How to Move a Knight on a Chessboard

Of all the pieces on the chessboard, the knight is the one that takes a little getting used to because it doesn't move in a straight line. Once you get the hang of it, the knight is a useful piece in several chess strategies and can be important in classic chess attacks. Learn how to move it and a few strategies to avoid losing your knight.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Learn the basic movement of the knight, which is an L-shaped move involving three squares. The variations are in Steps 2 and 3.

2. Move the knight one square up, down, left or right. Then move the knight two additional squares at a right angle to the original position.

3. Slide the knight two squares in any direction, as a variation. Again, the knight moves up, down, left or right, never diagonally. Then move the knight one additional square at a right angle to the original position.

4. Capture pieces with the knight by landing on a square and taking the opponent's piece.

5. Jump over pieces that are in your way using the knight's three-square move. The knight is the only chess piece that can jump over other pieces in its path.

6. Take to heart the saying, "A knight on the rim is dim." Putting a knight on any of the four outside rows of the chessboard means the knight is limited to four possible moves, instead of its usual eight. Keep the knight off those rows, if possible.

7. Watch out for the opponent's pawns in the center of the board. Placing your knights in the center of the board with no purpose, and without moving your own pawns to support them, leaves them vulnerable to menacing and irritating advances from the opponent's pawns.

Resources

• U.S. Chess Federation Website for More Resources