Chess pieces
How the knight moves
The knight moves in an L shape: two squares in one direction and then one square to the side.
The knight's move, in plain words
The knight moves in an L shape: two squares in one direction and then one square to the side. It is the only piece that can jump over other pieces, so a crowded board never blocks it.
3 points8 squares from the center2 squares from a corner
What to remember
- Knights are strongest near the center, where they reach up to eight squares. In a corner they reach only two.
- A knight always lands on a square of the opposite color from the one it left.
- Look for forks: a knight move that attacks two pieces at once.
Common mistakes
- Leaving a knight on the edge, where it has few moves.
- Forgetting that a knight attacks squares it cannot be blocked from.
- Counting the L as three steps in a line. It is a jump, so pieces in between do not matter.
In Cats vs Dogs Chess
The knight is a Bengal or a Husky
It leaps over the others. Play the 3D game against the computer or a friend, free in your browser.
Play chessPractice with puzzles
The other pieces
Questions
How does a knight move in chess?
Two squares in one direction, then one square at a right angle, like an L. It can jump over any piece.
Can a knight capture?
Yes. It captures by landing on a square with an enemy piece, the same square it can move to.
How many squares can a knight reach?
Up to eight from the center, and only two from a corner square.