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The knight

The knight jumps in an L-shape and is the only piece that can leap over others. Learn its move and why it hates the corner.

Beginner5 min

The L-shaped jump

The knight moves in an L: two squares in one direction, then one square to the side. From d4 it can land on any of the eight circled squares. Notice that it always lands on a square of the opposite color to the one it started on.

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Jumping over pieces

The knight is the only piece that can jump. Pieces in between do not block it; only the landing square matters. That is why a knight can move on the very first turn, hopping right over its own pawns.

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Knights hate corners

A knight in the corner reaches only two squares, compared with eight in the center. Players say a knight on the rim is dim. Keep your knights near the middle of the board, where they control the most squares.

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Catch the intruder

Your turn

Black's rook has invaded your second rank. Capture it with the knight.

Show the answer

Knight to d2 takes the rook. Black's rook was attacking your pawns, and now it's gone.

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Which capture is free?

Your turn

Your knight can capture the bishop on c5 or the pawn on f6. Take the free one.

Show the answer

The bishop had no defender, so you won a piece. On f6 your knight would have been taken by the g7 pawn.

Which capture is free? abcdefgh12345678

Quick check

Question

Which of these is true about the knight?

  • It can jump over other pieces
  • It is strongest in the corner
  • It moves in a straight line
Show the answer

It can jump over other pieces

The knight is the only piece that jumps. Only its landing square has to be free of your own pieces.

More in Rules

Castling Castling moves the king and a rook in one turn, tucking the king away and bringing the rook into play. Learn how and when you may castle. En passant A special pawn capture: when an enemy pawn rushes two squares past yours, you may take it as if it had moved only one. Learn when it's allowed. Check and checkmate When your king is attacked you must save it. Learn the three ways out of check, and how to give a checkmate that ends the game. Stalemate If your opponent has no legal move and is not in check, the game is a draw. Learn to avoid this trap when you are winning. Promotion A pawn that reaches the last rank turns into a queen, rook, bishop or knight. Learn how promotion works and why the queen is usually the choice.