Chapter 06 · Beginner+ · 5 min
The fork
A fork attacks two targets at once. Your opponent may save one, but the other often gets the bill.
Explanation
A fork attacks two targets at the same time.
The fork often forces the opponent to choose what they want to save. If your knight attacks both the king and the queen, the king must be saved, and the queen may fall. It's the kind of moment where the knight smiles inwardly.
Knights make a lot of forks, but they are not the only ones. A queen, a rook, a bishop or even a pawn can attack two targets at once. Look for moves that create multiple threats.
To remember
A fork attacks two or more targets at the same time.
Classic error
Only look at the most obvious attacked piece and miss the second threat.
Player Tip
Knights are kings of the fork, but queens, rooks, bishops and pawns can also do so.