Nightrider (chess)

The nightrider moves and captures any number of steps as a knight (2 vertically and 1 horizontally, or 2 horizontally and 1 vertically) in the same direction. Intervening landing squares must be vacant. For example, a nightrider on b2 can reach the empty square c4 and continue forward to empty squares d6 and e8, but it cannot jump over a pawn on f4 to reach h5. ==Value==

The nightrider is worth about 5 pawns, similar to the rook. It can control up to 12 squares on an 8×8 board as opposed to the rook's 14. It is stronger than the rook in the opening and middlegame, as it can more easily maneuver around pieces than the rook, but the rook is stronger in the endgame. While king and rook vs. king can , king and nightrider vs. king cannot checkmate at all. The nightrider, like the knight, can jump over blockades in closed positions and is good at delivering forks. The nightrider can triangulate while the knight cannot. King, nightrider, and knight vs. king can force checkmate. ==Observations==

The king together with two knights cannot win the endgame against a lone king (see Two knights endgame), but the king together with a knight and a nightrider can. This is because, unlike the knight, the nightrider can gain a tempo. Solution: 1. Ne7! Ka7 2. Ng3 Ka8 3. Ne4 Ka7 4. Sb5+ Ka8 5. Nd2# With nightriders on the board, a mutual discovered perpetual check is possible. A possible continuation would be: 1. Kd3+ Kc5+ 2. Kc3+ Kd5+ 3. Kd3+ Kc5+, etc. In the diagrammed position, 1...e5 2.fxe6+ (capturing en passant) results in triple check. ==References==