Forks and tactics
A fork is one piece attacking two enemy pieces at once. The other player can save only one. Knights are great at forks. Two more tactics: a pin (a piece can't move without exposing a more valuable piece behind it) and a skewer (a valuable piece is attacked and must move, exposing a piece behind it).
- A fork with check is the strongest: the king must move first.
Teach it
- DoSet up the board: black king e8, black rook a8, white knight d5.
- Say“A fork attacks two pieces at once, like the two points of a fork.”
- Ask“Where can the knight attack the king and the rook together?”
- Child“On c7!”
- Say“Black must move the king, and the knight takes the rook.”
Your turn!
White to move. Find the knight fork.
Three quick questions
What is a fork?
Which piece is famous for forks?
After a fork with check, what must the other player do first?
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White to move. Where does the knight fork the king and rook?
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Can the queen attack the king and the rook at once?
Answers: Find the fork
- c7.
- Yes: queen e4 checks the king and attacks the rook on g6.
Questions parents ask
What is a fork in chess?
A move where one piece attacks two or more enemy pieces at the same time, so the opponent can't save them all.
What is a pin in chess?
A piece can't move, or shouldn't, because a more valuable piece (often the king) stands behind it on the same line.
Rules checked against FIDE Laws of Chess, taking effect from 1 January 2023 on . Found something to fix? Tell us on the contact page.