Stepsies
For the parent

How the knight moves

Lesson 8 of 20 Age 5+ Time 10 minutes Before this the king

In short

The knight moves in an L: two squares in a straight line, then one square to the side. It is the only piece that can jump over other pieces. It always lands on a square of the other color.

  • A knight is worth about 3 pawns.
  • Knights are great at forks: attacking two pieces at once.
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A knight in the middle can jump to 8 squares.
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The knight jumps over its own pawns.

Teach it

  1. DoPut a white knight on d4.
  2. Say“The knight jumps in an L. Two steps one way, then one step to the side.”
  3. Ask“Count with me: one, two, and turn. Where does it land?”
  4. Child“On f5!”
  5. TipLook at the colors: a knight on a dark square always lands on a light square.
Hand the screen to your child

Your turn!

Hop the knight to the star. Tap the knight, then tap a dot.

Three quick questions

  1. What shape does a knight's move make?

  2. Can a knight jump over pieces?

  3. A knight stands on a light square. Where does it land?

Practice sheet: Knight moves

One page, free to print, no sign-in. The answers print on the next page.

Knight movesName ____________________
  1. a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

    Draw a dot on every square the knight can jump to.

  2. a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

    How many squares can this knight jump to?

  3. a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

    Can the knight capture the pawn?

Answers: Knight moves

  1. d2, f2, c3, g3, c5, g5, d6, f6.
  2. Two: b3 and c2.
  3. Yes: d3 to c5 is an L.

Questions parents ask

How does the knight move in chess?

In an L: two squares forward, backward or to the side, then one square at a right angle. It jumps over any piece in the way.

Can a knight move in a straight line?

No. Every knight move is an L.

Rules checked against FIDE Laws of Chess, taking effect from 1 January 2023 (Article 3.6) on . Found something to fix? Tell us on the contact page.