How does the knight move in chess?

The knight moves in an L-shape (two squares in one direction, then one square perpendicular) and is the only piece that can jump over other pieces. It always lands on the opposite square color from where it started, making it a uniquely unpredictable attacker.

Hopping in an L-shape over the bishop, the knight can capture all three stars in three moves.

How do you take advantage of a knight's strengths?

The knight's greatest strengths are its ability to jump over pieces, its talent for creating forks, and its power in closed positions. Build your game plan around these three advantages and your knight will punch above its 3-point value.

• Create forks. The fork is the knight's bread and butter. Look for chances to hop your knight to attack two or more enemy pieces simultaneously.
• Thrive in closed positions. When pawns block files and movement of other pieces is limited, your knight gains a huge advantage over enemy bishops and rooks.
• Coordinate your two knights. One knight can protect the other. They can set up double attacks on nearby squares.

The knight forks the black king and rook. The king must move, leaving the rook behind. Engine-verified position, Elo 505.

How do you defend against an opponent's knight?

The best defense against a strong enemy knight is to challenge it with a pawn, trade it off, or deny it good squares.

• Push pawns to challenge it. If an enemy knight lands on a strong square, check whether you can advance a pawn to attack it.
• Trade it off. If your opponent's knight is causing trouble, consider exchanging your own bishop or knight for it. This is especially smart when the enemy knight sits on a powerful outpost you cannot undermine with pawns.
• Keep the position open. Knights are weaker in open positions where long-range pieces like bishops, rooks, and queens dominate. If your opponent has a strong knight, try to open up the position by trading pawns.

See it in action

Example 1: The knight's L-shape

Capture three stars in three moves.

Solution: The white knight leaps two squares forward and one left to capture the first star, then one up, two left for the second, and lastly two down, one right.

Example 2: The knight jumps over pieces

How to capture two stars in two moves?

Solution: The white knight jumps over the bishop one square down and two to the left, landing on a star. Then captures another star two squares down and one to the right.

Example 3: Knight captures in two moves

Capture in two moves.

Solution: The knight leaps over the bishop two squares up, one right to capture the first star. Then one right, two down to capture the second.

Frequently asked questions

Can the knight jump over other pieces?

Yes. The knight is the only piece in chess that can jump over both friendly and enemy pieces.

Why is the knight sometimes called a horse?

Many beginners call the knight "the horse" because the piece looks like a horse's head. The official name in chess is "knight."

Is the knight better than the bishop?

Neither piece is always better. Both are worth 3 points. The knight is stronger in closed positions with blocked pawns. The bishop is stronger in open positions with long diagonals.

How many squares does a knight control?

A knight in the center of the board controls up to 8 squares. On the edge, it controls 3 or 4. In a corner, it controls only 2.

Can a knight move backward?

Yes. The knight can move its L-shape in any direction: forward, backward, left, or right.

What is the knight worth in chess?

The knight is worth 3 points, the same as a bishop. Its value rises sharply in closed positions where it can jump over pawns that block other pieces.