Knights on the rim are grim and chances are slim. Another reason knights do not belong on the side is because they get thirsty. Also, please do not post more then one topic more than once!
Ka3 always bad idea?
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Of course not, it depends on the specific situation. A Knight on its way to c4 could go through a3 for example.
It says Ka3, not Na3 so this is about the king moves to a3? Then I must say it is kind of unlikely in the middle game, may be very meaningful in the endgame, and pointless in the opening.
The dude said K-a3, not N-a3! Do you guys not know how to read?
Then he makes a non-sequitur about the Knight in the centre or the rook file but still, the guy obviously wrote King to a3. If he meant Knight he would have said "Kt." Plus the guy is speaking Engrish.
Na3 is the ''Sodium'' yes.
As Shadownight says there are occasions when Nh3 is useful. For some lines in nimzo-indian games for example.
Mainly the answer to your question is yes, berrychess. From the side of the board the knight attacks four squares whereas from nearer the centre it attacks eight squares. Plus from the centre of the board two or three of the squares attacked are significant squares whereas more of the squares attacked from the side of the board are remote, ill frequented byeways of little significance. Also from nearer the centre of the board the knight can be manoevred elsewhere more quickly. Finally at the edge of the board a knight is more easily dominated by a bishop - that is denied any square at all that it can move to without moving into a position it can be taken.
So unless you need to move to the edge of the board as part of some specific manoevre, or the squares attacked from the edge of the board have become very important, the knight is nearly always better placed nearer the centre
Yes, but the question was about Ka3. And the move number was not specified. Why do you all keep reading into what he said as "1. Na3"?
John
I am glad you are interested in the King. It is an interesting piece.
Contrary to the knight it rather likes being near the edge of the board. There are less squares there from which it can be attacked and it takes longer for enemy pieces to reach it. So don't trouble too much to avoid borders with your king. (:P)
Is it justified moving Ka3 in any case? I understand knight has more power when closer to center, but are borders just a thing to avoid always?