Knight: a practical example
From d4, a knight can reach b3, b5, c2, c6, e2, e6, f3, and f5, provided the destination is not occupied by a friendly piece. Unlike bishops and rooks, its route cannot be blocked by a piece between start and finish.
How to use the idea in your games
Look for knight forks whenever important enemy pieces stand a knight's move from the same square. Central placement generally offers more possible destinations than an edge square.
A useful study question
Can you explain knight in your own words, identify it in a position, and describe when the idea does not apply? Test the explanation on a legal board before relying on it.
Connect the ideas
Fork, Outpost, Center are useful next concepts. Follow the links to compare definitions and examples, then return to the complete chess glossary whenever an unfamiliar term appears.
Sources & further reading
References checked September 5, 2026. Linked services are independent of ChessRankings.com™.