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The Knights: Mr. “L”

A Knight is worth 3 pawns or 3 dollars..

The knight is probably the hardest piece to learn. It is unique in that it is the only jumping piece and its move is in the shape of the letter “L”.

In the above diagram, the white knight can move from e5 to f7 capturing the black pawn. Notice how the move is in the shape of an “L”. A Knight is capable of moving in an “L” shape in any direction. For instance any of the black pawns can be taken. Remember, when any piece makes a capture it replaces the piece it is capturing by landing on it. (Teacher's note: For K-2 I suggest trying the saying “One, two, land on you” to help show how a knight moves in an “L” shape.)

 

In the next diagram the white Knight again can take any of the Black Pawns. An Arrow shows the Knight taking the Pawn on f7.

You will notice the Knight is jumping over the Bishop to capture the pawn. Regardless of the color of the piece that stands in his way the Knight simply jumps over it to the desired square.

Knights are very powerful when they are in the middle of the board. The white Knight on e5 controls 8 squares and is much stronger than the Black Knight on f3 who controls only 4 squares. "A Knight in the middle is fit as a fiddle, a Knight on the rim.....very dim."

Knight Practice: The Knight' s Tour