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Learn · Tactical patterns

Fork

One piece attacks two or more enemy pieces at once.

White to play · rated 1052

Find the move

Work it out first, then step through the answer.

Your move
Move 1 of 3
Move 2 of 3
Move 3 of 3
Explanations written by Peek AI

How to spot it

  1. 1

    Look for two targets

    Loose pieces, the king and the queen. Note the squares that hit two of them.

  2. 2

    Check every checking square

    A check that also hits something is a fork. The check comes first.

  3. 3

    Knights first, but not only

    Pawns, queens and even kings fork too.

Train forks

Pick the pattern in Puzzles. The board freezes, so you see the whole line first.

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Related patterns

All patterns
Double checkTwo pieces give check at once, so the king has to move.
Discovered attackMoving one piece uncovers an attack by the piece behind it.
AttractionLure an enemy piece, often the king, onto a square where it’s hit.

See it before you play it

60 of every 100 lost games are a missed tactic.Free to start, no card needed.

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