description Knightmate Overview
Knightmate is a chess variant created by Bruce Zimov in 1972 and also known as Mate the Knight. It exchanges the royal role of the orthodox king with a knight: a royal knight begins on the king's usual square, while non-royal pieces that move like kings begin on the usual knight squares. Players win by checkmating the royal knight, and the commoner king-like pieces may be captured.
help Knightmate FAQ
What is the main rule change in Knightmate?
Knightmate makes the knight the royal piece instead of the orthodox king. The royal knight begins on the king's usual starting square, while the king-moving non-royal piece begins on the usual knight square.
Who created Knightmate?
Knightmate was created by Bruce Zimov in 1972. The variant is also known as Mate the Knight.
How can a player win in Knightmate?
The objective is to checkmate the royal knight, because that piece carries the royal status normally assigned to the king. Ordinary king-like pieces are non-royal and can be captured without ending the game.
Is Knightmate the same as orthodox chess?
No. Although it uses familiar chess pieces and a familiar board, the royal piece and starting arrangement are changed. Those changes alter check, king safety, castling-related ideas, and tactical priorities.
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