Knight Endgame Lessons

The knight is the least useful piece in the endgame because of its limited mobility. A knight often cannot stop two widely-separated enemy pawns as they dash for promotion. A knight can often find itself poorly positioned to stop a nearby pawn. Still, the secrets of endgame knight play are important knowledge for tournament chess players.

Like the bishop, a king and lone knight cannot checkmate an enemy king by themselves. Therefore, a knight in an endgame is most often used to support or hinder the promotion of a pawn. A knight is fully justified in sacrificing itself in the discharge of that duty.

You must be familiar with algebraic notation to benefit from these lessons.

Select a Lesson

• Holding the Win

  Key Learning Objective(s)

  • Knights Hold Pawns from the Rear
    In most positions, a knight holds or defends a winning pawn best from the rear.

• Another Rook-Pawn Exception

  Key Learning Objective(s)

  • The Rook-Pawn Offers the Best Chance of Stalemate
    This lesson demonstrates yet another rook-pawn exception to the secrets of endgame play. Stalemate is often the result, even against overwelming material superiority.

• The Exceptional Knight

  Key Learning Objective(s)

  • A Knight Can Often Hold a Pawn from the Front
    If its king can come to the rescue fast enough, then a knight can often hold a pawn from the front.

• The Wrong Way

  Key Learning Objective(s)

  • A King is Usually Required to Advance a Pawn
    A lone knight is rarely enough to force a pawn's advance. One should use his king to force a pawn's advance.
    
  • Don't Expect Your Opponent to Follow Your Plans
    Chess players are a devious lot.

• The Right Way

  Key Learning Objective(s)

  • Careful Planning is Required
    Expect the unexpected move and plan accordingly.

• A Knight In Defense Part 1

  Key Learning Objective(s)

  • Knights Can Stop A Pawn
    A lone Knight can stop a king and pawn advance.

• A Knight in Defense Part 2

  Key Learning Objective(s)

  • Knights Can Stop Two Pawns
    If two pawns are close to one another, even if the kings are active, then a knight can usually stop their advance.
  • Be Alert!
    One must always be alert in the endgame as well as other phases of a game of chess. This lesson is more difficult than it might appear at first glance because two pawns are very dangerous fellows.

• A Knight In Defense Part 3

  Key Learning Objective(s)

  • Three Pawns Overwelm a King and Knight
    Three pawns are generally more than a match for a king and knight.

• Multiple Pawn & Knight Endgame

  Key Learning Objective(s)

  • More Pawns Do Not Generally Change the Outcome
    The addition of more pawns to a knight endgame complicates matters, but generally does not alter the final score. Again, careful planning is necessary.

• Promotion to a Knight

  Key Learning Objective(s)

  • An Occasional Promotion to Knight is Fun
    Generally, a pawn is promoted to a powerful piece such as a queen, but knight promotion, while somewhat rare, is accasionally the best choice.