Ode to the Knight
What if I told you the knight is actually the MOST valuable piece?
When I was giving a chess class, a student once blurted out in horror that if the knight could move in a big L, the original position would be checkmate.
And that’s why I love this puzzle from Play Like a Champion so much: Yes, that’s a hint.
Solution in footnotes. 1
As I write THINKING SIDEWAYS, I’ve been thinking more about the knight.
The knight is the least valuable piece on the board2.
It’s also literally the most valuable.
I was gifted this knight, from House of Staunton’s Savano set, by Simerdeep Singh Singh, who owns the Classic Art International factory in Amritsar, India.
This knight took a master carver an entire day to make. The pawns and other pieces can be made far more quickly. All but the knight align with their real value on the chess board. Though the exact time per piece varies from set to set, Singh told me the order is usually similar. The pawn is the quickest to make, then the bishop, then the rook, with the king and queen just about tied. The knight is the only anomaly. The more luxurious the chess set, the more intricate the knight’s carvings, and the longer it takes to make.
The knight requires the most time and attention to create: and that is why it’s the most valuable piece.
But if you played with a knight like the Savano, could you ever trade it?
I love those rare chess positions where the knight is the most valuable, especially when they involve under-promotion.
This candidate for 2023 Move of the Year saw White play 41. exf8=N!+ (not 41.exf8=Q?? Rxh2#). The underpromotion creates a rare three knights position.
After 41…Kh8 42.Nfxg6+ Kg8 43. Ne7+ we reach this pretty position:
The knight now reminds me that there are different ways to think about value.
The labor of chess is not just playing, teaching and promoting, but also the labor of making the pieces we play with.
1….Nd3+ 2.Kd5 Nb4+ 3. Ke5 Nc6# This gem is from Miezes-Alexandria, 1989
Bishops may have a tiny edge over knights in classical chess, but in bullet and in time scrambles, knights reign over bishops. I first heard this advice from Hikaru Nakamura: if you are playing vs. a bishop you can put your king on the opposite color so that you won’t get checked. Against a knight that’s not possible.
the knight Chess piece, absolutely stunning!
such a lovely note on Knights!