Questions tagged [knights]
Questions relating to the Knight
95
questions
1
vote
1answer
68 views
Knight Moves Around the Board [duplicate]
It is well known that a lone knight can move all around the board covering each square once and only once. Is this possible when the lone knight starts only on certain squares ? How many unique ...
2
votes
3answers
144 views
Knights on c3 & f3, bishops on d3 & e3 - what is this called, and is it sound?
Sometimes when opening I fall into this odd rut of developing knights to C3 and F3, and bishops to D3 and E3. (Or, as black, C6, F6, D6 and E6). For instance, the position after 7.Be3:
[FEN "&...
14
votes
3answers
4k views
How to move knights so that black moves first?
From move 0, what shortest-possible sequence of moves could be played so that the pieces are arranged exactly as standard board setup (with allowed swapping of same-color knights), but it is black's ...
3
votes
1answer
510 views
Why is Ne4 considered as an inaccuracy whereas it is one of very few moves which saves d3 pawn?
[FEN "r2q1rk1/1p3ppp/p4n2/2Pp4/1Pn5/P1Bp3P/3N2P1/R2QN2K b - - 4 21"]
With Black to move Ne4 is not even in top 5 moves and engine says its an inaccuracy. I know it considers fastest winning ...
5
votes
2answers
606 views
I am trying to understand chess moves
Hi I am trying to learn chess, and when I review my moves, I just don't understand how Nd4 is a good move and how nh4 is a blunder.
Thanks.
1
vote
0answers
47 views
Is there a term for the position where two knights support one another? [duplicate]
Is there a term for the position where two knights support one another? I thought I might have seen such a term somewhere, but now I can't find it.
3
votes
4answers
1k views
Non-Standard Knight Development
From its starting square, a knight has 3 legal moves: The “standard” one (c3, f3, c6, f6), the “weird” one (a3, h3, a6, h6) and the “other” one (d2, e2, d7, e7).
In my games, I almost always do the ...
5
votes
4answers
372 views
Having knightmares, what to do?
I just hate when my opponent has the knights because most of my blunders happen due to them. I generally like endgames where my opponent doesn't have the knight. I also hate when the Knight enters my ...
10
votes
2answers
3k views
Maximum number of knights populating a chess board so that no knights are attacking one another
The 8 queen's puzzle is a well-known puzzle involving placing 8 queens on a chessboard so that no queen attacks another queen. It is more or less obvious that 8 is the maximum number of queens that ...
-3
votes
1answer
64 views
King and Three Knights v/s King in end game [duplicate]
Is it possible to checkmate with Three Knights and King v/s King in end game?
If yes, is this possible within 50 moves?
If no, Why?
0
votes
0answers
38 views
Two Knights checkmate [duplicate]
Even though there are positions on the chess board with two knights checkmate by bringing the king in the corner, why it is not possible to checkmate the King?
Is it difficult to bring the opponent ...
2
votes
2answers
188 views
Bird's opening problems
I've played the reversed Leningrad Dutch for some time, and I have the problem that when I play Nd2, Black forks my rook and queen on f6->g4->e3. I never get to push my e-pawn before Black forks ...
3
votes
2answers
271 views
Rook+Knight Endgame-Play For Checkmate?
I found myself in this position as Black during a recent endgame situation with White to move.
[FEN "8/7k/2R4p/2p3p1/2N2p2/P4PnP/1P2r1K1/8 w - - 4 43"]
What is a good way to approach ...
6
votes
1answer
530 views
Why pin knights early in the opening?
I am a beginner amateur player, and I have been thinking about openings. On lots of occasions the opponent pins the white knight on Nc3 or Nf3 (as black) or the black knight on Nc6/Nf6. What is the ...
7
votes
5answers
1k views
Why is Ne2 better than Nf3?
I played Nf3 for attacking on king side which is about to castle having some plans to make a battery in future after castling but I feel Ne2 is making a block for Re1 at some point. Any suggestions?
[...
11
votes
3answers
2k views
Good Knight Against Bad Bishop Endgame - A More Constructive Plan?
I reached the position below in a recent tournament game
[Event "Recent Tournament"]
[Site "Deepest, Darkest Oxfordshire"]
[Date "Feb 2020"]
[White "Ian Bush"]
[Black "A Young Victim"]
[Result "1-0"]
...
18
votes
6answers
7k views
What is a “monster knight”?
I was watching an agadmator video explaining a game between two chess engines, and at one point in the video after a knight move, agadmator talks about how that knight then became "basically a monster ...
18
votes
12answers
7k views
Why does a knight combine better with the queen than a bishop does?
From this question, the couple queen + knight is strong in attacking the opponent's king.
I searched why the knight combines better than the bishop with a queen, and all I could find, from this ...
9
votes
4answers
3k views
Chess.com insufficient material draw
I played a game at chess.com and the endgame was KNN vs KP. When the pawn was captured, the server automatically give a draw due to "insufficient material". I am confused about chess.com's ...
13
votes
7answers
3k views
Arrange 5 non-attacking knights on a 5x5 toroidal board
The celebrated British mathematician and lover of public transport, Simon Norton, was one of those who passed in 2019. He was the subject of a wonderful biography and one of my favourite human beings: ...
2
votes
1answer
155 views
Games with two knight promotions in them
Games with two knight promotions are extremely rare, but a few have existed. In an article of his, Tim Krabbe stated that, about the game Zurakhov - Koblentz, "This is one in only 5 games with two ...
2
votes
1answer
214 views
Knight promotion percentages
Knight promotion is the second most common promotion. Most of the time it is to give an otherwise undeliverable check. But it doesn’t always come with check. Statistically speaking, what percentage of ...
3
votes
2answers
221 views
List of numerous possible reasons to promote to a knight
While this asks for a reason/any reason in general, I wish to make a list of numerous posssible unique reasons.
I already have an exhaustive list of my own. Are there any more possible reasons out ...
1
vote
1answer
237 views
Is there any game where AlphaZero wins against Stockfish thanks to a knight pair?
I have seen some of the games that were published in the match between AlphaZero and Stockfish.
In many games, as when it beats Stockfish as black playing the Berlin Defense, AlphaZero appears to ...
1
vote
2answers
352 views
A question regarding “The Horse Concoction”
Long ago in 2000, Tim Krabbe presented, a now classic, problem by Harry Goldsteen in his article “The Horse Concoction” on his site. It has blossomed across the Internet, as some of us know.
The task'...
13
votes
3answers
4k views
A case where Bishop for knight isn't a good trade
I have played recently a game. In the position below Stockfish is saying that Nxe6 is a mistake and Rad1 is suggested but I'm having a hard time figuring out why. Can someone provide some insights ? ...
3
votes
2answers
362 views
How many different knight's tours are there?
How many solutions does the Knight’s Tour puzzle have when the knight first moves from square a1, through all squares (on each square once), and return back to a1? Please give some solutions. Also, ...
8
votes
2answers
303 views
Is this the only opening that allows one side to end up with three knights?
In Queen's Gambit Declined, Albin counter-gambit, Lasker trap, black ended up with three knights, which should be rare. Here white should not capture the additional knight in the next move (8. Rxg1 ...
-4
votes
1answer
185 views
What is the total number of KNN vs K checkmate positions?
What is the total number of KNN vs. K checkmate positions? Assume that White is checkmating.
Firstly the Black king must be mated on a corner. It is impossible to do it on the edge. The calculations ...
5
votes
1answer
569 views
What are the shortest possible games with a) 20 Bishops, b) 20 Knights, and c) 20 Rooks?
The fastest way to get to 18 queens is known. But what are the shortest possible games with a) 20 Bishops, b) 20 Knights, and c) 20 Rooks?
Here are my own attempts. Can anybody find/create a faster ...
2
votes
2answers
159 views
Setting up the knights [closed]
When playing chess on a physical board, which way should the knights face? Sideways (as in chess diagrams) or straight ahead? If there is nothing in the rules about this, how do the professionals ...
13
votes
1answer
4k views
What is the least number of knights needed to cover the entire board?
I’ve seen the solutions to the lowest amount of queens, bishops, and rooks are needed to cover an entire board, as in they can attack all squares and are the only type of piece on the board. What is ...
8
votes
6answers
2k views
At what playing strength level should one be able to mate with King Bishop and Knight vs King?
As in title above, at what playing strength level should one be able to mate with King, Bishop and Knight vs King without much effort (with reasonable time left for the game)?
0
votes
3answers
343 views
Is it better to move a pawn or knight first? [closed]
As stated in the title, I have always wondered whether it is better to move a pawn or knight first. Which one makes you generally more likely to win?
3
votes
4answers
296 views
What should a chess beginner do with his/her knights after 2. Nf3 or 2. Nc3?
Let us suppose I am a chess beginner. I often lose my games. Well, it depends on the opponent but generally I can hardly win. My problem is I do not know what I should do with my knights.
Usually ...
7
votes
3answers
5k views
Can a King and Queen mate a King and Knight or is this a drawn game?
White has a King and a Queen.
Black has a King and a Knight.
It is White's move. Can White win or is this ending a draw?
25
votes
3answers
6k views
How to describe two knights defending each other?
How to describe two knights defending each other?
Linked knights?
Doubled knights?
In Chinese Chess, two 马 (horse/knight)s protecting one another is quite common, and there is a standard ...
2
votes
5answers
535 views
Why is it necessary for black to defend e5 pawn after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3?
Why is it necessary for black to defend the e5 pawn after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3? What do you think of 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 a6 3. Nxe5 d6? Now white should move his knight to c4, d3 or f3 and black can develop ...
26
votes
1answer
8k views
Can a knight move through all squares from its original position?
I'm so confused about this. I googled it and read about knight's tours, however they all start from illegitimate positions. I want to know if a knight can move through all squares from its original ...
7
votes
2answers
670 views
Checkmating the bare king with 3 knights – can the mate be forced on any edge square?
In the case where White has King and 3 Knights, and Black has just the bare King, it is known that White can force checkmate. But can White in fact pick any edge square in advance, and force the ...
3
votes
3answers
265 views
What should be White’s move here in which each side has just a king and a knight?
[FEN "8/8/8/2k2N2/2n1K3/8/8/8 w - - 0 1"]
Is this position a draw?
3
votes
2answers
457 views
Longest forced win with just a Knight or Bishop
A single knight or bishop usually isn't enough to force checkmate. However, I know there are certain positions where the defending side has his king in front of a rook pawn where a win can be forced.
...
14
votes
3answers
3k views
How to decide when is a3/h3 needed?
a3/h3 are frequently used to prevent the bishops from pinning the knights.
I always have a hard time deciding whether to play them or not. Playing them loses moves and tempo while not playing can ...
2
votes
1answer
351 views
Why is exposing my queen for capture better in this position (According to computer analysis)?
In one my of my game, the following position appeared (me white):
Computer analysis says that I should have played Nf3 (exposing my queen being captured by the bishop). In the proposed scenario by ...
2
votes
1answer
370 views
The Black knight challenge
[FEN "8/8/8/8/8/pNnbPPpN/RBppPbrP/pkKPrqQR b - - 0 1"]
I was introduced to a challenge a few weeks ago with the above position. The challenge is to move the Black Knight such that it must ...
1
vote
3answers
180 views
Can this knight move level the game?
As clearly black cannot trap the white queen for longer. So, won't Nxd4 be the best move in this scenario? Letting the queen escape and take a piece for his lost rook. Nxd4 will be followed by either ...
4
votes
2answers
237 views
What are some techniques for BvN endgames?
Let's say all the pawns are on one side of the board, either left, middle or right. (If there were two pawn groups far from each other, I imagine the Bishop would be much better than the Knight.)
So ...
6
votes
2answers
652 views
Is checkmate possible in knight vs knight pawnless endgame?
I see plenty of information stating that a Knight and King vs a King is a Draw because a mating position is not possible. I also see that it IS possible, no matter how unlikely, to acquire a mating ...
5
votes
2answers
297 views
Q+N in attacking K
I've always been told that Q and N are very strong in attacking K. Could someone show me some real GM games where Q+N attack decides the game? (where at the end of the aggression, the attacking side ...
2
votes
2answers
160 views
Why did Shirov not trade bishop for knight in this position to play against doubled, isolated b-pawns?
In The wisest things ever said about chess by GM Soltis, he quotes this about tempi and gives the following example:
Tempi should not be counted but weighed.
[FEN "r2q1rk1/pp1b1nb1/n2p1pp1/3Pp2p/...
