How do you set up your knight on the chessboard: "straight ahead" or "profile"?

I went to my first tournament in about 20 years last week.  There were about 100 games going on each round. I couldn't help but notice that some people set their knights sideways, or "profile view", and some people had their knight pointed straight ahead, eyes on the enemy.

Now for me personally, I have my knight pointed straight ahead toward the enemy.  How do all of you position your knight?  Is there a "most proper" way?

On the proper squares. Aside from that, he can face backwards for all I care lol I used to take care to point them straight ahead

sideways...just find it easier to grab for the jump haha as for bishops,the gap always ahead,king always has cross pointing towards the enemy...dont know why that is

I have them facing me because I like to give them a few heart to heart tips on our action plan before I move them.

I just always have them pointed toward the center. Meaning that if I jump from, say, d4 to f5, I'll change it to be pointing the other way. With that said, I don't believe there is any etiquette on this one. Just do as you wish.

I thoght the king knight should face forward and the queen knight should be looking at the king knight. Long ago, in a galaxy far, far away, some players would start with both knights facing towards the king in order to be able to easily keep track of the distinction between QN and KN throughout the game. (It was a descriptive notation thing.)

lol if you are serious...well...guess you learn something new every day

I prefer them profile, and the nose of knight facing inward toward the center of the board..

I say "J'adoube" when I adjust my opponent's knights in the profile position.  They are always delighted to receive my help in adjusting their pieces.  

Interesting diversity in this thread!  On a side note, I didn't know one was allowed to adjust the opponent's pieces as well.  I my last tournament I had an opponent that was sloppy in piece placement.  It was driving me mad

#7  ..   In descriptive notation QN and KN  only meant which side of the board the piece is when moved. I.e Nb1=QN1/white QN8/black   if it goes Nb1-Nc3--Ne4  It becomes QN1-QN3-KN4  changing to king's knight..

I used to set them up straight ahead every move but sometimes I try to distract my opponents by letting my knight point in the opposite direction of where I want it to move to next move

Wonder if it is an indication of personality how you set them? I usually don't even notice and set them in a random position....

There have been players who liked to keep track of QN and KN based on where they were at the start. Doesn't seem very likely that one will find such a player today.

Upside down.

I think in OTB the most important piece to worry about is the Bishop and how it is faced. Never place the Bishop with the "unhappy face" towards your opponent.

OTB chess is only psychological warfare and not about being smart.  

The Knight points straight ahead, comin' right at ya, the Bishop's miter (the slot in the top) goes front to back. 

Do you have a link that can back that up?

That's an interesting question, because for those of us who don't care which way the horse is looking, it could give us an edge over those who are bothered by it and may even disrupt their concentration and cost them time by saying "J'adoube" or "I adjust" or "Adjust" as they turn or center the pieces the way they want for their move.  Maybe I should face my Knights backward - that will really bug them.

I generally place Knights in profile because it's easier to pick them up by the horse's head with my index and middle fingers on one side and my thumb on the other.  If I reach diagonally with my arm and the Knight ends up facing diagonally, that's all good because it's in perfect position to fit my fingers the next time I pick it up.

Yeah you should face the Knights backwards. OTB is all psychological manipulation.

Now Macer had a good idea about turning a piece upside down. Wouldn't it be great if you flipped both of your Rooks over; they won't fall over. There can't be a rule against that.