Tactics are short sequences built on an immediate feature of the position, such as two attacked targets or a line between valuable pieces. Forks, pins, and skewers turn piece activity into a concrete question: what must move, and what is left behind? The names matter less than checking forcing moves and defenders before committing.
| Rank | a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | a8, empty | b8, empty | c8, empty | d8, empty | black rook on e8 | f8, empty | black king on g8 | h8, empty |
| 7 | a7, empty | b7, empty | c7, empty | d7, empty | e7, empty | f7, empty | g7, empty | h7, empty |
| 6 | a6, empty | b6, empty | c6, empty | d6, empty | e6, empty | f6, empty | g6, empty | h6, empty |
| 5 | a5, empty | b5, empty | c5, empty | white knight on d5 | e5, empty | f5, empty | g5, empty | h5, empty |
| 4 | a4, empty | b4, empty | c4, empty | d4, empty | e4, empty | f4, empty | g4, empty | h4, empty |
| 3 | a3, empty | b3, empty | c3, empty | d3, empty | e3, empty | f3, empty | g3, empty | h3, empty |
| 2 | a2, empty | b2, empty | c2, empty | d2, empty | e2, empty | f2, empty | g2, empty | h2, empty |
| 1 | a1, empty | b1, empty | c1, empty | d1, empty | e1, empty | f1, empty | white king on g1 | h1, empty |
Forks attack two or more targets
A fork is one move that attacks two or more enemy pieces or other valuable targets. Knights are famous because their jumps cannot be blocked. A knight on e5 attacks c4, c6, d3, f3, g4, g6, d7, and f7; if two squares hold valuable pieces, it creates a double attack. Any piece can fork.
A fork works only if the opponent has no stronger reply. Check whether the attacker can be captured, whether a target can move with check, and whether your king is exposed. A pawn can fork a rook and bishop, but calculate the recapture first.
- Look for forcing knight jumps, pawn attacks, and checks that attack a second target.
- Count the value and safety of both targets, not just the number of attacked pieces.
- After the fork, decide which target the opponent can save and what you can take next.
Pins restrict a piece along a line
A pin is a line attack on a piece that cannot move freely because something valuable behind it would be exposed. A bishop on b5 can pin a knight on c6 to the king on e8 when d7 is empty: the knight is the only piece blocking that diagonal. This absolute pin means the knight cannot legally move if it exposes its king.
A relative pin places a less valuable piece in front of a queen or other target. The piece may legally move because the king is safe, but it can lose material. Do not treat every pinned piece as immobile: test the king exposure and look for a move that creates a stronger threat.
Skewers reverse the order of the attack
A skewer attacks the more valuable piece first, forcing it to move and exposing a less valuable piece behind it. Checks are common because the king must respond. Imagine a white bishop on c4 checking a black king on e6 along c4–d5–e6, with a queen on g8 continuing through f7. After the king moves, the bishop may take the queen if the path stays clear. The pattern is valuable target in front, second target behind.
Rooks and queens skewer along ranks and files; bishops and queens do so diagonally. Check whether the rear target is defended and whether your line piece can safely make the follow-up capture.
A repeatable tactic checklist
Start calculations with checks, captures, and direct threats. Ask whether one move attacks two targets, lines up a king with a valuable piece, or restricts a defender. Calculate the opponent’s best reply, not the hoped-for reply. A tactic works only when the final position is legal and the gain survives counterplay.
Defend by protecting valuable pieces, moving an absolute pin only when the king stays safe, and avoiding loose pieces. Against a line attack, consider interposing, moving the rear target, or breaking the line. Practice one position at a time and name the motif afterward.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between a fork and a skewer?
A fork attacks multiple targets from one move, while a skewer attacks a valuable piece first and exposes a less valuable piece behind it when the front piece moves. In both, calculate whether the follow-up capture is safe.
What is the difference between an absolute and relative pin?
An absolute pin exposes the king, so the pinned piece cannot legally move if that reveals check. A relative pin exposes a queen or other valuable target; the piece may move legally but could lose material.
Further reading: Lichess Practice