In chess, which is the only piece that moves in an 'L' shape and can jump over other pieces?

In chess, the knight moves in an "L" shape: two squares in one direction (horizontally or vertically) and then one square at a right angle, or one square and then two. It is the only piece that can jump over other pieces, whether they are its own or the opponent's.

Special features of the knight:

• Because of its jumping move, a knight cannot be blocked, so it is very useful in crowded positions.
• Each time a knight moves, it lands on a square of the opposite colour.

A knight in the centre of the board controls up to 8 squares, but a knight in a corner controls only 2. That is why players say "a knight on the rim is dim".

The "knight's tour" is a famous puzzle in which a knight visits every square of the board exactly once.

Each player starts with two knights, placed between the rooks and bishops (on b1 and g1 for White).

In Chaturanga, the ancient Indian ancestor of chess, the knight represented the cavalry (ashva).

How the other pieces move:

• King: one square in any direction; castling is a special move with a rook.
• Queen: any number of squares in any direction (straight or diagonal); the most powerful piece.
• Rook: any number of squares along ranks or files (straight lines).
• Bishop: any number of squares diagonally; each bishop stays on squares of one colour.
• Pawn: moves forward one square (two on its first move) and captures diagonally; it can be promoted on reaching the last rank.
• Relative values (commonly used): pawn 1, knight 3, bishop 3, rook 5, queen 9.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Bishop moves diagonally and cannot jump over pieces.
• ✗Rook moves in straight lines and cannot jump (except during castling, when it moves over the king).
• ✗Queen combines the moves of the rook and bishop but cannot jump.