How the knight moves
Count two squares horizontally or vertically, then one square at a right angle. Or one square, then two. Both describe the same L-shaped jump, and it is a single move. A knight in the centre can reach up to eight squares; one in a corner reaches only two.
The knight jumps straight to its destination. Pieces in between, of either colour, do not matter. The only thing that stops a knight move is a friendly piece already standing on the landing square.
How the knight captures
A knight captures by landing on a square occupied by an enemy piece, exactly as it moves. It takes the piece on the landing square only, not anything it jumps over.
Because a knight always changes square colour, a knight on a light square attacks only dark squares, and the reverse. That makes knight moves hard to see coming, which is why knights are the classic forking piece.
How to use your knights well
Knights are short-range pieces, so they need to be close to the action. Develop them early, usually to f3 and c3 for White or f6 and c6 for Black, where they control the centre. A knight on the edge controls half as many squares, which is where the saying "a knight on the rim is dim" comes from.
The best home for a knight is an outpost: a square in or near the enemy half that no enemy pawn can attack. A knight on d5 or e5 supported by a pawn can dominate a game. Knights are also excellent in closed positions with locked pawn chains, where long-range pieces have fewer open lines.
Common mistakes
- Moving knights to the edge of the board, where they control few squares and are easily trapped.
- Overlooking enemy knight forks, especially on squares like c7, f7, c2 and f2.
- Moving the same knight several times in the opening instead of developing other pieces.
Questions about the knight
Can a knight jump over pieces?
Yes. The knight is the only piece that jumps over other pieces, of either colour. Only a friendly piece on the landing square stops it.
Can a knight move in a straight line?
No. Every knight move is an L shape: two squares in one direction and one square at a right angle.
How many squares can a knight move to?
Up to eight from the centre of the board, four from the middle of an edge, and only two from a corner.
Is a knight worth the same as a bishop?
Roughly, both are worth about three points. Knights tend to be better in closed positions and bishops in open ones.
Practise every piece on a live board in the rules of chess.