How the knight moves in chess
A free lesson from My Chess Family for children learning chess. Read it together, try each question on a real board, or print it out.
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The jump
This is the knight. It looks like a horse.
The knight jumps in an L shape. Two steps one way, then one step to the side.
It can make its L in every direction. Here are all eight jumps.
Try it 1. Point to every square the knight can jump to.
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b5, c6, e6, f5, f3, e2, c2, b3
Try it 2. Jump to the star!
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1 move: Nc3
Try it 3. Now collect all the stars.
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3 moves: Nc3, Ne4, Nf6
Try it 4. Which piece is the knight? A: 
B: 
C: 
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B: the white knight
Over the top
The knight is the only piece that can jump over other pieces.
Try it 5. Jump over your pawns!
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Nc3 or Na3
Try it 6. Jump over the pawns to collect the stars!
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3 moves: Nf3, Ne5, Nd7
Try it 7. New position. Capture the black rook with your knight!
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Nxd5
Brilliant! Next you'll meet the pawn.
Knight practice
Time to practise with the knight!
Try it 8. Jump to collect all the stars.
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3 moves: Nc3, Ne4, Nf6
Try it 9. Get the star in the corner. It takes three jumps!
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3 moves: Nd6, Nf7, Nh8
Try it 10. New position. Point to every square the knight can jump to. It can't land on its own pawn!
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f3, h3
Try it 11. Here's another one. Which piece can the knight catch? Capture it!
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Nxe6
Brilliant jumping!
Next: How the pawn moves in chess
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