How the knight moves in chess
How to play chess
How does the knight move in chess?
The knight moves in an L shape: two squares in one direction and then one square sideways. It is the only piece that can jump over other pieces, which makes it tricky and very useful in crowded positions.
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The green dots show where the piece can go; a green frame is a capture.
The rules
- Move two squares straight (along a row or column), then one square at a right angle. Or one square straight and two at a right angle.
- The knight jumps over any piece, yours or the enemy's, and only lands on the square it ends on.
- It captures by landing on an enemy piece.
- A knight on a central square can reach eight squares; on the edge, only four, and in a corner only two. A knight is worth about three pawns.
Common mistakes
- Moving the knight in a straight line or diagonally.
- Leaving the knight on the edge of the board, where it has few moves.
Remember
An L shape, and the only piece that can jump. Knights love the centre.
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