Chess Tactics

A tactic of threat the involves targeting of the opponent's weakest square. Often, these squares are protected only by the king (especially in openings).

Includes ideas such as sacrifices to the surrounding pawns of a castled position, pawn storms, and other possible themes.

This mate type is when either the rook or Queen attacks the enemy king while the king is trapped against his side of the board (either 1st or 8th rank), often by his own pieces.

This type of pattern refers to any checkmate sequence such as: King and Queen vs. King; King and Rook vs. King; two Rooks vs. King; and two Bishops vs. King.

A term used to describe the deliberate sacrifice of material with the goal of "clearing" either a square diagonal, or file. The most common type opens a critical diagonal.

Deliberately sacrificing a pawn to open a square for higher powered piece (e.g., Knight).

A distraction to shift an opponent's attention away from a more critical objective. Often requires a sacrifice or forcing move of some kind. Similar to a deflection.

A tactic used to distract an opponent's piece from doing its standing responsibility, such as defending an important square, pinning a piece, or blocking an open file. Often requires a sacrifice or forcing move of some kind. Similar to a decoy.

Moving your pieces into position to guard and protect either a piece, a square, or a coming threat. Often seen in puzzles where the objective is a draw.

The move captures an enemy piece when either one or more of your own pieces is already hanging (i.e., undefended). When material will be lost regardless, these situations provide an opportunity to take out an enemy piece along the way. Typically occurs when both white and black have pieces under attack.

An attack that happens when one piece moves out of the way, opening a line for another attacking piece to threaten (either Checkmate or for material).

Checking the enemy king with two different pieces in the same move. The king must always move to safety, as it is not possible to block or capture the threats simultaneously.

The capture of one pawn by another following a two square advance from the 2/7 rank. This tactic is best used alongside other tactical themes, such as double or discovered attacks.

Any tactic in the last part of the game, typically believed to start when most of the pieces have been traded, especially after the Queens have been removed.

A small sacrifice used to achieve something greater; specifically used to refer to the sacrifice of a rook for a minor piece (i.e., a Knight or Bishop) and is usually only one necessary step along a forced sequence.

This attack threatens two pieces at once; a primary advantage of this tactic is that it is hard to defend both squares at once. This attack may be made by one or two pieces.

This attack threatens two pieces at once; a primary advantage of this tactic is that it is hard to defend both squares at once. This attack must be made by one piece.

another way of saying an undefended or "loose" piece. Any tactic that involves the taking of one of these pieces.

To move a piece between two other attacking pieces when at least one of those attacking pieces is an opponent's piece.

A position where the King is trapped & will soon be checkmated. The area of the board where the King is tied down, with the space closing down tighter and tighter. The escape paths are often cut off by relatively quiet, non-checking moves.

Forcing a currently engaged piece (e.g., a Bishop guarding against a Checkmate) to pursue a different responsibility (e.g., preventing a passed pawn), thus disengaging from its previous responsibility.

A tactic that involves promoting a pawn.

A situation where one player can check the opponent's king forever, without the ability to checkmate it.

When a piece cannot move because it is blocking/guarding a more valuable piece behind it from being captured. This tactic may be implemented by any long-range piece (i.e., Queen, Rook, or Bishop).

Giving up the Queen with the distinct purpose of achieving something more valuable. Typically, one move among a series to checkmate the opponent's King, or at least win back material at the end of the combination.

Involves eliminating the critical defensive piece that otherwise stands in the way of achieving a much greater goal.

The act of giving up material with the goal of getting something else in return (either more material at a later point, time to develop, or an open square).

A tactic that forces a series of moves that converts an advantage into a more easily winning position. This tactic is used to convert an advantage into a victory.

A move which threatens a valuable piece (such as a King or Queen), forcing that piece to move away and allowing the attacking piece to take a less valuable piece behind the valuable one. It is the opposite of a pin in a number of ways (since the more valuable piece is in front).

A checkmate by a knight against a King when it has no way out, as all escapes squares are blocked by its own pieces (often occurs in the corners of the board).

When a player whose turn it is has no legal moves but is not in check; this leads to a draw.

This tactic is a basic check mate that occurs simply when a Queen directly assaults a King to deliver checkmate, and finds itself receiving protection from one other piece; this supporting piece can be a pawn, Knight, Bishop, or King.

A piece with either no moves or no moves that avoid the loss of material; typically the result of a forced sequence of moves.

When a passed pawn is converted to something less than a Queen; this tactic occurs when there are special reasons that a player needs a weaker piece rather than a Queen (almost always a Knight, since it is the only piece whose move is not already reflected by the Queen's abilities).

A position/puzzle where tactics are arise from the exposed position of the enemy King; often leads to that King being put in a mating net of some kind.

A rare tactic in which a repeated discovered check allows one piece to go on a rampage, capturing multiple enemy pieces.

This tactic occurs when one of your long-range pieces attacks through one of your opponent's pieces to indirectly attack/threaten or defend beyond it. This tactic often occurs along with the theme of a back rank mate.

A german word that literally translate to "move compulsion." This is a situation where every move a player could make causes him to lose the game (or at least significantly worsen his position).

A german word meaning "in-between move." An often unexpected move inserted in between an otherwise forcing sequence of moves. This tactic generally changes the result of the sequence. A desperado is a powerful example of this tactic as well.