The Knight Chess Piece is Exceptional

Marble Chess Board

Just as the Queens moves are extraordinary, the Knight's moves are exceptional. No other chess piece can move the way a Knight can move.

Remember a Queen moves only in one direction and is unlimited in her distance except by another chess piece being in her way. She can not jump over any chess piece and has to stop when a chess piece is in her way.

A Knight can move in 2 opposite directional patterns in one move. He is exceptional in that he can move in a way that no other chess piece can move in. He can be used in a marvelous way because of this characteristic.

To understand this concept I had to remember how a Knight is used in war. Remember the role of a Knight in the round table of Medieval Times and remember Robin Hood and all his men. I remember reading the story of William Wallace and was very impressed with his manly characteristics of chivalry.

Vertical movements

Horizontal movements

The Knight in chess always moves 3 squares. He has a pattern that no other chess piece has and he can potentially make 8 different moves from one square. He can use the entire board in a game.

Remember the Queen, the Rook, the Bishop and the King can only move in one direction within each move. The exceptional Knight always moves two directions in one move. He is the only chess piece that can do that.

Possible Moves a Knight May Move

Follow the possible moves a Knight may make from the diagram below. The "X" marks the places a Knight may end up after his move.  The "X's" form a diamond shape all around the Knight.

The Knight always moves 2 squares first, and then one square. The Knight's moves can be described in two different ways:

1. He can move 2 squares up or down and then one square right or left. 
2. Or he can move 2 squares right or left and then one square up or down. 

Remember this and note it: if the Knight starts out on a white square, he will end up on a black square. Of course, the reverse is true also. If the Knight starts out on a black square, he will end up on a white square. It makes an easy check to make sure the Knight moved correctly. 

King, Queen, Bishop, Knight,
Rook, Pawn

For more information refer to the initial way a chess board set up looks and learn how to play chess.

marblechessboard.com