Chess Tactics
Learn winning patterns that force your opponent to lose material. Master these tactics to win more games!
Essential Tactical Patterns
Fork
Attack two or more pieces at once with a single piece. Knights are especially good at forking!
Example: A knight on e4 attacks a queen on d2 and a rook on f6 simultaneously.
Pin
Attack a piece that cannot move without exposing a more valuable piece behind it.
Example: A bishop pins a knight to the king. The knight cannot move!
Skewer
Attack a valuable piece that must move, exposing a piece behind it to capture.
Example: A rook attacks the queen. When she moves, the rook behind her is captured.
Discovered Attack
Move one piece to reveal an attack from another piece behind it.
Example: Move a knight to attack the queen while uncovering a bishop attack on the king!
Back Rank Mate
Checkmate on the back rank when the king is trapped by its own pawns.
Example: Rook or queen delivers checkmate on the 8th rank with no escape squares.
Double Attack
Create two threats at once that cannot both be defended.
Example: A check that also attacks an undefended rook in the corner.
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to learn tactics is by solving puzzles. Try our daily puzzles to improve!