How does the Knight move?

USCF 8E. The Knights move is composed of two different steps. 1st, it makes one step of one single square along the rank or file on which it stands. It does not land on that square, as it's move is not complete. Then, still moving away from the square of departure, it moves one step of one square on a diagonal.

This move is sometimes called an "L" move as it is equivalent to moving the knight two squares vertically, the one square horizontally (or vice versa).

This view thinks of the knight "jumping" over a piece.

How to you visualize the knight as "moving"? 2 steps or L shape?

I was taught by the L shape but now find the 2 step to actually be more precise. I think many players will see the the squares available to the knight (always of the opposite color) and do not think of a "pattern".

RandomBean wrote:

2 Rook moves and 1 bishop move.

or rather 1 rook move of 1 square then a bishop move of one square. Very nice.

personally I just visualize the destination square, much more effective imo since the things you're "jumping over" isn't really affecting your knight at all, so it saves time 

beretm9 wrote:

personally I just visualize the destination square, much more effective imo since the things you're "jumping over" isn't really affecting your knight at all, so it saves time

I agree. The "visualization" of the move is in teaching the move to new players. It becomes ingrained with practice and the destination square is seen. I had always thought of the knight as jumping over pieces. The 2 step approach does not visualize this.  

L shape. But it becomes natural after a while.

Then you need to learn the movement to go to all squares around it.

I was taught the L shape, but then you get used to looking for the pattern of squares it can move to. Not all 8, but 2 or 4 at a time depending on what area of the board is relevant.

Anyway, the one space orthogonal + one space diagonal is how I like to visualize it in blindfold. I agree this makes it much easier.

Great point. Playing blindfold one needs to visulize the destination squares.

I like the FIDE rules explanation, the closest square wich is not in the same file, rank or diagonal.

A good player is defined by their ability to move the..uh...well...the horsey-thing. 

I would say the knight walks- because she walks in beauty, like the knight.

For a King the L square of a knight is as close as the 2nd in diagonal, the one that takes 4 moves for a knight.

"closest square" is a different concept in chess than it is in real life; funny how FIDE explains it.

L shape

Always has been L shape until recently I started seeing the destination squares. I felt like this was an advancement in my chess vision.