How Does the Knight Move in Chess?
Learn how the knight moves in chess, how it captures, how it jumps over pieces, and why the knight is important for beginners.
From the center of the board, the Knight can reach up to eight squares.
How Does the Knight Move in Chess?
The knight is one of the most interesting pieces in chess because it moves differently from every other piece.
The knight moves in an L-shape.
How Does the Knight Move?
A knight moves:
2 squares in one direction + 1 square sideways.
This creates an L-shaped movement.
From the center of the board, a knight can potentially move to 8 different squares.
Easy Way to Remember
Two and one — make an L!
Think of the knight as a horse that jumps across the chessboard.
Can you find the Knight's moves?
The yellow square is the Knight.
The green squares show where it can move.
+ 1 square sideways.
Can the Knight Jump Over Pieces?
Yes!
The knight is the only standard chess piece that can jump over other pieces.
The pieces between the knight and its destination do not block the knight.
However, the knight cannot land on a square occupied by one of its own pieces.
How Does a Knight Capture?
The knight captures exactly the same way it moves.
If an opponent's piece is on a square the knight can reach, the knight can capture it.
For example, from d4 a knight can reach:
b3, b5, c2, c6, e2, e6, f3 and f5.
Can you find the Knight's moves?
The yellow square is the Knight.
The green squares show where it can move.
+ 1 square sideways.
Can the Knight Move Backward?
Yes.
Unlike a pawn, a knight can move forward, backward, left or right, as long as the move creates the correct L-shape.
Why Is the Knight Good in the Center?
A knight can control more squares when it is near the center of the board.
Near the edge of the board, it has fewer possible moves.
Beginners often learn to develop their knights toward the center during the opening.
Common development squares include:
f3, c3, f6 and c6.
The best move always depends on the position.
Common Beginner Mistake
Remember the difference between the pieces:
Bishop → diagonals
Rook → straight lines
Queen → straight lines and diagonals
Knight → L-shape
Knight Fork
A knight fork happens when one knight attacks two or more pieces at the same time.
For example, a knight can sometimes attack the opponent's king and queen simultaneously.
Because the knight moves differently from other pieces, knight forks can be difficult for beginners to spot.
3 Knight Rules to Remember
1. Knight = L-shape
Move 2 squares + 1 square.
2. Knight can jump
Other pieces do not block its path.
3. Knight captures where it lands
An opponent's piece on the destination square can be captured.
Quick Quiz
1. How many squares can a knight potentially reach from the center?
Answer: 8.
2. Can a knight jump over pieces?
Answer: Yes.
3. Can a knight move backward?
Answer: Yes.
4. What shape does a knight make?
Answer: An L-shape.
Learn Chess with Daizen Chess Champs
Learning chess becomes easier when children learn one concept at a time and immediately practice it.
At Daizen Chess Champs, students learn through structured lessons, puzzles, games and guided practice.
Ready to start learning chess?
[BOOK A FREE DEMO CLASS]
Other pieces can be blocked by pieces in their path. The Knight is special — it can jump over them and land directly on its destination square.
2 squares + 1 square = L-shape.
And the Knight can jump over other pieces!
Ready to Learn Chess?
Learn chess through structured lessons, puzzles, games and guided coaching at Daizen Chess Champs.
BOOK A FREE DEMO CLASS