The knight's secret: two steps and a turn

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, which is why it often surprises grown-ups too.

Say it out loud: two steps and a turn

Have your child put a finger on the knight and count: "one, two, turn". Two squares forward, backward, left or right, then one square sideways. Saying it while moving is much easier than trying to picture the L.

The colour trick

Every time a knight moves, it lands on the opposite colour. A knight on a white square always jumps to a dark square, and the other way round. Children can use this to check a move: if the knight landed on the same colour, something went wrong.

Why the knight is special

• It is the only piece that can jump over others.
• A check from a knight cannot be blocked. The king must move or the knight must be captured.
• In the middle of the board a knight can reach eight squares. In a corner it can reach only two, which is why knights like the centre.

Mini-game: put a knight on one square and a sweet on another. How many jumps does it take to reach the sweet? Kids pick up the pattern fast when there is a reward at the end.