The knight’s unusual movement pattern lets it leap over pieces , create unexpected threats, and deliver some of the most unpredictable tactics in the game.

Here’s everything you need to use your knights to your advantage!

In this post:

Chess 101: the knight

How the knight moves

Tactics with the knight

Strategy tips for the knight

Knights vs. bishops

The exchange

Do’s and don’ts for the knight

The knight is instantly recognizable on a chess board—it’s the piece shaped like a horse’s head! Each player starts with two knights on the first row of the board, between each rook and bishop.

What’s especially interesting about the knight is that its movement pattern remains unchanged over centuries.…