Why knights?

A Note from the CEO

“My favorite piece is the knight.”

I hear this all the time. And honestly? I get it.

People often say it with a sense of admiration: “It’s just so powerful.”

But is it? Kind of….The knight is worth three points—just like the bishop. It doesn’t dominate the board in the way the queen does, and it can’t control an entire file like the rook.

But here’s what sets the knight apart: it moves differently. It’s the only piece on the board that leaps—literally jumps—over others. While every other piece is bound to the straight lines of the board, the knight moves in an L-shape, carving its own path, often catching opponents off guard. That unpredictability? That’s power.

Strategically, the knight is a favorite. You’ll see it used in logos, campaigns, and chess metaphors everywhere. Want to evoke bold thinking or unconventional leadership? Use a knight.

But I think the deeper reason people gravitate toward the knight isn’t just its tactics—it’s because we relate to it.

The knight represents something in all of us: the desire to be different. To move through the world in our own way. It doesn’t matter that it’s not the most powerful piece on the board—it feels the most personal. It’s unique. It refuses to follow the same rules as everyone else.

And don’t get me started on the "horsey" comments (please—classrooms everywhere, I beg you). It may look like a horse, but it's so much more than that.

The knight teaches us that being valuable doesn’t always look like being the strongest or the fastest. Sometimes, value lies in being unpredictable. In choosing the unexpected route. In embracing our individuality—even when it doesn't make sense on paper.

We all want to find that part of ourselves—the thing that sets us apart.

Chess gives us a language for that. The knight reminds us: your path doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s to be powerful.

xx,

Ashley Lynn Priore

Quote of the Week

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” - Oscar Wilde, famous author (he must have loved knights)

Coming Up in the Pod

Leading with Impact: Jonathan Pride on Transformation & Empowerment

Jonathan Pride, VP of Field Operations at NPower, shares his journey from military service to corporate America and the nonprofit sector. He discusses leadership, personal growth, and NPower’s mission to create opportunities for veterans and underserved young adults in tech. Jonathan also explores the themes of transformation in his book, Caterpillars Don’t Fly, offering powerful insights on unlocking potential, making an impact, and leading with purpose.

Puzzle Solution:

Kxh6, g2

Nf4+ (fork & check, perfect combo!)