Answers.Body: <p>The picture already answers the question:</p>
  <p>If you play any other move but <strong>...Bh8</strong>, for example <strong>...d6</strong>, White will answer <strong>g4</strong> and trap your knight. Some exchanges can be thrown in before he can capture (<strong>dxe5</strong>, <strong>Qxd1</strong> etc.), but ultimately, there's no escape.</p>
  <p><strong>...Bh8</strong> by itself is indeed not a desirable move (moves a developed piece again, to a square with less influence), but here it's a tactical necessity to save that knight (which is more valuable than losing a move or two) by vacating an escape square.</p>
  <p>Since White is behind in development, Black can actually afford to give that tempo without major damage (+0.31, says the computer).</p>
  
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Answers.Body: <p>The knight on h5 has no retreat squares, which means the threat of White playing g2-g4 is on the cards. The move <strong>... Bh8</strong> then frees up the g7 square so the knight has a retreat square should it be attacked.</p>
  
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Body: <p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/wmwBY.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/wmwBY.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
  <p>I don't understand how that move is a good move, much less the best move according to this chess.com analysis.</p>
  
Tags: <opening><analysis><beginner><kings-indian>
Title: Why is bishop to h8 the best move in this position?
ThreadText: # Why is bishop to h8 the best move in this position?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2021-01-19)
  
  [![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/wmwBY.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/wmwBY.jpg)
  
  I don't understand how that move is a good move, much less the best move according to this chess.com analysis.
  
  **Tags:** opening, analysis, beginner, kings-indian
  
  
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  ## 2 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2021-01-19. Score: 1 | Accepted answer
  
  The picture already answers the question:
  
  If you play any other move but **...Bh8**, for example **...d6**, White will answer **g4** and trap your knight. Some exchanges can be thrown in before he can capture (**dxe5**, **Qxd1** etc.), but ultimately, there's no escape.
  
  **...Bh8** by itself is indeed not a desirable move (moves a developed piece again, to a square with less influence), but here it's a tactical necessity to save that knight (which is more valuable than losing a move or two) by vacating an escape square.
  
  Since White is behind in development, Black can actually afford to give that tempo without major damage (+0.31, says the computer).
  
  
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  ### Answer by username_2 on 2021-01-19. Score: 6
  
  The knight on h5 has no retreat squares, which means the threat of White playing g2-g4 is on the cards. The move **... Bh8** then frees up the g7 square so the knight has a retreat square should it be attacked.
  
  
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