Step 1 · Two targets at once
White to move
6k1/pprp1ppp/1q6/8/8/2N5/PPPQ1PPP/6K1 w - - 0 1Look for a move that attacks two targets. Check whether the opponent can capture your attacker or answer with a stronger threat.
Where can the knight attack the queen and the rook at once?
Quick check
- b5
- d5
- e4
Show the correct answer
Correct answer: d5 — From d5 the knight hits the queen on b6 and the rook on c7 — and no black piece can take it there.
- b5 — From b5 the knight would attack the rook — but the queen on b6 takes it first.
- e4 — From e4 the knight attacks nothing Black cares about. A fork needs two targets.
Step 2 · Attack two at once
White to move
Explore the moves
Starting position
Read the full continuation
- 1.Nd5 — Knight to d5: queen and rook attacked at once. Black can save only one.
FEN
6k1/pprp1ppp/1q6/8/8/2N5/PPPQ1PPP/6K1 w - - 0 1From d5 your knight would attack the queen on b6 and the rook on c7. Move the knight.
The move: Nc3-d5
Common mistake: No fork yet. The knight on c3 reaches d5 in one jump, and from there it attacks both the queen and the rook.
Black saves the queen
Black to move
6k1/pprp1ppp/1q6/3N4/8/8/PPPQ1PPP/6K1 b - - 1 1Black moves the queen to c5 — but the rook on c7 is still attacked.
Step 3 · Collect
White to move
Explore the moves
Starting position
Read the full continuation
- 2.Nxc7 — Knight takes rook. Black's queen will take the knight back — but a rook is worth five and a knight three. The fork won material.
FEN
6k1/pprp1ppp/8/2qN4/8/8/PPPQ1PPP/6K1 w - - 2 2Take the rook.
The move: Nd5xc7
Common mistake: The rook on c7 is still there. Knight takes c7.
What you learned
Look for a move that attacks two targets. Check whether the opponent can capture your attacker or answer with a stronger threat.
Practise this idea
Put this lesson into practice with these puzzles from the public-domain collection.
- Forks — 12 positions