary man, the king is not limited to one square and can travel from one side of the board to the other in a single move, as long as the path is clear. It still moves only in straight orthogonal lines, never diagonally. This long range makes the king extremely mobile and dangerous, since it can reposition quickly and threaten distant pieces. Promoting a man into a flying king is often the turning point of a game.