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Tactics

Fork

One piece attacking two or more enemy pieces at the same time.

A fork wins material because the opponent can only save one of the attacked pieces. Knights are the classic forking piece — they jump over defenders and hit squares no other piece can — but pawns, bishops, rooks, and queens all fork too.

The most brutal version is the royal fork: a knight check that also attacks the queen. The king must move out of check, and the queen falls.

Why it matters

Forks are the most common way ordinary games are decided. Spotting them for yourself and seeing them coming from your opponent is the first big jump in strength.

The mistake everyone makes

Lining your king and queen (or two rooks) up a knight's move apart. That geometry is exactly what a knight fork feeds on.

Related terms

Pin
A piece that cannot move without exposing a more valuable piece behind it.
Skewer
A pin in reverse — the valuable piece is in front and must move, exposing the piece behind.
Discovered attack
Moving one piece to unveil an attack from a piece behind it.
Tactic
A short, forcing sequence of moves that wins material or delivers mate.

See Fork in your own games

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