How the knight moves in chess
The knight moves in an L shape and is the only chess piece that can jump over others. Practise its moves on a real board. How the pieces move · lesson 5 of 8.
The lesson in words
The knight moves in an L shape: two squares in one direction, then one square to the side.
It’s the only piece that can jump over other pieces, and it always lands on the opposite colour.
From the centre a knight has 8 squares to choose from.
Try it: Tap every square the knight can jump to.
Because it jumps, a knight can move at the very start of the game, over its own pawns.
Try it: Tap every square the knight on g1 can jump to.
Knights are sneaky because their attacks don’t follow straight lines.
Try it: Capture the rook with your knight.
The knight is worth about 3 pawns, like a bishop. Next: the king.