Chessy
How Does the Knight Move in Chess?
The knight moves in an L-shape: two squares in one direction (horizontally or vertically), then one square at a right angle to that — and it is the only piece on the board allowed to jump over other pieces to get there.
The knight's jumping pattern feels strange at first — get comfortable with it by playing free puzzles and games on Chessy.
Play free against the Chessy engine →Why the L-shape trips people up
Unlike a rook or bishop, the knight doesn't slide — it jumps directly to its destination square. That means pieces standing between the knight's start and end square don't matter at all; only the landing square needs to be empty (or hold an enemy piece to capture). This jumping ability is what makes the knight so useful in cramped, blocked positions where other pieces can't move freely.
How many squares can it reach?
From the center of the board, a knight can jump to up to eight different squares. Near the edge or in a corner, that number drops sharply — a knight in the corner can reach only two squares. This is the root of the old chess saying 'a knight on the rim is dim': knights are strongest when centralized.
Knight vs. other pieces
Because it always lands on a square of the opposite color from where it started, a knight needs two moves to return to a square of the same color. This makes it slower to reposition than a bishop, but its jumping ability lets it create forks and threats that sliding pieces simply can't reach.
Frequently asked questions
Can a knight jump over pieces?
Yes — the knight is the only piece in chess that can move over other pieces, friendly or enemy, on its way to its destination square.
How many squares can a knight attack from the center?
Up to eight squares when placed in the middle of the board. That number shrinks near the edges and drops to just two in a corner.
Does a knight always land on a different colored square?
Yes. Every knight move switches the color of square it stands on, alternating light and dark with each jump.
Why is a knight considered weak on the rim?
Because it covers far fewer squares near the edge of the board than in the center, giving it much less influence over the game.