Lesson 4 Knights and Pawns

Knights are found at their starting squares on b1, b8, g1, and g8. See Diagram 14. Knights are unusual pieces. They can jump over other pieces. When they land, the square color should be different from the one in which they came. Their move is in the shape of an "L" (See Diagram 15). Squares that the Knight can leap to are b1, d1, a2, e2, e4, a4, b5, and d5. Knights have a point value of 3 that makes them equal with Bishops. But, like the other pieces, when a Knight captures a man of the opposite color, he must take the place of the piece on the square in which it rested.

            Diagram 14          Diagram 15        

Pawns start off at the second and seventh rank. They are worth 1 point each. There are eight Pawns for each color. Pawns move straight ahead. They cannot move backwards. They typically move one square at a time. But, each Pawn on its first move can go forward two squares. Looking at Diagram 16, you can see that the "a" Pawn can move either to a6 or a5 on his first move. But the "g" Pawn can only move one square to g4. When capturing, Pawns can only move one square to a forward diagonal. Looking at Diagram 17, White’s "d" Pawn can capture the Knight at c6 or e6. He can also move forward to d6. Both "g" Pawns are stuck. Neither can move forward. But both still attack the squares diagonal of them. White’s Pawn attacks f5 and h5. Black’s Pawn attacks f4 and h4.

         Diagram 16          Diagram 17         

There is one other important fact to know about Pawns. Once they reach the last rank in their travels, they are promoted to whatever piece that you may want. Typically, the choice is a Queen. But, depending on the position, it could be different. Diagram 18 shows a position with it being White’s move. He plays "h8Q." Black in turn plays "a1Q." Now, if you observe Diagram 19, you will see a new position with Queens who one move earlier were Pawns. Because they had survived their journey without capture, they were promoted to the level most required of the position.

             Diagram 18        Diagram 19