Chess Tactics Flashcards
6 cards from real Chess practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Chess Tactics flashcards as text
What is a 'fork' in chess?
Answer: One piece attacks two or more enemy pieces simultaneously
A fork occurs when one piece attacks two or more enemy pieces at the same time, forcing the opponent to choose which piece to save.
What is a 'pin' in chess?
Answer: Attacking a piece that cannot move without exposing a more valuable piece behind it
A pin is a tactic where a piece is attacked and cannot move without exposing a more valuable piece (or the king) behind it to capture.
What is a 'skewer' in chess tactics?
Answer: Attacking a valuable piece that must move, exposing a less valuable piece behind it
A skewer attacks a high-value piece, forcing it to move and allowing capture of the less valuable piece behind it — the opposite of a pin.
What is 'discovered check'?
Answer: Moving one piece to reveal a check from another piece behind it
A discovered check occurs when moving one piece uncovers a check from another piece behind it on the same file, rank, or diagonal.
What is a 'zwischenzug'?
Answer: An unexpected in-between move before the expected response
A zwischenzug (German for 'in-between move') is an unexpected intermediate move that changes the expected sequence, often gaining a tempo or material.
What is a 'back rank checkmate'?
Answer: Checkmate delivered on the 1st or 8th rank when the king has no escape squares
A back rank checkmate occurs when a rook or queen delivers checkmate on the first or eighth rank because the king is trapped behind its own pawns.