Often the ruler of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania had a blood son-heir. Of all the sons, the Grand Duke would bring the son closest to his soul, hoping that he would continue to move in the outlined political direction. For Hiedymin such a son was Yaunut; Kiejstut and Alhierd were preparing Vitaut and Jahaila to inherit power, Žyhimont Aŭhust was chosen by his father to be the next Grand Duke long before his death. Sometimes it happened that the life paths of the duke's sons bypassed the capital and the supreme power: Svalehot, the son of Vitien, left one name in history, and Andrei, the first son of Alhierd, suffered parental disfavor.
From a young age, the chosen heir together with his father joined the military campaigns, hardened courage and strength. When, for example, Vitaut first fought the Crusaders, he was 13 years old. In Belarusian and Litvin chess, a figure of an already experienced warrior and politician stands next to the kniaź, who helps the ruler to enter the palace and establish himself on the throne.
Kniažyč starts the game to the left of the kniaź: d1 - white; f9 - black. It can move in any direction, including diagonally, by one or two squares. It has the right to cross the throne and stand on it, fighting for power, but only if the condition is met: in the palace - not further than two squares from the throne - there is a kniaź.
When the kniaź leaves the field, the kniažyč takes over the supreme power and control of the army. Its coronation is a separate move of the party.
If the kniažyč is no longer on the field, a ratnik who reached the edge of chessboard and thus proved his ingenuity can become a new kniažyč.